Tropi-Ties: Eco Friendly, Funky and Hip

Santa Ynez, Calif.–based Tropi-Ties Swimwear is getting earth-conscious. The suitmaker and catalog dealer is making friends with Mother Earth for its Spring/Summer ’08 collection.

Among the suits featured is one made out of hemp fibers. Hemp is one of the strongest and most durable of all natural textile fibers. It holds shape, and the more it’s used, the softer it gets. Its porous nature allows it to breathe so it stays cool in hot weather and warm in cooler weather. Because it’s a faster-growing crop than cotton, it doesn’t require as much acreage to produce it.

Tropi-Ties designer Cindy Alpers described the next collection as funky and off-beat with a touch of street savvy.

“We took a fun approach to our styles this year, and we went straight to the street kids for advice and direction,” Alpers said. “The look is slightly off-beat, with an edgy twist. There’s a hemp-and-fringe bikini, a pirate-ship print, some Victorian, velvet, rocker designs—lots of attitude this year.”

Another standout is sure to be the “Bubble N Squeak,” a low-cut, demi-underwire bikini top that enhances the bust line.

“This top is killer on a smaller-busted girl,” Alpers said. “It gives lots of oomph and has received lots of attention from the press. Sports Illustrated picked this one up at the Miami Swim Show [in July], along with a couple of other suits, including the hemp bikini.”

Other anticipated hits include high-strung one-piece suits, a retro tie-dyed bikini and a ruffled red-striped two-piece called “Riot in Paris.” Price points are $55 for printed bikinis, $85 for cutout one-pieces and $45 for solid bikinis. Retail prices average $100. For more information, call (805) 688-6025, Ext. 2, or visit www.tropi-ties.com. —Robert McAllister