“Tra la la, the love boat, exciting and new, come aboard, we’re expecting you…”, so sang the chorus of the ’80s most charming daytime soap. Though I remember very little of the original storyline (a tropical skyline, a cruise  liner and some super smiley cabin crew, I think!), mention ‘The Love Boat’ to me now and I’ll feel all fuzzy and warm, like I still believe in the ’growing-up-to-be-a-princess’ myth or something! I’ll want to skip down to the sea, wearing a ’50s circle skirt, hairband and satin ballet shoes, my heart all a flutter! It’s that dashing Captain, I think!  Beyond Retro have fallen under the waves of fantasy, oceon romance too, and our summer swimwear look gets a ‘Love Boat’ makeover! Step aboard for a stripy, nautical adventure!  It’s all navy blue (get it?!), stockings and suave, sailor hats!  The beginning of a beautiful style voyage, I believe! All together now, “tra, la la”…

The Dreamy Captain's Ship...

Sailing into Beyond Retro in a Vintage Swimsuit

Steering Some Soho Love Boat style

All aboard the Beyond Retro Love Boat!

…And our swimming blog seemed such a good idea at the time! There we were, telling y’all to be prepared to take a stylish dip in the sea! Rows of 50s swimsuits adorn our aisles and there are plenty of nifty swim hats too! So why weren’t our Brighton girls wearing them? Today! The rainstorm reeked havoc with the Brighton streets and sadly, a (very) small section of our stock got drenched! Never fear, the Brighton crew are a hardy bunch! Almost everything survived, or was shipped to safety! Just look at Lauren, our Visual Merchandiser at Vine Street, still looking deadly stylish as she battles the elements! Well done girl! Valiant and vampy! This is the Beyond Retro way in a crisis! Not that we are taking any chances! Today we are recommending you grab one of our floral umbrellas…Really, just look at her go!

At least her umbrella matches her outfit!

The promise of a white Christmas may be looming, but don’t let the supercharged cold snap put you off donning your swimsuit, come 25th December! Forget cowichan knits and plaid scarves, a teeny, weeny bikini is all you need! If you live in Brighton that is! Home to England’s oldest, most eccentric Swimming Club means members are invited to go for an early morning dip in the sea on Christmas morn. While Londoners are draining the dregs of Santa’s left-behind sherry and opening stockings, our Brighton friends are making fashion waves! Of course, there’s no better place to choose your costume than Beyond Retro! We have stacks of ’50s bathing suits and accessories for the brave, as well as statement costume supplies for the worthy spectators!

Beyond Retro, 42 Vine Street, Brighton 01293 671 937

Alternative Christmas Wear!

Brighton Loves Bathing Suits at Christmas!

The lovely people at London Walking, the Japanese guide to London, published by P-Vine Books, gave us a fantastic mention. The picture shows an Esther Williams inspired swimwear display put together by our head merchandiser Mikyla!   Floral Swim Cap £15, Playsuit £16, Sunglasses £8

An Esther Williams style swimwear display at our Cheshire Street store