The Mannequin: Swim In Style

With Spring Break on my mind, that only means one thing...the start of a new swimsuit season! As a girl who thinks summer without a new swimsuit is like a day at the beach with no sun, there are plenty of new trends this year that I would love to dive into. The 2011 swimsuits and bikinis will be all about the 70s bohemian movement. This season is highlighting many different styles, including bandeaus, triangle tops, halter tops and yes, monikinis are still in! With this broad assortment of styles, every beach bum is sure to find the right suit. It will also be a very colorful season including vibrant palettes, mixed hues, eclectic prints, gold hardware and diverse textures. Most importantly, opting for a swimsuit which will not only suit the new trends, but your body type as well as personality is a must if you wish to radiate confidence and feel great in your own skin.

Let's get down to business:

STYLES
This 2011 season will continue to bring us the bandeaus and monokinis introduced in the past few seasons, as well as the timeless triangle and halter bikinis. The bottom coverage will also continue to be very diverse, with Brazilian cuts, moderate coverage and the 70's inspired high waist bottoms.

L Space Sensual Solids classic triangle suit

Luli Fama Quiero Fiesta bandeau top

Victoria's Secret Retro Polkadot

Nanette Lepore Rhumba monokini

COLORS
2011 color trends offer summer favorites in the blue-green, orange and pink families. The blue hues come in many shades including turquoise, sky blue, seafoam green and olive. Pink-orange hues are also popping up all over the swimwear runways this season, especially in coral, burnt orange and raspberry pink which are flattering on all skin tones. Last year's 80's inspirations have been toned down and are more muted for a sophisticated palette. And don't worry, the always classic black and white will be in full effect once again.

PRINTS

Break out your passport, the tribe has spoken! Designers featured all kinds of hot ethnic looks with Native American, Moroccan and African inspiration. The printed suits have an exotic sex appeal and are perfect for some fun in the sun. The bold, bright prints remind us how beautiful fashion can be incorporated into swimwear as well.

Caffe Hot Blooded

Mara Hoffman Classic Side Tie

Luli Fama Timbales

Cia Maritima Peacock

OndadeMar Silk Butterfly

Masquenada Baby Hold On

ACCENTS
From frills to fringe, this season is all about the accents. You will find jewelry-like accents, gold hardware, plenty of fringe, beading, ruffles and much more. These accents add a luxurious touch that can transform any plain old bikini into a fashion forward look. Next thing you know, you'll be strutin' your stuff down the beach like it’s a runway.

Beach Bunny Glitter in the Air

designer unkown

Vix Lou Lou

Trina Turk Solo

Victorias Secret Jewel-embellished

COVER UPS
No summertime wardrobe is complete without a chic and easy swimsuit cover-up. Why do you need a cover-up you ask? Maybe you are just not quite ready to strut down the beach in a bikini or you’re turning into a human lobster frying in the sun. Even worse, you know that awkward moment when you’re tip-toeing through the hotel lobby, wrapped in a towel on your way to the pool, or you just want to throw something on to take a quick lunch break? Well these uncomfortable showings can be avoided if you have stylish cover-up.Whether you need a top to prevent your back and shoulders from getting a little too toasty or you just need a dress that works equally well in the sand as it does for lunch reservations, here are some of my favorite picks...