The infamously revealing Brazilian bikini is not just for the super skinny any more. Following a burgeoning worldwide trend, the sexy beach wear is now being marketed to more voluptuous women.
The new stylish plus-size offerings are a relief to many women, who, until now, were relegated to hiding under tent-like bathing costumes.
“It used to be bikinis were only in tiny sizes that only skinny girls could fit into. But not everyone is built like a model,” said Elisangela Inez Soares, according to an Associated Press article. “Finally, it seems like people are beginning to realize that we’re not all Gisele,” said the 38-year-old mother of four, referring to willowy Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen.
According to the article, Lehona, an exclusively plus-size beachwear line, has been in high demand since its debut in 2010. And, proving that bigger women need not be wallflowers, the bathing suits come in eye-popping designs such as leopard, flowers and other dramatic prints.
Founder and designer Clarice Rebelatto said the line was inspired by her own clothing woes. “Honestly, the problem went way beyond just bikinis. In Brazil, it used to be that if you were even a little chunky, finding any kind of clothes in the right size was a real problem,” said Rebelatto, herself a size 10. “And I thought, ‘I’m actually not even that big compared to a lot of women out there, so if I have problems, what are they doing?'”
Brazil’s bikini revolution reflects a growing worldwide trend in fashion, propelled by increasing demand. In 2010, Marc Jacobs became the first major designer fashion house to announce its intent to launch a clothing line for women larger than size 14. Additionally, shows like “Project Runway” now feature designs that are catered to “ordinary”—read sizes 10-14—women and larger.