Sizzle in your swimwear
IT was reported last week that women spend more on their swimwear than they do on their holidays. This either means that their holidays are very cheap or that their swimsuits are amazingly expensive, but the upshot is that swimwear is in the fashion spotlight and it just won’t do to, err, skimp.
Yet it’s not easy choosing swimwear – women’s bodies are a constant challenge when it comes to looking good in lycra. And this summer there are so many trends about, it can all be rather confusing. The main looks are cut-out costumes and 1950s-style big pants – oh, and everything in between.
But what can real women wear? Tara Nash King, founder of fashion brokerage Chic and Seek (chicandseek.com), says: “For the more curvy woman, I am a massive fan of the 1950s big pants look. They are super flattering for holding the stomach in. As for the cutout costume look, it’s very cool, perfect for posing in Ibiza at daytime parties, but not very good for getting a sensible tan line. And you need to be lean.”
But on the whole, it’s a good summer for the flabbier-stomached lady – as Nash King says: “One-pieces haven’t been in for ages. Now you can go crazy with them: animal prints, sequinny detail and other exotic patterns are popular.”
Need to know: Beachwear
If you’re lean, you’ll look great in an extreme cut-out costume. Just be sure to have a decent base tan, and to lather up well with cream to avoid odd tan lines.
If you’re curvy but slim, go for a bandeau-style top and a string-tie bikini bottom.
If you’re curvy: go for the 1950s style big pants bikini.
Cover-ups are all the rage: go for a tye-die kaftan or a playsuit.
Fashionistas accessorise their swimwear, so get jewelled up for a glam Ibiza look.
Great websites for swimwear are Clickini (www.clickini.com), and Lie Low (www.lielow.co.uk); a good high street shop is Oasis, as it lets you mix and match tops and bottoms.
1 Solid cut-out swimsuit, Calvin?Klein, £79, www.calvinklein.com
2 Phuket cut-out swimsuit, Melissa Odabash, £275, www.netaporter.com
3 Beige and black swimsuit, Pistol Panties, £180, www.apartment-c.com
4 Angola knit strapless tankini, Missoni, £424, www.netaporter.com
5 Halterneck swimsuit, Shan, £229, www.harrods.com
6 Orange bikini, Lacoste, £70, www.lacoste.com
7 Underwired bikini with medium waist, Jill?Sander, £220.45, www.clickini.com
8 Polka dot bikini top and shorts, Toast, top £32, shorts £30, www.toast.co.uk
9 Star one-piece, Tomas Maier, £287, www.clickini.com