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Summer Swimwear Mix Up
This summer, you would be forgiven for experiencing a little confusion when you go down to the beach. Strolling on the hot sand, you'll see swimwear from all decades past. Lithe, sexy babes channelling 90's Baywatch in their high-cut, highlighter one-pieces. Darling hippy chicks frolicking in skimpy crochet bikinis, beads and feathers a-dangling. Glamorous 1940's goddesses lounging in demure high-waisted two-pieces. And they all look fabulous! So which era are you supposed to choose for your new swimwear? 40's, 70's, 90's… it's enough to tie your brain in knots. So before you decide to forego the beach altogether, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. All of these looks are in fashion! And you get to pick the one that suits you. Genius catwalk masterminds. To make the big decision a little easier on your tender heads and tog-less bodies, I'm going to narrow down the key trends for you: HIGHLY ADORABLE HIGH-WAISTED BIKINIS This would have to be my favourite new style, as it is such a dramatic change to the bikini shapes we have been wearing for years. Following on from the trend of all things high-waisted in clothes, a few clever swimwear labels have created exquisitely glamorous and grown-up two-pieces straight out of the 1940's. Lover's black crochet version is to die for, One Teaspoon and Tigerlily have done great wearable numbers, and I've spotted a few special versions at vintage stores. Bandeau bikinis and one-pieces - such as Kate Sylvester's gingham number - also take their cues from the 40's and 50's, so you can get the glamour factor in a style that suits you. THE HIGH-CUT 1990's FLASHBACK What? How can the high-cut look be fashionable again? It's so scary and unflattering! I know. But… fashion is having a very 90's moment and I have to admit that the modern takes on the 1990's swimsuits are looking hot. However, I have only seen them on airbrushed, curve-less models so I can't be sure how these are going to translate to the real world of bikini lines and generous thighs. But I can't deny that the brightness, the sleekness and the athletic appeal sure look good. Either in black, white, metallic or fluoro, the best versions have zips down the front, and are made of shiny, futuristic material. Check out styles by One Teaspoon, Tigerlily and Anna & Boy. If this sounds a bit extreme for you then you can still get the babe-ish Baywatch look with a Hawaiian inspired palm print bikini, such as the nice cheapie I picked up at Jay Jay's, or opt for any style in fluoro pink, yellow and orange. IT'S ANOTHER SUMMER OF LOVE Also following on from summer's clothes trends, 1970's inspired swimwear is everywhere. Tie-dye and crochet bikinis are the coolest, complete with a few beads and tassels to really hit home the hippy idea. This look is mostly seen on the 70's classic - a skimpy string bikini, but works well on one-pieces and bandeau bikinis too. I love Seafolly's bright red tie-dye bikini, Tigerlily's fringed pieces and Lover's numerous crochet looks. This look is also about the finer details, such as the twisted or plaited straps. ONE-PIECES OF ALL SORTS Hooray for covering up our tummies! One-pieces have been on the fringe of fashion the last few summers, but finally this year they hit the big time. Gone are their boring, no nonsense connotations, as we see sexy and beautiful one-pieces by nearly every swimwear label. There are lots of retro-look strapless and rouched swimsuits, with a Marilyn Monroe pin-up feeling about them, and some really simple but cute preppy styles in polka dots or stripes. We've got one-shouldered styles, simple sexy ones with plunging necklines and full-on metallic options. Jets by Jessika Allen would have to be the queen of beautiful one-pieces, but Tigerlily, Anna & Boy, Lover and Zimmermann all have great styles too. On the opposite end of the one-piece spectrum are the daring cut-out styles which sometimes reveal more than they cover. While these are great for the toned and confident among us, I'm excited about the more forgiving version which has emerged, where just the sides are cut away leaving your tummy nicely protected but your back bare. Stylish New Zealand swimwear label Emma Ford has some great quirky options with awesome, colourful prints, as do Seafolly and Jets by Jessika Allen. FRILLY FLORALS Your girlie side can come out to play this summer, as there are many cute floral and frilled styles to choose from. Every brand out there has at least one floral design, the most current feature little Laura Ashley style flower prints. And just in case that's not quite pretty enough for you girlie girls, there are also ruffles and bows galore. Ruffles on plain coloured suits look great - Glassons does a nice black number - however, ruffles and florals combined - as seen at Zimmermann - are where the party's at. The only way you could look cuter is if you turned yourself into a bunny rabbit! MIX IT UP LIKE SAMANTHA RONSON WOULD There is one last confusing point to note about this season's swimwear. That is, that you don't just have to choose one trend. You can mix them all together! Yes, I'm talking high waisted and hippy in one hit, a fluoro 1950's one-piece, or leopard print ruffles on a floral bikini with a few beads to top it all off. Designers seem to have ignored the rules and gone a little OTT on us so I say, why not make the most of it? See you on the beach. I'll be the one in a metallic, beaded sailor suit with fluoro crochet ruffles. http://www.thegrandsocial.com.au/anna-and-boy http://www.tigerlilyswimwear.com.au http://www.oneteaspoon.com.au http://www.zimmermannstore.com http://www.jets.com.au http://www.emmaford.co.nz http://www.loverthelabel.com http://www.seafolly.com.au http://www.katesylvester.com 
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