Shopping With... Swimwear Designer Brette Sandler

By Suzanne Singer
June 7, 2010

Ladies…what’s the single most difficult clothing item to purchase? Swimsuits!!!! The challenge of finding a suit that is comfortable yet sophisticated with a flattering fit can make even the most fashion-savvy woman overwhelmed. That’s where the aptly named swimwear and resortwear designer Brette Sandler steps in.

Sandler went to Parsons in NYC, where she wrote her senior thesis on, you guessed it, swimwear. Her work there catapulted her then unknown line to stores such as Barneys New York, Calypso and Searle. After a two year internship at Michael Kors, Sandler made the leap and properly launched the Brette Sandler swimwear line in 2005, at the ripe old age of 22. Today, you can find her suits in magazines such as Elle, InStyle and W, and on celebs like Kate Bosworth, Leighton Meester and Heidi Klum. There is no question that Sandler’s experience coupled with her tender years gives her a unique perspective on an age-old dilemma.

So, what are the swimwear trends this season? Sandler reveals, “Big graphic prints, cut-outs, and forever retro. This season I went totally art deco and retro—fun graphic prints, and as always chic hardware detailing—vintage pins, gold studs, and grommets were added to all the suits.” This mix of fashion with function as well as the mantra “swimsuits that flatter the figure and flaunt a chic sense of style,” have made the collection immensely popular. In Sandler's bid to dominate beaches, she's even designed a UV protective beach hat with Hat Attack, in honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, with 25% of proceeds benefiting The Skin Cancer Foundation.

Sandler travels frequently to find vintage inspiration and the perfect details to add to her signature feminine, yet edgy line. Her travels aren't the only aid Sandler uses in her design process; eBay plays a huge role as well. “I love eBay!" she says. "I use eBay a lot when working on product development for my collections, or searching for inspiration. I always buy the vintage bikinis, which I have started to collect. I also love to collect the old vintage Singer patterns, that I sometimes actually cut and play around with on my sewing machine. I [also] buy lots of 50 or more vintage scarves for $10 and manipulate the prints to make them my own.”

Sandler uses eBay for non-work searching as well. She explains, “I can spend hours searching for things I never knew I needed… eBay is also one of my favorite places to find great things when I am looking to redecorate my apartment. You can find great Hollywood Regency chairs, and mid-century modern furniture and reupholster or repaint! My apartment, which is also my workspace has to be a place where I am visually stimulated so I can be inspired to create and design. I am also a die hard Soul-Cycler and found my spinning shoes on eBay for a steal—they get me through the grueling workout!”

** Images provided by Brette Sandler. **