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By Lisa Dante
Vibrant patterned swimsuit prints will have you dancing to the beat of an exotic drum this summer. Inspired by ancient and colorful traditions, the designs are reminiscent of the Aztec culture. Geometry and symmetry played a major role in Aztec patterns. The colorful design concept has been used for centuries.
BIKINI OR MAILLOT?
Well, that depends. If I know I’m going to be engaging in water sports, like waterskiing, or parasailing, I go for the one-piece every time. If I know that I’ll just be lounging around the pool, it’s a bikini for me. But one thing I can tell you for sure is that one-pieces are back! Did they ever really go away? No, but they are so much chicer than the swim meet style options of the past. In this case “more is less,” meaning the one-pieces offered up today are downright sassy, sexy and classy all at the same time.
CUT IT OUT
Prepare to pick and choose what space of skin you plan to show off. One of the hottest trends right now in one-piece swimwear is asymmetric cut outs or key hole accents. The open placement runs a wide gamut of anything goes.
COLOR BLOCKING
This design technique is all about showcasing a simple combination of colors in a graphic shape to create a flattering and striking impact. It’s been around a long time, but color blocking in swimwear makes a serious splash when framing the human figure. In this case, the swimsuit does the work for you, especially those suits with a solid middle color with a brighter accent color running down either side.
The eye is fooled into seeing a much more elongated middle.
But the ultimate question remains, “What type of swimsuit should you wear?” The answer is, “the one you feel the most confident and comfortable in!” Or to be more blunt, whatever the heck you want!
And that reminds me of something. I have been a fashion editor for over ten years and a professional runway and print model having worked for the biggest name designers in the world. I often get asked a repeated question at this time of year over and over again. I thought I would share it with you. It goes something like this…..
THE QUESTION:
Dear Lisa,
I am a very, very busy working mother and barely have time for myself. Do you have any advice for me as to how I can look glam and sophisticated pool side in the heat and humidity of South Texas, (mind you, with minimal effort) all the while chasing my kids around the pool all summer. Please help!
THE ANSWER:
Dear Busy Mom,
I absolutely love this question and I do have a simple solution. Be prepared to have people looking at you and thinking, “Who is that chic, put-together goddess?”
-Wear a simple black swimsuit or any solid color you prefer
– If your hair is long enough, pull it back in a slick ponytail or better yet a chignon
– A hat is a must, preferably a wide brimmed straw hat
– Throw on an inexpensive pair of hoop earrings or simple studs. Leave your good stuff at home!
– Don’t forget a large pair of sunglasses and the sunscreen!
And that’s it….instant chic, simple and effective.
The clean lines of this look will go far. You can even have an oversized scarf or pareo handy to wrap around your waist for an instant trip to the snack bar or poolside lunch.
The bottom line is, wear what you love! Stay cool this summer…..
