Sexy Swimwear for Summer 2008
From Sleek One-pieces, Sensual Monokinis to Practical Tankinis
This year's fashionable revival of the one-piece or tankini swimsuit is good news for 30-somethings and beyond. However, although they are more modest than the bikini (and definitely more wearable), they are far from frumpy. This year's themes are Bond girls, tribal chic, and retro in classic monochromes.
When it comes to sexy swimwear brands then Gottex is a market leader. Just one look at this season’s sensual range is enough to get pulses racing. Gideon Oberson, designer for Gottex, has put swimwear firmly on the fashion map with its sexy cuts and sleek silhouettes. The brand prides itself on knowing what flatters a woman’s body and combines it with a marriage of very individual designs, incorporating the latest fashion trends.
Gottex Swimsuits for Summer 2008
This is no ordinary swimwear; well-known for its love affair with colors and its unique on-trend designs, the Gottex Spring/Summer 2008 collection emphasizes bright colors, classic monochromes and energetic peacock prints. This year its Brazilian Bond girls meet Rio Carnivale, with limes and lilacs, floaty pareos and ponchos.
Monokinis or Cut-Away Swimsuits
With their open-backs and cut-away fronts, one-piece monokinis cleverly create an optical illusion of an hourglass figure. Whether you call it a swimsuit or monokini, this is the hottest piece of swimwear this year.
Also known as cut-out or cut-away swimsuits, they can be cut away at the sides or the front (or both if you are feeling daring,) exposing your figure in all the right places. The back looks like a bikini, the front a swimsuit. Be warned though, to truly work this look you need a toned body and they can leave some very funny tanning marks! However, if you are not brave enough for a bikini, monokinis are useful for giving you a bit more cover-age in the front, than a bikini would.
One of the chicest and most feminine monokinis for 2008 is a white eye-popping peacock inspired monokini with cut-away sides, from the Gottex range . Complete with matching peacock print pareo this is one gorgeous swimsuit, feminine and stylish, but sexy at the same time.
The Versatile Tankini
Tankinis don't have to be boring. Choose a halter-neckline or fluttering top.DKNY has a black low-plunge halter-neck and Australian designer Seafolly has a black and white plunge halter-neck 70s top with ribbon detail. Both are available at Figleaves.com. Victoria's Secret has a tiger print tankini from their 2008 tankini collection, for those who are feel like walking on the wild side.
Many women with flab around the middle favor a tankini, as a compromise between a one-piece and a bikini. There are advantages and disadvantages with this style. It gives you coverage over your middle and the freedom of separate bikini briefs to make trips to the bathroom easier and gives you the option to mix and match. If you want to tan your stomach you can just roll the “tank” part up. However, a tankini can be less flattering in the long run that a one piece, which (provided you choose the right design) can have sleeker lines. It is a great option for mum’s-to-be though, as it will give you more room to expand during your pregnancy than a one-piece.
One Piece Swimsuits
The James Bond theme, shaken not stirred, is alive and well this year with Freya's mix of Bond girl and cocktail collection. In addition to their Vodkatini top and shorts, the Freya Swim Black Russian soft plunge halter one-piece is extremely figure flattering. La Blanca's Smooth Operator cowl-neck swimsuit is a stylish variation on the plunge-neck, and the Grecian, Going Greek plunge swimsuit is the epitome of chic. All swimsuits are available online from Figleaves.
It is always worth remembering that the cut of a one piece can either really enhance your figure or destroy it. Forget the sporty designs this year and go for alluring and chic. Follow a few simple rules when choosing a style:
- Big-busted women should avoid too much detailing around the bust (unless it is a V-neck, in which case it minimizes) and wide waists and hips should avoid detailing around the torso.
- Dark colors will flatter the areas you want to hide, light colors and heavy prints will exacerbate them. As far as color goes black will always look chic and white shows off a gorgeous tan to perfection (although sometimes not altogether practical!)
- Ruched swimsuits are great for disguising flabby bits and if you are well-endowed on the top half go for some support in the shape of a halter-neck or underwired cup. Bandeau styles and triangular cups look great on women with small breasts — high cut swimsuits will elongate the leg and slenderize hips.
Miraclesuit swimwear, known for making you "look 10 pounds lighter in 10 seconds,” also has a few sexy designs. This is the swimwear whose Miratex® lycra seemingly works miracles by reducing the appearance of your waist, hips and bust by clever styling. Decide on the bits you want to disguise and then go for a design with those particular properties.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
