Miami sets trends for swimwear

Tags: bikinis | swim wear | trends

ook for retro swirls and polka dots. Abstract designs are turning up on bikinis with white backgrounds, harkening back to a freer time. Perry Ellis (pictured top, left) and Jantzen have better ones.

Florals. It's hard to make the case that there's anything new about floral prints, but they're being strutted out once again in full force and buyers are ooh-ing and ahh-ing over them.

These prints tend to have bulbous flowers, brightly rendered. Standouts include Done Australia (pictured bottom, left) Creative, Baltex, Leilani.

Belts. A good number of bathing suits will incorporate slender belts made of fabric, which add a touch of street to the beach. Look for versions by J.Lo and Ralph Lauren and AXM Swimwear (pictured top, right).

Wraps and skirts. Designers are introducing plenty of wraps for the buns, many in prints matching bathing suits, but in a more lightweight material. Pathos has one that's sheer black with white lettering.

Pink grapefruit, lemon and lime. Last spring's soft citrus colors are sticking around. Next year's bathing suits have pink aplenty, plus the yellows and now olive tones, too. Perry Ellis Swim takes the trend to a new level with a one-piece that incorporates an off-center print of a slice of lime.

One-piece bathing suits. This is something of a misnomer since many are practically bikinis. Dramatic cutouts coupled with integrated metal hoops give the suits a high-stepping, groovy look.

Ricochet's white one-piece with a string wrapped around bare hips is one naughty number. Other superior pieces are by Aguaclara (pictured bottom, right), Mainstream, Carol Wior Swimwear, Speedo and Endless Sun.

Done Australia showed a white bikini with small patches of color against white. And a few designers are bring back the crocheted knit swimsuit - check out Anna Kosturova Swimwear. And Ricochet has a winner in a darkly handsome striped bikini offset by black edging.

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