Great Shapes swimwear opens in Roslyn
Great Shapes has a new home. The bathing suit and lingerie store, a well-known 30-year-old resource in Roslyn Heights, has pulled up roots and opened a swanky new boutique in Roslyn Village at the former home of lifestyle store SHAG.
While the location has changed, the fashionable inventory remains somewhat the same with a strong focus on swimwear. Owner Joel Weinberg, 76, has partnered with Dan Burns, 41, a financial adviser, who says, “I’ve always been inspired by fashion, design and art.”
For his part, Weinberg, who has been in the business for 45 years at other sites, is excited about the new digs which houses some 30-plus curated swimsuit brands, some hard to find. But even more than the vast assortment which includes names from all over the world like Maryanne Mehlhorn (Germany), Heidi Klein (London) and Seafolly (Australia) along with staples such as La Blanca, Carmen Marc Valvo and Miraclesuit, is the focus on fit.
“It’s the one item that women are so self-conscious in,” says Weinberg. “It’s the most difficult thing for a woman to wear out of the house. Our goal is to make her feel so comfortable and doing whatever we have to do to get there.” To that end, here, suits and lingerie are sent out for alteration. “We wouldn’t allow a woman to walk out in a swimsuit or lingerie that didn’t fit.”
Beyond actual bathing suits, there’s an assortment of intimate apparel, plus cover-ups and separates that do double duty and are “adaptable as streetwear.”
“You can wear them and be instantly dressed to go to lunch,” says Weinberg. These come in a wide range of sizes and go from junior to plus.
In terms of the latest trends, Weinberg explains, “It’s all over the place. We’re seeing bold stripes, glitter and texture is huge in fabric. It gives a heavier hold. Animal prints are always happening but there are plenty of solids and one shoulder suits.” Find bikinis, tankinis and skirted bottoms within the mix.
The new 1100-square-foot space has a slightly industrial vibe and includes slatted display walls for garments. Prices here go from $90 to $400. And, if you’re lucky, besides finding the perfect summer suit, you’ll get to meet the store’s adorable mascot, Weinberg’s 3-year-old Havanese, Maya.
Great Shapes is located at 17 Lumber Rd., Roslyn Village, 516-484-4555.
