Adult Swim

It's never too early to start planning for swim suit season. Especially this year, with a myriad of styles that will help you exude sophistication, femininity and spunk. Even the buzz around the new swimwear can't capture the scope of creativity in the new lines and trends. Think of this season as the "shake and bake" of swim suit fashions where anything goes; vintage meets modern and the designers really take things up a notch by mixing and matching unexpected colors and fabrics.

Everywhere you turn, you’ll find a swim suit that’s more delectable than the one before. From swimwear that takes you back in time to pieces that transform you into a true beach goddess. Swim suit fashions for 2011 offer an oasis of personal expression. Maybe it’s the possibility of an impromptu vacation talking or perhaps it’s the thought of the impending warmer temperatures but my bathing suit radar is off the charts, honing in on some truly amazing swimwear finds. But before you give into temptation and buy one, check out the current trends and find what works best for your body type. Because I could literally write a book on this topic, I am featuring my top three swimsuit trends.

Pin Up Chic

Take lessons from Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren, starlets in bikinis are a dime a dozen but legends live forever. Succumb to the 1950's inspired swimwear with high waistlines and boyleg bottoms perfectly captured by this retro influenced DVF swimsuit to the left. The higher cut is uber sexy and slimming, since it draws attention to the smallest part of your waist. We all love to turn heads, so don't be surprised when you become the center of attention when channeling a 1950's vixen. And since there is something to be said about leaving things to the imagination this the pin-up inspired look will do the trick.

Vintage influenced swimsuits are all the rage and happen to be one my favorite trends this season. I am particularly partial to the one pieces. A bathing suit that embodies all that I love about this style is the mesh swimsuit by Norma Kamali. It is classic, feminine and ultra chic. The soft ruching and the transparency of the fabric layers give it exquisite appeal. But this trendsetter comes at a price, $350 to be exact. So to achieve the same effect for less, opt for a similar style by J. Crew for $125.

The Timeless One Piece

If you are a slave to fashion like I am, you may have noticed an influx of one piece bathing suits flooding the stores. These one pieces are not what you're accustomed to. Sure they are functional, but they are also incredibly sexy and dynamic. I know that things have changed because I didn't always gravitate towards one pieces. But this season has made me revisit this style and indulge in all of the irresistible options. So all you beach bums reading this, these gorgeous swimsuits may just make you want to redefine your tan lines... One piece swimsuits are like snow fakes, every style is slightly different. From deep v-cuts to retro maillot styles, one piece swim suits come in all fabrics, colors and patterns; allowing you to reveal as little or as much as you wish. They’re great for swimming, covering up imperfections and ideal for water sports. You still want to look fashionable, right? Well, this is an easy way to stay covered up in style. The forecast calls for no wardrobe malfunctions and anything is possible.

Mismatched

At first glance, these bold two piece bikinis may appear mismatched, but what you may not know is that this was deliberately done by the designers to kick off one of the hottest trends of the season. This opens up a whole new realm of swimsuit possibilities.

If you dare, try this edgy and eclectic trend for yourself but be cognisant of it's perks and constraints. You can choose tops and bottoms that accentuate your best features, you can mix prints with solids and you can play around with two of your favorite hues. The rules to follow are to stick to a single fabric, pair two contrasting solid colors and to pick prints that play off of one another. Just like with clothes, wear a solid color on the part of your body that you wish to draw less attention to.

If you are smaller up top wear a fun print to make it appear bigger and a solid bottom to give the illusion of smaller hips. If you are bustier, try a solid top and a bottom with a busier pattern. One last tip, if you've ever lost a part of your bikini, now you can buy a great match or should I say mismatch to compliment it and people will think that you bought a brand new swimsuit. Consider yourself saved by a trend.

To make your life easier, you can invest in already mixed bikinis which will help you achieve this modern look more effortlessly. I am a personal fan of the Coquetel Rum bikini by Salinas and the The Very Sexy Tropical Bandeau Bikini by Victoria's Secret.

Where To Shop?

Shopping for swimwear online can be nerve wrecking and confusing. Every designer is different and you never know how it will fit. Sort of like shopping in the dark. This is the reason why InStyleSwimwear.com is so great and why it is my absolute go-to shopping site for swimwear. They offer live online assistance, suggest the best styles and cuts for your body type and tell you what to steer clear of. Did you know that Brazilian cut bottoms often require you to purchase a size up? I didn't, until I spoke to one of their specialists. They know everything there is to know about swimwear and cover-ups.

When I asked the founder of InStyleSwimwear.com to shed light on some common swimwear shopping mistakes women make, this is what Alla had to say:

"If I had to give one suggestion to women about bathing suits, I would recommend to be open minded. Open minded about styles and fit. If you traditionally wear only underwire tops, try a halter, you may be pleasantly surprised to see how well it fits. And in terms of a fit, don't fixate on the size on the tag. There really is no one centralized sizing system, so a small in one brand can be equivalent to a large in another."

When you are ready to soak up the sun, I hope my tips will help you do it in style. Happy shopping ladies!

- Biana

www.PhillyFashionistas.com