Pilar’s Beachwear

Terrible. Don’t waste your time. Go to gone bananas across the street. They’re better, friendlier and have air conditioning.
Pillars was HOT and uncomfortable and very negative vibe. They’ve got signs all over discoursing a friendly shopping experience.
I walked in there «pretty woman style» with three bags from gone bananas spending over $ 700 there and the woman was less than helpful
Pillars sales person actually pulled me out of the dressing room because, (and I quote) she said «we don’t use that dressing room» told me «you need to use this other one» and she told me I «was supposed to ask permission to use the dressing room.» Weird. And off-​putting.
I would’ve easily bought but the experience was less than tasteful. Plus you’ve got way better options on sale across the street at Gone Bananas”

No one, after a winter of being a SUPER busy mom and not making it to the gym, likes the start of bikini season. I met Lori, who shares the store with her sister.
I tried on a few suits and was frustrated because the styles that fit me in my 20’s just aren’t fitting in my 30’s. Lori, noting my frustration, spent a long time handing me styles that I tried and one of them worked beautifully! I was so self-​conscious and I left really happy. After the service I received at this store I’ll be back for sure! Go Lori!

This place does not have as deep of an assortment as Gone Banana’s, but I got the cutest lingerie set here! It also has a lower price point so it is definitely worth shopping around here.

Don’t go! Small selection, high prices & low on customer service. Seemed to care just about the sale & not repeat customers. Many better places to find swimsuits in San Diego…

Went shopping here yesterday. I hate shopping for bathing suits, but I had a great experience! The young lady who helped me listened to what I said I was looking for and brought me tons of things to try on. She was helpful, but not pushy. They have some really cool suits in there, too. I bought two suits and was very happy with my experience and the help I received. Will recommend to friends!

I used to love Pilars. It was my «go to» place for suits.
Today I went there and the blond girl working was RUDE! I asked if they moved and she said «yes» with an attitude. Then I asked if they lessened their inventory and she said, «are you a buyer?»
I let her know that I am a D-​cup suit and I noticed they have less D-​cups. She snapped at me and said «Yeah, the economy has been really tough and we are a family run business and we are lucky to still be here.» Taken aback, I said I was just looking for a D-​cup suit and had found some great suits at Pilars in the past.
She then said, «We just get really tired of hearing people comment about our store and the lack of inventory.»
She then said they’d be getting some more D-​cups in in a few weeks. I am leaving for vacation in 10 days and asked if she thought the suits would be there before I go. She said (with major attitude), «Yeah, I just said they’d be coming in a few weeks, didn’t I?»
I tried on a few suits and left. Normally I’d buy enough suits which I’m sure would help pay her rent. She was so rude that I just said the suits didn’t work out and I’d come back.
I think she was the owner because she seemed very stressed about her failing business.
I am a business owner and if I ever heard my staff talking to someone like this, they’d be fired.
She should have said, «we really appreciate you being here and supporting our business. If you don’t find anything today, can I get your phone # and call you when our new suits arrive?»
I wanted to say to her, it’s not the economy that’s killing your business, it’s your nasty attitude.
I went across the street at Gone Bananas and they seem to be thriving in this economy. They had a ton of inventory and owner was there (very nice man) and told me they are ordering new inventory daily.
If you are a positive person, stay away from such negative energy.

Not the best selection, parking sucks

The parking is HORRIBLE. Do not park in the back. I would suggest parking down about two blocks in the lot right next door to Gone Bananas and walking over. The store is clean and bright. BUT… if you are blessed with a natural set of girls the only thing you’re really going to find here are solid black tops OR one pieces. The other suits that will fit are VERY pricey. We have a pool and I am in the sun ALOT and need roughly two new suits a year (yes with chlorine, the slide, and the sun, I get my use out of them). Personally, I can not afford the really cute suits at $ 175 each. That’s just absurd for a bathing suit. While it hasn’t happened the last time I was in here (about 2 weeks ago)… pretty much all previous trips were greeted by snotty girls with tween bodies. They also practically snatched the money out of my hand at the register and VERY quick to ramble off how items ARE NOT RETURNABLE/​REFUNDABLE, etc. I have started buying my bottoms at Target (bottoms are fine, it’s the tops I can’t fit into at any random store) and simply having to find matching tops in the Mission Beach area.

The first time I entered Pilar’s Beachwear, I was crying. My Florida flight to meet my then-boyfriend’s mother was departing the next day. Here’s the setup: Chris is 15 years younger than I, his mom only three years older than me, and the first time I was going to meet her I was going to be in a bikini!!! (Did I mention I’d never worn a bikini before, either?).
Julie spent an hour finding me the perfect suit, and then helped me find four more. The introduction went beautifully, Chris declared undying love on that trip, and he and I are now happily married. Clearly, Julie and Laurie, the owners, get credit for all of that~.
Now I go shopping for new suits every Spring, and every year it gets easier and more fun. Seriously, buying a bikini is an intimidating process. Why not enlist the help of a patient professional?

I dread shopping for swimsuits. I’m not a tiny woman and those florescent lights don’t do anyone justice. I walked in and immediately the owner of the store was at my side to help. I gave her some ideas on what I am used to wearing, what I was hoping to try on and she helped pick out those type suits. When I got to the point of giving up, which is what usually happens, she brought some different styles she thought I might like… and she really hit the nail on the head! I would have never picked those suits for myself, I’m so glad she was there to help. She picked suits that flattered my body. I was able to walk out of her store with a smile on my face and two new suits that I love.
Did I mention she had a great sale going too? 50% 2010 styles and 15% off 2011. Score!

my friend had much better luck than i did. i felt like everything was so itty bitty there is no way i was fitting into anything. the stuff that was cute was no where near my size. the selection was minimal and all over the place. i really liked my friends choice. but there could be so many more choices
parking wasnt bad because they have designated spots for the store which was nice because mission beach parking is horrible.
i would probably go back

Just got a sample of that crazy woman (owner) on Turko tonight. She screams at people, blocks their cars, and tows their vehicle if they park in her parking spots and dare NOT buy from her and move on down to Banana’s. She actually made the statement, «…old ladies come here from Temecula and park…» That woman is psycho. Does she really think she’s going to be in business much longer???
By the way, the court ordered her to pay $ 715.00 to the woman whose car she illegally towed. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

My son is in a sailing class to get a certificate so I decided to just hang out this morning in Mission Beach because the sun was out and I found a parking space! Hallelujah!
Got to thinking I gotta go up to L.A. next weekend & I am not dragging along my shabbier bikini’s so the idea dawned on me to pay a Pilar’s visit!
What a great place-​full of the choicest bathing suits, thong bikini’s, one-​piece swimsuits, accessories, cover-​ups, cute straw bags and hats!
It’s a beach-lover’s paradise and with great customer service. All I did was tell the salesperson what I was looking for and she grabbed it and set it all up for me in the dressing room. I recall coming here probably 20 years ago-​scoring my most eye-​catching bikini– a crocheted one & YES-​they still have those beauties– crocheted in floral patterns with little seed pearls sewn in-​GORGEOUS!
Being that it’s the end of the summer season, just about the entire store is half off, so prices are good right now. Some of their stuff can be pricey, but all of it is totally cute and stuff to wear when you’re pulling off «HOTNESS!» Warning-​parking is –of course-​problematic-​this IS Mission Beach, but Pilar’s has a few spots available in the alley towards the Bay side. Just know those girls working in the store guard those valuable sites like a grizzly bear and her cubs. I had one of the ladies asking about my car while I was shopping-​they run out & check it all the time and WILL TOW if you ain’t shopping there!
Don’t go to Pilar’s if you’re feeling yucky. Save this treasure for when you’ve been exercising and taking your diuretics. Trying on bathing suits and such can be so fatiguing and full of self-​reproach! Suck that stomach in-​make sure you got some color & have been slapping that cellulite cream on the thighs! If you are like me, YOU ARE BOUND to find something cute and I just love my new navy polka-​dot number that I hope will be the hit of Venice Beach boardwalk! VIVA Pilar’s!

After leaving Gone Bananas, almost in tears, I almost didn’t stop into Pilar’s. However, I was determined to find a freaking suit if killed me.
Like i mentioned, I haven’t had a bathing suit that fit me, probably since I was 11. Now, spread searching for one, over the years, with no luck, think about how depressing another bathing suit store would sound.
The selection here, isn’t as large, but they do carry a lot of similar brands and suits. I decided that I would opt for a one piece, and found a few in the corner of the store, that looked awesome. After trying them on, and staring in the mirror for, what seemed like forever, burning my eyes out at the sight, I decided that my body just didn’t fit, changed back, and opened the stall.
The women working, who was one of the owners, came over, and asked if I liked anything. I told her my problem, and she immediately walked over to grab a few things for me, which in the end, worked perfectly. The suit I ended up getting, was a lot like the first one I tried on but with more support, big plus.
Over all, don’t let this small space fool you. The service is great, and they’ll help you find the perfect suit.
Now, it did cost me an arm and a leg, but I’ll never find another suit for the rest of my life, so I’ll be getting my monies worth. =)

Hot snot. There is a woman that works here with a fire in her soul. I do not know if she is THE «Pilar». But this fire drives her to do crazy, crazy things.
She will enter the dressing room with you and pull bathing suits off your boobies.
She will fling dozens of suits over the door, if she hasn’t entered the room with you yet.
She will yell at you if you are on your cell phone.
But most importantly, she will destroy you if you let the bathing suits touch the floor.
For the love of all that is holy, do not let the bathing suits touch the floor.
Do not park in the spots in back, they are treacherous.
Enjoy the nice selection, but watch out for the high prices, (lack of) return policy, and the insane woman who will try to bust into your dressing room.

Shopping for Bathing Suits Sucks.
That said, if ya gotta go, take your flabby ass to Pilar’s. They have a great selection of suits and super helpful salespeople that will tell you if you can pull off one suit or another.

Gotta say, I went to this store during one of my visits to SD before I moved here. I was on a mission to find a perfect bikini for the upcoming summer and move to SD. This was my first store on my list of places to go to. It’s in Mission Beach, so parking can be a bitch.
Anyway! From what I remember the store is kind of small, but def. has a large array of one-​piece bathing suits, bikinis, tankinis, etc. My problem with the place, however, is the layout of the selection. As you can see in the pics, the collections are all hung not facing outward and, instead, like how you’d hang your clothes in your closet. This made my whole shopping for a bikini experience not so enjoyable and I lost motivation to sift through all the suits after about 5 minutes.
I ended up at Gone Bananas a couple blocks over and walked out with a bikini to call my own.