Women's Swimwear Trends for 2008
From Bikinis & Swimsuits to Tankinis & Cut-Away Monokinis
Feb 1, 2008
When it is freezing cold outside, it is difficult to think about the swimsuit season, but in other parts of the world – Australia and Asia – summer has already come or is just about to begin.
This year, “Beach chic is redefined with bold colors, geometric prints and retro silhouettes-timeless, yet thoroughly modern.” According to the Fashion Cafe in their online article "Fashion Trends Swimwear 2008."
Here are a few keynote trends which are reflected in the collections for the Summer 2008 season:
Colors and Prints
- New York Runway trends for African inspired tribal and jungle prints can be seen in the new collections. Victoria’s Secret Designer Collections include a Red Carter Giraffe cut-out one-piece and a sexy Tiger print & dots push-up tankini top. Online retailers Asos, Figleaves and Victoria Secret feature swimwear with leopard or tiger prints.
- From the runways of Milan, geometric prints feature heavily this season along with the trend for asymmetry and one-shoulder styles.
- Monochromatic colors also feature heavily with large bold prints. You can't go wrong with classic black or white - the epitome of chic.
One-Piece Swimsuits
- 2008 trends see a big revival of the one-piece suit, which is often more flattering than a bikini. Says Australian swimwear manufacturer, Seafolly, “One pieces have made a resurgence on the fashion front in the last couple of years as they emphasize the silhouette and add an air of elegance to swimwear."
- Kerrie McCallum, editor of Shop Til You Drop, states "I am loving the revival of the one-piece, I think it's chic and glamorous," in the article "What's the one-piece you'll take on holiday," of January 2008.
- Main trends this season are Grecian-style one-shouldered swimsuits and a revival of the more conservative retro '40s and '50s style.
Cut-Away Swimsuits
- Call it a swimsuit or monokini, the hottest piece of swimwear this year is the cut-out or cut-away, according to Styledash in their online article “Trend alert cut out swimwear.”
- More sexy than a one-piece and less revealing than a bikini, the cut-away swimsuit is a great alternative, giving you more coverage around your stomach but provided a larger tanning area than a one piece. Great for giving you more tanning options that a one piece, especially with the open bikini-style back, but the only problem is some very strange tanning lines around your middle!
Bikinis and Tankinis
- The most on-trend bikinis are tiny this season, giving minimum coverage. A practical development is the inclusion of reversible bikinis such as Vitamin A’s Exotique Shimmer Print Reversable Halter Bikini Top, featured on Figleaves.com, a major online swimwear stockist.
- There is a growing number of tankini designs on the market which offer more coverage, hiding those unsightly lumps and bumps but there is an ever increasing trend for sexier tankinis, so this year you can find deep plunge-necklines and a variety of cuts in briefs. Take a look at Victoriasecret.com for ideas on the variety of styles available.
Embellishments
- This season’s trend of “embellishments” which proliferate dresses, shoes and handbags are carried through into sexy swimwear. Fringes, appliqué, swarovski crystals, beads and bows can be seen adorning swimsuit bottoms and tops.
Accessories
Cover up your swimwsuit with one of this season's on trend Caftan dresses (or Kaftan) or a versatile pareo (sarong). Top off your ensemble with a wide-brimmed sunhat or a fashionable panama hat.
Swimwear Designers
Mainstream swimwear designers Freya and Fantasie prove once again to provide winning designs. For 2008 Freya has launched a popular follow-up to the popular and stylish vodka martini, a stylish Vodkatini Bikini and Tankini which is a tasty blend of mocha, white and black for a great summer look. In keeping with the alcoholic theme there is also Freya's Black Russian Swimsuit, a sexy black swimsuit and their Singapore Sling Bikini.
Australian Designers
Let’s not forget Australian designers such as Zimmermann, Tigerlily and the mass-market Seafolly, who have been major influential players in fashion-forward swimwear designs for many years. Given Australia’s love affair with anything coastal or equatic it is not surprising that Australia has long been in the forefront of swimwear design.
In the 1950s, the bikini revolutionized swimwear and Australia’s iconic swimwear designer Paula Stafford caused a sensation on the beaches of Australia, with her revealing and exquisitely made designs, according to Australia's Madison magazine, in their January 2008 article “Costume Designer.”
“Since the 1980s swimwear has begun to make a fashion statement in its own right” says Madison, with functional swimwear and brands like Speedo, Ken Done and Brian Rochford.
In 1991, the Sydney based Zimmerman sisters Nicky and Simone focused their designs on terrestrial read-to-wear swimsuits and their bikinis have now become a global hit worldwide, selling in stores such as Harrods in the UK and Barneys in the US.
“Buying a bikini every year is part of our lifestyle and a ritual for Australian girls.” Says Anthony Halas, Managing Director of Seafolly. This popular Australian mass market swimwear manufacturer combines fashion with functionality and fit and their designs are available worldwide.
Sadly though for those women who do not have the perfect figure there are still not enough swimwear manufacturers, be it American, British or Australian, who concentrate on providing mix and match pieces or hiding figure flaws. When choosing any kind of swimwear, what may look great on a model will not necessarily be the same for you, so consider the right style for your body shape.
