Surviving Swimsuit Season

There are many options in Prague to fit anyone’s fancy whether you need a budget suit from the likes of F&F or something a bit more expensive from the new multi-line store located in Dům Módy, Dessous Dessus.

Call of the wild

Wild about animal skin prints and sexy cut-out one pieces? Head to H&M or check out the very flattering Roseanna line from France which will ship your little number to Prague. African geo prints are another seasonal standout. Find them at Desigual, Calzedonia, and Marks & Spencer. Calzedonia, by the way, earns points for most helpful, friendly employees who eased the usual fitting room fiasco by providing guidance and being swift with additional sizes!

Pin-up princess

More demure and prefer a sweeter 1950’s come-hither beach baby look? Once again, Calzedonia suits, as does the new on-line boutique Zoot.com which allows for pick-up at their Hlavní Nádraží distribution center, a cute space that comes equipped with a fitting room. (If your purchase doesn’t fit you can return it on the spot.) F&F as well as Unimarbeachwear, stocked by the Bepon store in Palladium Shopping Center also do retro glam well.

Florals and yacht-worthy stripes

Florals and yacht-worthy stripes are perfect for those endless summer days and nights frolicking along the Croatian shoreline. Find them at mass merchants like Marks & Spencer and Calzedonia (see above) or at the smaller boutiques and Czech run stores like newly opened Space, or at the boutique of Czech designer Natalie Steklova who not only puts sex appeal back in a full coverage swimsuit, but her shop, focused on sustainable style also houses a cafe with a terrace view of the National Theatre.

For fuller figures: The Litex catalogue and e-shop is a perennial favorite among Czechs and offers durable, affordable swimwear in a variety of styles (mix-and-match bikinis, one pieces, sportier makes, and beach accesories) for a range of silhouettes including plus sizes. Here you’ll also find swim trunks for your hubby and children’s swimwear. Anita.com has a wide selection of suits for larger frames as well. Order online or stop into the newly opened Big and Beautiful boutique where they will special order direct from Anita for you.

A smooth finish

Run by a Brazilian who knows a thing or two about the art of waxing, Beauty Secrets is one such place that offers all three in a one-stop shop located in Prague 6 Dejvice. It’s a favorite amongst most ladies who are looking for a barely there wax perfect for the smallest of Italian and Brazilian swimsuits.

Bomton Spa & Wellness doesn’t offer the Brazilian or Hollywood style waxing, but does promise a quality wax by professionals who actually know what they are doing, in a relaxing spa environment located just off of Wenceslas Square.

Expat favorite salon Hair By Mark Phillip does the Hollywood wax (front to back it all comes off) for a nice price, and newcomer spa and fragrance boutique Ingredients includes inexpensive bikini waxes as an add-on to its super-luxe Sisley facial treatments.

For the truly squeamish, IPL (intense pulsated light) laser hair removal can be found at Beauty Shape Center.

Time to get glowing

Beach essentials secured, it’s finally time to “fake” your way to a flawless tan. I personally am terrified of self-tanners and the possibility of turning a color orange seen only in Technicolor films and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I recommend a few options, however, that are both skin- and wallet-friendly and approximate the sort of rosy look you might get after a day spent in the countryside, not a week in the tanning salon. Bioderma gives a nice glow to the face, followed by two body options, Vita Liberata and Czech bio brand Ryor.