When searching for the perfect One Piece Portland or Vintage Inspired Retro Halter look for these suits at the Swimwear Downtown Portland Boutique and the NE Portland Swimsuit Boutique.

Attention: I’m declaring it Aquamusical Week!

Click Here to see the first of a series of Hilary the Intern’s favorite Aquamusicals.  Today’s video is an Esther Williams classic, Princess Mermaid, a beautiful film that showcases beautiful 1950s style swimwear in the art of elaborate synchronized swimming.  This style is the inspiration for the Popina Retro Halter Suits that we will showcase this week.

Tune in for more to come!

Below is the Vintage Retro Halter Bathing Suit in Olive

Vintage Swimwear available to you by Pamela Levenson designer at Popina located in Portland. The 1950s Vintage style of swimsuits is back in style in a big way. These elegant one piece suits are both casual and have you looking stunning in the summertime. Whether you are just relaxing by the water, doing water aerobics, playing water polo, competing in a underwater jewelry-making contest, this suit is capable of it all.  Remember to check out the website and find the design that suits you.

BootsnAll Travel and Popina Swimwear — the largest women’s swimwear store in the Pacific Northwest featuring the Retro Swimwear Popina brand, are teaming up to host a monthly event for Portland’s First Thursday!  Ever dream of visiting Italy or maybe you have visited & are looking for the latest information on Italy Travel.  Or maybe you are just looking for some traveling tips to Europe in general!

Plan your Italy trip or European adventure with BootsnAll Travel & Popina Swimwear’s First Thursday travel meetup.
Jessica Spiegel is a staff writer for Bootsnall and Italophile.  Jessica is in the process of getting the necessary paperwork to move to Italy. Jessica writes BootsnAll’s Italy travel guide, WhyGo Italy (italytravelguide.com) as well as for several other sites under the BootsnAll umbrella.

So come out to Popina’s new location in the Pearl — the largest women’s swimwear store in the Pacific Northwest featuring the made in Oregon swimwear brand Popina — on Thursday, July 7, 2011 to learn how you can escape the cubicle, chat travel with the BootsnAll Travel crew, plan your next getaway with Popina’s retro-inspired swimwear, and enjoy complementary beverages courtesy of Kona Brewing Company and Vitamin Water! Giveaways include:
-2 First Class upgrades on Alaska Airlines
-$75 travel voucher from Alaska Airlines
-an Ellington travel bag

To register for this free event just RSVP on Facebook

More information available here:
http://www.facebook.com/First Thursday Travel Series/

First Thursday: 6:30-8:30pm, Thursday, July 7, 2011

Popina Swimwear Downtown Portland | Pearl District

Retro Swimwear by Popina brings you all the classic swimsuits for the stylish retro look this summer.

Popina has Volcom Bikinis at the Swimwear Downtown Portland Boutique and also the local spot NE Portland Swimsuit Boutique.

Below are photos of Volcom Swimwear.

Volcom’s philosophy is to clothe the youth so they can feel free to rebel against the establishments that suppress them. Volcom supports a family of artists, musician skateboarders, surfers that defy rules the world hands to them. This way of life gave way to creative design that encompasses life full of freedom and craziness in the form of our clothing.

Where do you rebel?

Finding the perfect dress can be a challenging task, but Mabel and Zora can make it a little easier.  Whether you need a dress to wear to a wedding, for a rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, baby shower, party, date night or just to romp around in the sun in, Mabel and Zora has you covered.

With collections by Lilly Pulitzer, Trina Turk, Milly, Veronica M and more they have the retro and resort fashion stocked year round.  Owner, Tiffany Bean, has recently started designing her own collection that customers can’t seem to get enough of.  Inspired by Doris Day and James Bond films, her styles have a classic, clean, 1960s feel to them that translates perfectly into today’s trends.

The Doris Dress featured here has a cream cowl neck top with pool blue pencil skirt in ponte, perfect for any occasion and is available in brown and cream as well.

Hot spot for Retro Swimwear, Popina Swim brings you yet another classy collection of bathing suits from ViX Bikinis.  You can find them in the Swimwear Downtown Portland Boutique and also the local spot NE Portland Swimsuit Boutique.

Below are photos of the ViX Bikinis.

ViX’s name comes the beautiful Brazilian beach city of Vitoria. Paula Hermanny, designer at ViX, used to roam the Brazilian markets with her grandmother where she taught her to love the rich, vibrant fabrics of Brazil.  Born from a family line of stylish, beautiful women, Paula has been a lover of beauty and fashion to this day.

Paula gives a true gift of sophistication to the women that want classically styled in bikinis.  This designer is known as a traveler who journeys around the world finding inspiration for ViX’s style.  Her open mind and free spirit are so clearly reflected in her exotically designed suits.  Wearing her designs make you feel like you are joining her on her exotic travels.  I also heard eating her Brazilian cooked meals is a pretty delicious experience, too.

Summer is almost here and we know that the perfect fitting Popina swimsuit isn’t the only piece you’ll need to get “summer certified”. We absolutely love the 2011 summer selection at local Portland boutique, Shop Adorn. Shop Adorn carries hard to find brands such as Siwy, Fluxus, Prairie Underground, House of Harlow 1960, LA Made, Obey and KUT from the Kloth.

This Portland boutique carefully selects pieces with impeccable fabrics and cuts, offering the utmost quality in clothing. Shop Adorn owner Nicole Whitesell has an eye for unique yet sensible fashion that will prepare you for any occasion.

Here is a handpicked collection of items from Shop Adorn, perfect for your next summer getaway!

House of Harlow 1960 Jordanna Sunglasses

LA Made Prairie Dress

Paige Jeans Jimmy Jimmy Shorts

Prairie Underground Asymmetrical Wrap Dress

House of Harlow 1960 Sunburst Ring

Looking for Dotti Beach Cover Ups?  The Swimwear Downtown Portland Boutique and also the local spot NE Portland Swimsuit Boutique have you…well, covered.  

Don’t dirty up your cute sundresses with all that sand and salt water after frolicking on the beach!  Save the sundresses for the mojito bar!  I mean…rum and mint would smell a lot better if you spilled that on your dress instead, wouldn’t it?

Below are photos of the Dotti Beach Cover Ups. I love how you can just see a taste of the sexy swimwear underneath.  Classy.

Classy cover-ups are perfect thing to throw on when strutting to and from the beach.

Popina has some really great Dotti Beach Cover-ups in the shop!  They complement any style, add just a touch of class, and don’t take up more than a couple bras worth of room in the suitcase.  For a well-planned trip, come to Popina in the Pearl or the Northeast shop for this often forgotten essential.

Nike Sport Swimwear can be located in the Swimwear Downtown Portland Boutique and also the local spot NE Portland Swimsuit Boutique.

Below are photos of the Nike Sport Swimwear.

At Popina we understand that wearing high quality name brand sport swimwear doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style.  Olympic Volleyball champs Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh taught us that back in ‘08.  That’s why we selected Nike’s swimwear to add to our collection because we know our customers like to occasionally get down with kick-ass beach sports like volleyball, Frisbee and body surfing. The pictures show Nike swimwear as a look for a class of women that exist beyond luxury and glamour - they know how to rock the beach lifestyle and stay fit, too.  Just take a step into a life style of comfortable styles from Nike.

We would just like to say: thanks, Nike.  Love, Popina.

Find Seafolly Swimwear in the Swimwear Downtown Portland Boutique and also the local spot NE Portland Swimsuit Boutique.

Below are photos of the Seafolly Swimwear

Seafolly Swimwear from “The Lucky Country” of Australia brings us one of the most recognized swimwear and beach lifestyle brands around the world. Since 1975, Seafolly has been creating very fashion-forward designs. So take a swim in this billabong of fashion and glance at the new looks that dazzle Australia by storm with swimwear.

Even if you don’t swim, you’ll find that Seafolly looks particularly sexy on the beach or near the pool. The recent swimwear line features all the apparel you need for summer escapes, holidays and weekend getaways. Relax and enjoy what Seafolly can bring you while with family and friends, or peaceful getaways on your own.

Seafolly is seasonal fun fashion and has all the essentials: bikinis, one-piece swimsuits, cover-ups and clothing apparel along with an extensive accessories collection. 

Now, what you’ve all been waiting for, Hilary’s Top Ten Australian Slang Words and Phrases!!

10) Bathers : swimming costume

9) Bastard : term of endearment

8 ) Exy : expensive

7) Lippy : lipstick

6) Troppo, gone : to have escaped to a state of tropical madness; to have lost the veneer of civilization after spending too long in the tropics.

5) Lollies : sweets, candy

4) Cab Sav : Cabernet Sauvignon (my favorite wine grape)

3) She’ll be Apples: It’ll be all right

2) Bogan : person who takes little pride in his appearance, spends his days slacking and drinking beer. (I actually use this one A LOT).

1) Seafolly: Australian for hot swimsuits!!

Find Seafolly fashions at our Portland Locations, mate!