Swimsuits for Summer 2003
By Elizabeth Schuyler
Photos by Dan Vaillancourt, Patrick O'Connor Photography
The first day of summer has
come and gone and it's time to take
advantage of warmer weather and hit
the beach as often as possible, especially
since we've all just lived through one of
the coldest, wettest springs in history. When
the hot sun finally shows up, everyone and
their mama will pack up the car and head to
the beach! Before swarming to department
stores to look for a new bathing suit, read on
to find out about the hottest styles that are
making the biggest splash this summer.
What's hot for women? How
about ordering a sexy swimsuit
from a Victoria's Secret
catalog to turn heads while you're
walking down the beach. What's
not? Trying to fit into that two-sizes-too-small suit from last year, or
worse, the suit you've had since
you graduated from high school.
What's hot for men? Hawaiian
surfer-print shorts or side stripes with
floral accents. What's not? Gym
shorts, bikinis, and anything fluorescent.
If there is at least one good
reason to buy a new suit this year,
whether you've been hitting the
gym or not, it's because the styles
are designed to complement any
figure.
This summer, be comfortable in
the skin you're in. Don't think that if
your shape doesn't fit the description
of the ideal prototype, figuratively
speaking, you won't look
good on the beach. Treat yourself
to a fun new look! We all come in
different shapes and sizes so there
are bathing suits for all of us.
Finding the style of bathing suit perfect
for you will take time, but it's
worth the effort!.
In the past, it's been hip to think
that the more you reveal in a bikini,
the better. In 2003, less is definitely
more. The proof is in the abundance of halter tops, tankinis,
and camikinis being produced for the season, as well as the
sustained popularity of the one-piece suit. The major difference
between the two-piece tops is that you have to
decide how much you want to show or cover up while staying
fashionable. If you're more self-conscious about your
bottom half, a pair of cabana pants or a sheer floral sarong
can give you the coverage you want, and the comfort to
flaunt what you got.
Another reason to hit up department and specialty stores
is to get your hands on some of the most innovative designs
ever offered in a swimsuit. Geometric designs and the bright
montages of paisley and floral prints will blanket beaches
from sea to shining sea in colors similar to summer's vibrantly
alive colors. Animal and tribal prints are also heavy hitters
along with textured and even crocheted tops. With all the
new prints to choose from, you can't go wrong with stripes,
plaids, or solids. Make your swimsuit search all about
you and your unique style!
Guys, take time out to pick up something special for
this summer's suit. The variety of swimming trunks allows
you to choose from solid styles to Hawaiian-inspired
designs in a single side stripe, the front stripe, or just all
over. Most of the styles are colored in shades of green
and blue. The main emphasis is on comfort. For
instance, the "Jamaican Boxer" shorts by Polo Sport,
are wide enough to give you enough leg room
whether you're just chilling by the water, hanging out
at the snack stand, or kicking back on a boat ride.
Bathing suits are very personal items for just about
everyone, so it's good news that this summer's styles
are as diverse as body types. No matter what your
shape, there's bound to be a bathing suit that will highlight
your best assets and dress you up (or down!) for
hot fun in the summertime.
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