| Related Articles: Clothing & Accessories, All |
Silicon Valley Fashion: Summer SwimwearMonokinis rule this summer’s sexy beachcombing essentialsby Kristine Bautista on Jul 01, 2010WHEN SHOPPING for women’s swimwear, it has traditionally been a question of this or that—namely, one-piece or two-piece. But in recent years, the swimwear industry has exploded, catering to all shapes and sizes with a plethora of cuts and colors to assuage the conscious consumer. The summer of 2010 is the year of the one-piece, with many beach-goers opting for the sexy monokini, a creation that combines the elegance of a one-piece with flirty, daring cut-outs. Names like GUESS and L*SPACE SWIMWEAR have found creative ways to make their monokinis distinctive, with plunging V-necklines and risqué slash marks that call attention to some parts of the body while concealing others. Both curvy and skinny women can benefit from this look, as celebrities KIM KARDASHIAN and PARIS HILTON have demonstrated. Better, to hit the club after lounging poolside, pair the monokini with a flowy skirt and heels to convert it into a daring party top. Just beware of unsightly tan lines. French bandeau tops were big back in the day, but never like this. This summer finds the bandeau interpreted into hundreds of different styles, from straps to strapless, solid to printed, and with clasps that vary from seashells to hearts, beads and silver rings. It is found in lavish amounts in the always sexy VICTORIA’S SECRET, as well as in the high-end collections of MAAJI and ONDADEMAR. Bandeaus are perfect for those with a small bust, as their heart-shaped and twisted clasps tend to give the illusion of a fuller chest. Swimwear is also beginning to take more cues from current apparel trends. This season’s “it” colors, fuchsia and purple, are well represented. The one-shoulder trend, which has been a popular facet for nightlife-ready dresses and shirts for the last few years, just recently began spilling over into the realm of pool wear. A great example is AGUA BENDITA’s vibrant collection, which features a creative over-the-shoulder swim top that trumps the traditional bikini. Furthermore, this season’s ruffles are featured on many tops and bottoms, adding a little more “oomph” to areas that are lacking. OLD NAVY has a reasonably priced mix-and-match collection of ruffled bikini bottoms to choose from, and the always out-there BETSEY JOHNSON joins in on the fun with a green plaid top smattered with playful frills. These days, beachwear is defined not only by the bathing suit, but what goes over it. Having finally settled on a swim look, there’s always the issue of what to wear over it: welcome to the world of cover-ups. Sheer cover-ups are must-haves, and can do wonders for recycled bathing suits. Also popular for 2010 is the romper. Usually associated with children’s fashion, this summer the romper is the hot cover-up trend for women at the beach. LOVE CULTURE in the Great Mall in Milpitas offers many colorful options. Adorable and comfy, the romper can be paired with fancy flats to create a vibe that looks both current and effortless. No matter what one chooses, there are endless ways to make an impression at the beach. And with the hotter days rapidly approaching, there’s no better time to foster some creative pairings. Detox Pool Party Sundays, noon–sunset, Doubletree Hotel, San Jose; $20; 408.453.4000 by Kristine Bautista on Jul 01, 2010 |
 BEACH BLANKET BINGO: This daring tropical print monokini is by Phax Swimwear. |
|
|
