Beach Chic
May 23, 2011
After the long, treacherous months of winter, spring and summer couture collections bring a breath of fresh air onto the runways. Designers introduce new palettes of pastel color combinations, vibrant floral patterns, and the newest trends in swimwear and vacation-wear pieces.
1. Bikinis, bathing suits, and swimwear are taking some surprising turns for 2011. Denim, a wardrobe staple, has hit swimwear. At the Mercedes- Benz Swimwear 2011 Fashion Week, held in Miami Beach, denim swimsuits were featured in several runway collections. True Religion and Ed Hardy showed several denim bathing suit styles. Both designer collections feature one-piece and bikini swimsuits with an emphasis on corseted looks. Other pieces featured belts and vested swimwear touches in denim. Boy shorts, studded denim, halter tops, and chain details round out the newest in denim swimwear looks. Pieces range in price from $50 to $150. Tops and bottoms are typically sold separately, ensuring proper fit for all body types. Visit www.edhardy.com and www.truereligionbrandjeans.com to see the latest collections.
2. Another refreshingly new trend in swimsuits is the return of a white one-piece. Dolce & Gabbana showcased a sea of white romper-style swimsuits. Among them were several belted styles, many sweetheart-necklines, and delicate details of lace, crochet-work, ties and buttons. This look was made famous by Marilyn Monroe in the 50s. The white swimwear look is delicate, feminine, and yet playful with the updated details. The pin tuck stitching details and touches of lace and crochet complete the overall look. Dolce & Gabbana pieces are in the pricier range, typically several hundred dollars, but are well worth the investment. Their suits are timeless and constructed with the highest quality standards. Suits and styles can be purchased from the online store at store.dolcegabbana.com.
3. Other honorable mentions in swimsuit trends: animal prints, bold floral prints, ruffles, and convertible bathing suits.Several designers featured swimsuits with attached sheer sarongs that can be worn in a multitude of different combinations. Carol Wior featured several convertible swimsuits with built-in sarongs and is among the more affordable in swimwear options. She offers suits in a wide range of sizes and cup sizes, which is important for larger-breasted women. Carol Wior suits can be purchased online at www.qvc.com. Her bathing suits range in price from $60 to $130. A refreshing take on the bold floral trend centers around floral placement on a swimsuit. Large blooms could be seen placed on the diagonal from the shoulder to the hipline, highlighting the body and adding a slimming effect. Isaac Mizrahi has some affordable pieces in his Isaac Mizrahi line at Target. His collection is very affordably priced. Prices range from as low as $10 to $30. He also features several animal print swimsuit options and ruffled options in his recent collection. Ruffled tops are a wonderful way to add volume to a petite or small-chested woman. View the entire Isaac Mizrahi collection at www.target.com or in any Target location.
