Best places to buy bikinis/lingerie

[zack_mcc]

Just curious what places you all have found with good deals on wardrobe items. I like to keep a few things on hand just in case the items the model brings dont really fit my taste.

I normally let the models keep the items since I wouldn't want to shoot multiple models in the same outfit anyway, so I like to get good deals whenever possible.

On rare occasion, I've found closeout deals on "quality" bikinis, but all too often I try to sort through the cheap stuff on ebay and end up being less-than-thrilled about the quality of the item.

So I guess thats the topic.... where have you found stuff of decent quality thats reasonably cheap? Pointless to pay $50+ for a bikini to use once... so I guess $20-25 is the range I consider to be a "good deal".

[The Loft Studios]

eBay.....

[Cosha]

Originally Posted by zack_mcc

...but all too often I try to sort through the cheap stuff on ebay and end up being less-than-thrilled about the quality of the item.

No one reads anymore...?


The 'Best' Place is asking your female friends, i know i know what your thinking, this sounds strange asking my female friends for clothing!

You would be very surprised (Actualy no you wont) how many items of UNUSED clothes your female friends have!

All still with tags on, never worn etc...

Mostly last years they brought for that summer etc...

[sspellman]

I think you are barking up the wrong tree here. Fit/size/color coordination are essential for lingerie and bikinis. I would spend your $$$ instead on decor, set items, lighting, and better talent with good wardrobe to improve your photography. Cheap clothing that fits badly will not get you far.

-Scott

[zack_mcc]

Originally Posted by Cosha

No one reads anymore...?


The 'Best' Place is asking your female friends, i know i know what your thinking, this sounds strange asking my female friends for clothing!

You would be very surprised (Actualy no you wont) how many items of UNUSED clothes your female friends have!

All still with tags on, never worn etc...

Mostly last years they brought for that summer etc...

I appreciate the reply. I'll have to try that... I hadn't thought of asking female friends.

I'll share one place that I was able to find good deals. http://www.sale-bikini.com/
I ordered about 6 suits from them earlier this year, and was very pleased with the quality. Unfortunately, it seems like they had a limited stock and have not added any more items... so the good deals I found there this summer are now out of stock/no longer on there.

[zack_mcc]

Originally Posted by sspellman

I think you are barking up the wrong tree here. Fit/size/color coordination are essential for lingerie and bikinis. I would spend your $$$ instead on decor, set items, lighting, and better talent with good wardrobe to improve your photography. Cheap clothing that fits badly will not get you far.

-Scott

I totally agree with what you are saying, but sometimes there are exceptions to the rules. I ordered items from ebay and wasn't happy with them so I trashed them. Sometimes you stuble upon great suits at cheap prices (like the link above).

Im not looking for cheap suits, Im looking for nice suits at cheap prices/closeout, etc.

[The Loft Studios]

I've already been down the road the OP is referring to.....
And yes, I did "completely" read his post as Cosha assumed that I didn't. I've been a Commercial Catalog Photographer for over 20 years and just like the OP, wanted to start my own collection of outfits. And after asking female friends or I should say female model friends where do they get their outfits from that they model in..... Most of their responses?

Simple..... eBay!

So if the OP is coming across cheap outfits, then I would suggest to purchase a better grade of outfits or pay close attention to what you are wanting to buy. You can find Lingerie, Swimsuits, all sorts of quality garments (NEW and slightly USED) for "pennies on the dollar". I started 10 years ago, collecting shoes and outfits (all via eBay). I have Victoria Secrets, Bebe, Donna Karen, etc (ALL Name Brand)..... from women who purchase outfits and NEVER wear them or worn once or twice, or feel like it's last years fashions, and they sell these outfits starting at 99 cents. I've NEVER (and I repeat NEVER) paid more than $25.oo for any outfit I've wanted (most ranging from $10.oo-$15.oo). I've purchased Name Brand outfits with $100.oo tags still on them for $20.oo. In fact, I just recently purchased a Brand New $69.oo Victoria Secrets Terry Cloth Bath Robe (for my Nude Models to wear on set) for $17.oo (and some change - Shipping Included).....

KEEP SEARCHING..... the deals are there, you just have to find them!

[Cosha]

Originally Posted by The Loft Studios

I've already been down the road the OP is referring to.....
And yes, I did "completely" read his post as Cosha assumed that I didn't. I've been a Commercial Catalog Photographer for over 20 years and just like the OP, wanted to start my own collection of outfits. And after asking female friends or I should say female model friends where do they get their outfits from that they model in..... Most of their responses?

Simple..... eBay!

So if the OP is coming across cheap outfits, then I would suggest to purchase a better grade of outfits or pay close attention to what you are wanting to buy. You can find Lingerie, Swimsuits, all sorts of quality garments (NEW and slightly USED) for "pennies on the dollar". I started 10 years ago, collecting shoes and outfits (all via eBay). I have Victoria Secrets, Bebe, Donna Karen, etc (ALL Name Brand)..... from women who purchase outfits and NEVER wear them or worn once or twice, or feel like it's last years fashions, and they sell these outfits starting at 99 cents. I've NEVER (and I repeat NEVER) paid more than $25.oo for any outfit I've wanted (most ranging from $10.oo-$15.oo). I've purchased Name Brand outfits with $100.oo tags still on them for $20.oo. In fact, I just recently purchased a Brand New $69.oo Victoria Secrets Terry Cloth Bath Robe (for my Nude Models to wear on set) for $17.oo (and some change - Shipping Included).....

KEEP SEARCHING..... the deals are there, you just have to find them!

See the above post was MUCH more helpful than your first 'Ebay....' post and common, admit it you actualy enjoyed typing all that too!

[josh5k]

If you are going to let the models keep it, why not pay them a bit extra to get their own (new ones) - most models have a set they bring anyway? Perhaps they'd be able to pick ones that suit their body best?

[zack_mcc]

Originally Posted by josh5k

If you are going to let the models keep it, why not pay them a bit extra to get their own (new ones) - most models have a set they bring anyway? Perhaps they'd be able to pick ones that suit their body best?

I haven't had the best luck with asking models to bring particular items. Often times there interpretation of what I had in mind is considerably different. Perhaps im not being descriptive enough, but if I supply the items myself then there is no chance for a miscommunication.

[chrisvl]

ebay is great but you have to pick your items carefully. Flea Markets are great also
Been stocking up all year.
Every time I shoot the wife though she goes I like this and keeps it but oh well.

www.snaz75.com - check the clearance section

[Mark_Cohran]

I use Bikini Beach to get swimwear for my models:

http://www.bikini-beach.com/

[RStorts]

thanks for sharing . all r great ideas.

[andyffer]

http://www.the-bikini.com/

[FastFred]

Here's what I've learned from my wife, who's an excellent shopper and bargain hunter... We shop at places like Ross, Marshals, TJmax, etc. If you look around, you can find pretty good deals there on what they consider to be close-outs or last years fashions. They put stuff on clearance as the seasons change. Right now, in January, all of their Spring stuff is arriving, and the Winter clothes are on clearance and priced very reasonably. If you shoot in a climate controlled studio as I do, it doesn't matter much as far as shooting bikinis in January or Winter outfits in the Spring.

Just FYI, I'm not affiliated with them, just sharing my knowledge.