Tropicala: Custom-Made Swimwear from Añasco for All of Puerto Rico

Living on a tropical island has its advantages. We don’t have to wait for summer to enjoy a day at the beach. In Puerto Rico, especially in the west, spectacular beaches are right at our fingertips, and almost any weekend can be the perfect excuse to take a dip, soak up the sun, or simply unwind by the ocean.

But there’s one thing that isn’t always so easy: finding a swimsuit we love, that fits well, and makes us feel comfortable and confident.

Even though we’re surrounded by beaches, finding swimwear throughout the year can be a challenge. Department stores often have limited selections outside of peak season, while surf shops don’t necessarily carry the variety of styles and sizes we’re looking for.

And let’s be honest, who hasn’t found a beautiful bikini only to realize they need one size for the top and another for the bottom? Our bodies don’t come in matching sizes, and finding a swimsuit that truly fits shouldn’t feel like a mission.

That’s exactly the need that inspired Tropicala, a Puerto Rican swimwear and resort wear brand created by Alana Cruz. The young entrepreneur from Añasco discovered sewing as a way to design the pieces she had always wanted to wear. 

From a Sewing Machine to Her Own Brand

Alana was born and raised in Añasco, making the opportunity to build her business in western Puerto Rico especially meaningful. Although she had been curious about fashion design and sewing since childhood, it wasn’t until 2012, during her first pregnancy, that she began exploring that interest more seriously.

Her father gave her her first sewing machine, and without any previous experience, she started teaching herself. She searched for online tutorials, read the machine’s manual, and gradually learned the techniques and skills involved in garment construction.

Swimwear was always her greatest interest. She wanted pieces with specific features and fits that she found difficult to locate in stores at the time.

In 2017, she took her first basic swimwear construction course. After completing it, she decided to turn her idea into a brand and officially develop Tropicala. She continued building her skills through additional courses in sewing, fashion design, and patternmaking, further refining her techniques and creations.

What began as a personal search for the swimwear she wanted to wear has grown into a brand offering an alternative for women looking for something different.

Reversible Swimwear Made to Your Measurements

One of Tropicala’s biggest attractions is that its pieces don’t have to be limited to traditional sizing. The brand offers seasonal collections in Small, Medium, and Large, but also gives customers the option of ordering completely custom-made swimwear.

With custom orders, each client can choose two prints to combine, since the swimsuits are reversible. They can also select their preferred level of back coverage and specify other design details.

Rather than simply choosing a size and hoping it works, the process is about creating a piece that takes into account the measurements, preferences, and comfort of the person who will wear it.

For Alana, that attention to detail is directly connected to Tropicala’s philosophy: creating quality, durable pieces that aren’t dependent solely on whatever happens to be trending. Her goal is for every woman to feel comfortable, happy, and free wearing her designs.

Original Prints Inspired by Nature

Another detail that sets Tropicala apart is the work that goes into its prints.

The designs for the seasonal collections begin as original drawings by Alana, which are then digitally developed and transformed into the fabrics used in her creations.

Her inspiration comes primarily from nature, especially the beach, one of her favorite places.

The result is a collection of original prints and combinations that give each season its own personality and help establish the brand’s distinctive identity.

More Than Bikinis: Resort Wear for the Beach and Beyond

While swimwear is at the heart of Tropicala, the brand also offers a resort wear collection that includes cover-ups, skirts, dresses, tops, and pants.

These pieces are made with lightweight fabrics and designed to complement a day at the beach while also creating an outfit you can wear out to lunch, for an evening out, or for just about any other occasion.

The idea is that these aren’t pieces you have to save exclusively for vacation. You can mix and match them and dress them up for different plans and occasions.

Customers can choose from available designs and request adjustments, or share their own ideas to create a custom piece.

How to Order from Tropicala

Tropicala operates from an atelier in Añasco, where Alana occasionally schedules appointments. However, you don’t have to live in western Puerto Rico to place an order. Many of her clients come from other towns across the island, including the San Juan metropolitan area, so she also provides assistance throughout the entire process online.

If you’re interested in a custom-made piece, the process starts with a consultation to discuss the design, preferences, and specifications. Clients who visit the atelier can have their measurements taken personally by Alana. For orders placed remotely, she provides guidance on how to take measurements correctly and answers any questions along the way.

Once all the details are finalized, production generally takes between two and four weeks, although timing may vary depending on the complexity of the piece and the availability of the necessary fabrics and materials.

You can explore available designs and discover the collections on Tropicala’s website and Instagram.

A Piece That Can Change How You Feel at the Beach

There’s one moment from her journey with Tropicala that Alana remembers in particular. A client once told her that, thanks to her swimsuits, she had started wearing a bikini again and felt confident doing so.

For Alana, that comment reaffirmed that she was doing exactly what she wanted to do.

Because beyond creating beautiful swimwear, her purpose is to help every woman enjoy her pieces while feeling comfortable and free, without having to settle for whatever happens to be available in a store.

From her atelier in Añasco, Alana continues creating designs that celebrate the beach, nature, and each woman’s individuality.

After all, if we’re lucky enough to live on an island where there’s always a good reason to head to the beach, we should also have the opportunity to find a swimsuit we absolutely love.

Discover Tropicala

• Website: https://tropicalapr.com
• Instagram and Facebook: @tropicala.pr
• Phone: 787-519-4579
• Location: Añasco, Puerto Rico. Atelier appointments available by prior arrangement.