Swimwear – Fashion and Styles Summer 2009

For those of us who only get to grab a fortnight in the sun once a year, last year’s swimwear simply won’t do. This year’s styles have hit the shops and they are made for poolside posing, with glamorous one-shouldered swimsuits and cut-away pieces being the must-have items for 2009.

Polka dots, stripes, bold colours and animal prints have returned once again this year, proving they aren’t just a passing fad — but they’re joined by tie-dye, metallics, ruffles and fringing.

The on-trend one-shoulder style and monokini (a swimsuit like a bikini, but with the two parts linked) are joined by others with enduring popularity such as halter necks and bandinis (bikinis with a strapless, tube-shaped bandeau top).

Patience pays

A word of warning: swimsuit shopping can be a painful experience, reminding us of every over-indulgence, and this season’s hottest trends don’t suit all ages or body shapes.

Get a bikini wax and slap on the fake tan the day before to get you into holiday mode and ease the blow of unforgiving changing room lights and three-way mirrors.

Always make sure you buy the right size and a shape that suits you. Obviously you want to flaunt your best bits and conceal your flaws, and patience will pay off: try on different shapes to work out what suits you, then shop around for a colour or pattern you like in that shape.

Buttock-baring thongs demand a toned rear, while chunkier bikini bottoms are often more forgiving. Halter bikini tops suit lots of different shapes, while the bandini’s top minimises larger breasts but may not flatter smaller chests. Petite girls with confidence can carry off cut-away bikinis – and real attention seekers can grab the limelight in a more extreme bandage-style piece.

Some of the monokini styles are good at highlighting the curves of an hourglass figure in all the right places, and those with a larger central panel can be great for exposing some flesh while at the same time covering up a slightly flawed stomach.

For more modesty, the tankini — bikini bottoms coupled with a tank or vest-style top — offers the convenience of a bikini (especially on toilet trips) with the coverage of a full swimsuit. Alternatively, this season’s one-shoulder style gives a chic twist to full swimsuits and suit virtually any body shape, bringing attention to your décolletage.

Suntan symmetry

If you plan to develop a natural tan, remember that some of this year’s hottest styles will leave you with a rather strange collection of asymmetrical tan lines – particularly the cut-away bandage-like styles. You may want to alternate between different swimwear to smooth over any obvious lines.

Dress for your destination

There’s no point booking a fortnight somewhere conservative if you want to prance around the beach in no more than a skimpy thong. Police in Dubai arrested dozens of Western tourists last year for topless sunbathing. Find out about the local culture before you book your holiday and buy something appropriate. For the most modest of destinations, your only choice may be to swim partly clothed or wear a ‘bodykini’, which covers the whole body.

Finally, no swimwear is complete without a few statement accessories – so get some tips in our Beachwear article.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 30th, 2009 at 3:12 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.