Hot New Trends in Women's Swimwear
2/6/2006 6:13:50 PM by JANA SOELDNER DANGER
One of the terrific aspects of South Florida living is being able to enjoy the beach all year long. (Okay, so some weather-wimps probably stay away during what passes for winter here, but that's their problem.)
Since the beach is a year-round venue for fun, South Florida fashionistas need to keep up with swimwear trends regardless of the season. Here are some tips on what's hot and what's coming up from some area experts.
With the holidays approaching, Mirla Sabino, a designer and distributor for Agua de Coco and Ank, two Brazilian-style swimwear lines, expects some glitz on the sand. "There are a lot of golds and other metalics for the holidays, and we're applying them to swimwear. A suit can be sophisticated and elegant, but also fun," she said.
The goal for Sabino is to create memorable designs. "No one wants a basic suit," she said. "They want something unique. Our suits have lots of embellishments and hand work they're like works of art. This year, we traveled to the Middle East and a number of islands to get ideas and inspiration. You might look at them and think they couldn't get wet, but they can."
Detailed, decorative pieces are also popular at Stranded Naked, a Miami store specializing in Brazilian swimwear. "Ruffles on tops and waistbands are big now," said owner Bobb Henderson. "We're also seeing a lot of beads, buckles and shells."
Black is the No. 1 perennial favorite color, followed by white, Henderson said. "Floral prints are popular, as well as solids in bright pinks and greens," he added. "Those colors really show off a tan."
Blue and white stripes hot, Sabino said. "It's the nautical look. Ank is also doing charcoal we call it 'almost black.'"
At Ritchie Swimwear, bronzes, browns, and metallic golds are the hot colors in the company's signature line. "We embellish these earth tones with tortoise shell, amber and wood trims to put some bling into them," said CEO and designer Ritchie Berger.
While the Ritchie line is designer- inspired, the company's Pan Dulce line is more tropical oriented. "We're doing florals, and tone-ontones like khaki with cream, embellished with shells and macrame," Berger said.
Enthusiasm for the barely-there G-string bikini is fading, Henderson said. "It's taking a back seat to suits with a little more material. The average person doesn't weigh 96 pounds and work out every day, like a model."
Berger, however, sees a bit of a renaissance for the skimpiest bottoms. "The thong is making a small return," he said. "But the low-cut scoop bottom is the heart of our collection. We're also doing fuller cut and higher-waisted bottoms."
What to look for in a swim suit? "It's all about quality fabric, embellishments, and the perfect fit," Berger said.
"It should be fun and unique, but the fit is the most important," Sabino said. "When you shop, you should look for something that fits your style and personality, but also fits your body."
Some versatile suits are good for just about everybody. "The Ank Princess Collection is very popular because it's almost one size fits all," Sabino said. "The suits are made of soft fabric, and you can adjust both the top and the bottom."
Suits are just half the swimwear story. Cover-ups are also important. "Baggy pants made of see-through material, and silk wraps are popular," Henderson said.
Cover-ups can be so fashionable that wearers don't restrict them to the sand. "With some of them, you can go straight from the beach to dinner or the casino," Sabino said. "One of our pieces can be worn as a dress or a sarong, or you can stretch it out on the beach like a sheet."
For more information about the swimwear companies listed in this story, call or visit:
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