Blueman, Rio de Janeiro

What to buy here:

BEACHWEAR: Rio is famous for its iconic beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema and it’s only natural that fashion-conscious Brazilians would develop a flair for chic beachwear. The bikini arrived in Brazil in the 1950s on the bodies of local pin-ups, who pioneered it on the beach in front of the glamorous Cocapabana Palace Hotel. It didn’t take very long for the rest of Brazilian women to follow suit and adopt the two-piece beach outfit. The 1970s saw the introduction of the infamous low-waste ‘tanga’, which was a lot smaller than the traditional bikini. The 1980s saw many design innovations and the arrival of bolder colors. These days there is no single trend, although retro models seem to rule. The same apply for men, for whom trunks have become bigger, 1950s style. Blueman is the top brand for Rio beachwear and part and parcel of its history. Created in 1973 by David Azulay, it sells its ware at mid-range prices but shoppers can be sure to be taking home a quality product with great tailoring and fabulous patterns. Blueman makes beachwear for both men and women. It is found in many shopping malls as well as in the heart of Ipanema on R. Visconde de Pirajá. Open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm and Saturdays from 9am to 6pm.

Men’s beachwear starts at $60 while women’s beachwear prices start at around $100.