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2025 Fashion Swimwear Trends Preview
2025 Fashion Swimwear Trends Preview
In a world where trends are as fleeting as the weather, and overconsumption is bearing heavily on the planet, second-hand shopping is steadily gaining ground as the preferred option for fashion enthusiasts committed to reducing their carbon footprint. From vintage boutiques to online resale platforms, there’s a multitude of ways to get your preloved fix.   One individual who has mastered the art of finding hidden gems is FQ Friday Muse Olivia Spencer, who recently lent her styling skills to Dove Hospice in a campaign designed to alter perceptions of second-hand shopping. “I’ve always been an op-shopper, and I love the idea of giving new life to second-hand clothing, both for sustainability reasons, but also because there are so many treasures to be found,” says Spencer.  “I wanted to show how second hand clothing can have the gloss and glamour found elsewhere in fashion, and bust that myth that secondhand is less stylish.”  Over the course of a few days, Spencer sifted through styles at Dove Hospice stores throughout Tāmaki Makaurau, curating four looks to complement four different models and their unique personalities. Following the launch of the campaign, FQ sat down with Spencer to glean her insights on navigating the world of second-hand treasures.  Below, she gives us her top five tips to ensure every pre-loved purchase is a perfect match. It's All In the Details Details are key—ruffle trim, tie accents, and sleeves are the latest fashion to add some flair to your style. Ruffle details as seen via Profile by Gottex brings a feminine and flirty touch to any silhouette. Tie details, also known as the knot trend, are a fad that has been around within recent years and is here to stay for another season (yay!). Tie accents are the perfect way to show off your curves and get a tan while you’re at it. Bikini tops with sleeves are a hot trend to keep an eye out for from brands like Robin Piccone. From ruffled necklines to hemlines and tie details, try out this trend for your next look! Check out Michael Kors, BLEU, and Splendid for some key ruffle styles.  Let It Touch Make a statement in shiny and textured fabrics. Serve looks while in the sun in metallic fabric that will be an eye-catcher at the pool or beach. Textured fabrics such as ribbed knits have been a hit and are here to get you into the groove. Check out Body Glove, Nike Swim, and Rip Curl for featured pieces. 
10 Trendiest Bikini Styles for Your Next Beach Getaway
10 Trendiest Bikini Styles for Your Next Beach Getaway
Are you wondering how to look good in a bikini? We're here to guide you by providing the ultimate tricks to looking, and feeling beautiful while strolling along the beachfront. From the magic of dark colours to the allure of playful prints, we've got a treasure trove of tips to help you shine. Stick around to learn how to feel confident in a bikini. So, let's dive in and explore how to make you the star of the show! How to Look Great in a Bikini Stepping out in a bikini can be a transformative experience once you've found the style that complements your unique body shape. The key to looking and feeling great lies in understanding the dos and don'ts of swimwear. We'll focus on the former to help you accentuate your best features. Let's delve into some key suggestions so you can shine in your swimwear. Pick Dark Colours Dark colours, including black, are known for their slimming effects. They create an illusion of a more streamlined silhouette, making you look more toned. This is because dark hues absorb light, reducing the appearance of shadows and contours on the body. Furthermore, black and other dark colours exude a sense of elegance and sophistication, making them timeless choices for swimwear. Beyond just the aesthetic benefits, dark-coloured swimwear is versatile as it pairs well with almost any accessory or cover-up. The Capture Banded bikini top from Maryan Mehlhorn is a prime example of how dark colours can elevate your beach look. This bikini top showcases a beautiful black and white print with contrasting double bands under the bust. Choose Cover Ups And Wraps Cover-ups and wraps are essential for any beach-goer. They offer a quick way to transition from the water to a restaurant or a casual stroll along the boardwalk. The benefits of these garments are twofold: they provide modesty and protection from the sun while also adding a fashionable layer to your swimwear. A well-chosen cover-up can complement your bikini or swimsuit, accentuating your style without compromising on comfort. When selecting beach cover ups consider the fit. It should be loose enough to allow for air circulation but still highlight your figure. Look for details like embroidery, tassels, or unique hemlines to add a personal touch to your beach attire. Be Bold With A Halter Neck Designs Halter neck designs in swimwear are a bold choice that offers both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits. This style draws attention upwards towards the shoulders and face. The halter neck design also allows for adjustable support, making it a customisable option for various bust sizes. Halter neck bikinis provide practical advantages. They often come with wider straps that offer better support, making them a comfortable choice for all-day wear. They are the ideal option for women with larger busts. The Collective Halter Bandeau bikini top from Seafolly is an excellent embodiment of the halter neck design's boldness. Its vibrant hot pink shade ensures you stand out, while the option to tie the neck tie at the front for a strapless look provides optionality, suitable for learning how to tie a bikini.
How to style your go-anywhere, wear-with-anything sneaker
How to style your go-anywhere, wear-with-anything sneaker
As seen on FQ’s editorial assistant Amberley Colby, a simple white sneaker needn’t be boring to do the job. On the topic of the quintessential summer sneaker, a considered pair can elevate an outfit just as easily as it can dress it down for a casual cool appearance. Opting for ECCO’s Nouvelle silhouette to slip seamlessly in with Amberley’s personal edit, this particular style delivers sneaker comfort in a classic dress shoe shape (note its metal eyelets, thick textile laces, and textured leather finish).  How we style it: Sighted out and about in Tamaki Makaurau/Auckland’s central Grey Lynn and surrounding suburbs, Amberley styles her ECCO Nouvelles with dark denim separates by Kate Sylvester, Georgia Jay baguette bag, and oversized gold Jasmin Sparrow earrings for practical yet chic look. For a more on-duty look, she’ll style them with wide back trousers, a black blazer, and her monochromatic Paris Georgia heart singlet. The Nouvelles have a lugged sole which add a more edgy aesthetic, perfect for Amberley’s style.
Necessities: What you’ll find in our editors’ handbags
Necessities: What you’ll find in our editors’ handbags
Yu Mei Scrunchie Vi in ‘Day Blue’, $619. With a short ‘scunchie’ handle and a longer one, this works perfectly as a clutch or a cross body. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, $118, from Smith & Caughey’s. For me this foundation is light and easy to apply. It melts into the skin providing coverage but also lets your skin shine through. Kosas Revealer concealer, $54, from Mecca. A light concealer that you can easily reapply throughout the day.  Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in ‘Pillow Talk’, $59, from Mecca. Just my absolute favourite lipstick at the moment. I wear it most days, and currently am using a darker liner to accentuate the lip line.  Montblanc Notebook #146, $120. I would be lost without my Montblanc notebook to write down notes. Because it’s bright green it’s easy to find in the depth of a big bag, but equally brightens up any desk. Mother Earth Roasted and Salted Cashews. If I have a big day I’ll often take some cashews with me when I need an on-the-go snack.  The Virtue Holy Smoke Parfum 10ml, $69. The Virtues Holy Smoke (10ml) this pint sized pick fits in any bag/pocket. I adore the rich cinnamon bark, clove and tonka bean mix.  Bottega Veneta Sunglasses, $715, from Superette. I wear my Bottega Veneta sunglasses most days – so I wouldn’t go to Fashion Week without them. They’re the kind of choice that seem to go with everything…  July Power Bank. I used various iterations of a charging bank over the years and most barely charge your phone – however upon a top influencer-backed recommendation I’m ordering the July one asap. Let’s just hope it arrives in time…  Louise Dunn, Digital editor
Your guide to party dressing this celebration season
Your guide to party dressing this celebration season
Shimmer, spice, and everything nice. Consider this your guide to dressing up this party season. We don’t know about you, but when celebration season rolls around, the best part about receiving an invite to something is having an excuse to dress up. From Christmas lunches, to work functions and New Years’ parties, there are countless opportunities over the coming weeks to bring a bit of drama into your wardrobe. And while there’s no one-size-fits all for party dressing – unless there’s a specific dress code that is – we sure do love bringing in a bit of sparkle.   Be it a bedazzled accoutrement or a timeless LBD, we’ve rounded up just a few of the glamorous sartorial additions you might want to consider for your party wardrobe this season.  Read on below for our shoppable guide.
The knitwear collection you need to be investing in now
The knitwear collection you need to be investing in now
Established in 2013 by founder Christina Grant, Perriam is based in the idyllic village of Tarras in the South Island of Aotearoa. Born to a mother and father who owned a sheep station and wool shop in the region, Grant’s love affair with merino dates back as early as childhood, which ultimately led her to follow in their footsteps by founding her own luxury knitwear label.  About the Perriam spring/summer collection This week, the brand unveiled their latest collection for Spring/Summer 23/24 in what is their first ever collaboration with artist and designer Meg Gallagher, whose talents have seen her work in Australia for the likes of Camilla & Marc and Ksubi. With Gallagher helping to guide the direction of the collection, this range draws its tonal inspiration from the idyllic Central Otago landscape which Grant grew up in, featuring a delightfully earthy palette of warm nutmeg, sand, pine and hazelnut. Designed with timelessness and durability in mind, the collection champions a variety of fabrics and silhouettes, including the transeasonal Ultrafine Merino, and the soon-to-be-released Merino Cotton blend seen in crew and v-neck sweaters, collared jerseys, classic t-shirts and tanks. Moving into summer, there will also be several maxi and midi dress styles arriving in lightweight fabrications accompanied by an effortlessly-cool linen suit set that invites year round versatility. Ideal pieces to be worn alone or layered together, each style is crafted to encourage the wearer to pause and feel the fabric, savouring the tactile beauty that natural fibres and quality craftsmanship bring to the clothing.