April 5, 2000
By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
Beadwork. Satin edges. Lace
trimming. And kicky little belts. These are just some of the design
elements on this year's bathing suits, which share the season's ready-to-wear
trends.
Designers are offering a
variety of cuts so that women may mix and match boy-cut shorts with a bikini
top, a string bikini bottom with a tankini top or a beaded fringe two-piece
suit with a tie-up blouse to complete the ensemble.
"We're seeing a lot of dressmaker
detailing on swimsuits this year," said Diane Smith, senior editor of Sports
Illustrated's swimsuit issue. "These details are very subtle and delicate,
but they're also very modern looking. What's so great is that even though
they're very pretty, you're actually able to swim in them."
What a concept - a bathing
suit that doesn't evaporate when it gets wet.
Still, if you're not mistaken
for Elle MacPherson on a regular basis, there's a good chance that you
palpitate at the idea of squeezing your body into a piece of Lycra the
size of your head.
Guess what? Even those buoyant,
rail-thin models in the swimsuit issue have their hit-or-miss days.
Honest.
The editor says so.
"Most of us look at these
models and view them as having perfect bodies," says Smith. "But when we
have them try on suits, there are some that just don't flatter them as
much as another style. The key to finding a good bathing suit is to be
a little bit adventurous. Take a bunch of suits that you don't think you'd
ever wear and try them on in the dressing room. You'd be surprised
at what you'll find looks good on you."
As for what's out of style
this season?
"We're not seeing many fluorescent
colors these days," Smith said. "We're seeing pale green and butter yellow
- soft colors more so than really bright ones. And you can never go wrong
with the classics like navy, black and brown."
Read more about Swimsuits:
Speedo
Summer 2005
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