2008 Designer Swimwear Forecast – Top Trends in Women’s Swimwear
Follow these tips for a summer of fun in the sun!
It’s that time of year again… Yes, it’s swimwear season! (Well, at the very least summer is fast approaching). So now is the perfect time to start thinking about your own swimsuit collection.
Whether you’re a one-piece, Brazilian bikini or tankini kind-of-a girl, this summer is set to be a scorcher with the range of hot new swimwear designs we’re seeing from the industry’s hottest designers.
The Miami Swim show (as part of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) saw some fresh, new faces and rising stars, as well as the return of heavyweights Gideon Oberson and Lycra. Longtime favorites Red Carter and Shay Todd were also there, making for a glamour-packed event and some incredible, new women’s swimsuit designs.
From bejeweled bikinis to safari prints, the verdict was feminine yet sexy, with elegant swimsuits with an added twist of fun. Ready for a summer of fun in the sun? Dive in with these surefire tips for 2008’s hottest new swimwear styles.
Ruched Bottoms
Ruched bottoms are all the rage this year, being donned by the bums of Beach Bunny and Maya Swimwear to name a few. Ruched bottoms? It’s an inner seam up the center back of a bikini bottom that has been slightly gathered. The effect is ultra-flattering to the behind (no more flapping, excess fabric) and the look is super cute. Playful and flattering, what more could you want from a bikini bottom?! Beach Bunny is also known to add a diamond-shaped dip at the top, as well as jeweled rings, to highlight the effect.
Bejeweled Bikinis
Speaking of jewels, this season is filled with them, dazzling on bikini tops and bottoms left, right and center. Sauvage Swimwear has been keen on the lead with glittering numbers ‘Cobalt Crystal’ and ‘Jade Mountain 2’ taking center stage. Swarovski crystal and African turquoise stones are just an example of the quality, as well as the luxurious look, you can expect this summer. So jewel up to sparkle and shine!
Bandeau Tops
Bandeau is back this year and looking gorgeous as ever. It seems every designer has its own rendition, with everyone from Red Carter and Sauvage to Odabash offering their take on the beautiful bandeau. While classically without, this year sees the bandeau in some cases with the addition of removable straps. Birdie Jo Swimwear is a favorite with this look. Great for those who need additional support, and once removed, great for tanning. For an ultra-feminine swimsuit look, you can’t go past the bandeau this summer.
Metal Rings
For another hard to beat (and hard to miss) look this season, keep your eyes on metal rings. Ring detailing can be seen in just about every designer swimwear collection – Odabash, Red Carter, Sauvage, Beach Bunny, Vitamin A, Luli Fama, Vix, the list goes on. Rings are particularly favored on the hips (and are often curved to fit) and paired with bandeau tops bearing matching rings at the center front. The look is glamorous and a little sexy with the additional hint of skin. Go for gold or silver and choose small circles or medium elliptical shaped rings for maximum effect.
Safari Prints
Animal prints have long been a favored women’s swimwear motif. But 2008 sees the animal print with a new-found twist. This summer, look out for safari-inspired designs, like the ‘Zimbabwe’ and ‘Kenya’ swimsuits of Red Carter whose zebra and giraffe style patterns are detailed with embroidered sequins and beads. Or take the lead from Beach Bunny and Sauvage and mix things up by choosing animal prints in unique color combinations, like aqua blue and black, or forest green and brown. For sexy and wild this summer, go animalistic!
Black, White & Blue
For straight-up color, 2008 is all about black, white and blue. Blues can be seen at both ends of the spectrum, with aquas and marines featuring prominently. Odabash favored a range of creams, but pure white is the star this season. The runways of Vix, Beach Bunny and Maya, amongst many others, were filled with striking solids in Miami this year, so make sure to grab yourself a signature suit in one of these hot colors.
The 2008 women’s swimwear collection is hotter than ever. With a sizzling summer soon approaching, make sure you’re ready with a hot new swimsuit to enjoy some summertime fun in the sun!
© Azura Swimwear
Yasmin Newman is a swimwear buyer for http://www.azuraswimwear.com