Here in North Yorkshire, it has been (unusually) hot and sunny for most of the last week which has made me long even more for my upcoming summer holiday. Last year my children and I went to Woolacombe in Devon and had a brilliant time, but it was so cold that we used our beach towels to wrap up in rather than to lie on. Having correctly anticipated this scenario, I didn't buy any beach wear before away going last year. This year, however, we are going abroad to where sunshine is guaranteed, so I have been looking for some new bikinis and swimsuits.
My fashion pages in the June issue of the magazine I write for are about swimwear trends so my research proved to be a happy combination of work and pleasure. I have put together a selection of styles that caught my eye from three of my favourite websites and have written about the main swimwear trends for Summer 2016.
My fashion pages in the June issue of the magazine I write for are about swimwear trends so my research proved to be a happy combination of work and pleasure. I have put together a selection of styles that caught my eye from three of my favourite websites and have written about the main swimwear trends for Summer 2016.
So what's hot this summer?
Swimsuits were once merely something to cover up in while languishing by, or in, a pool or the sea. Today they can resemble a piece of art. While some appear on the main runways of New York, London, Paris and Milan, most swimwear trends come from The Beach Fashion Week which is held in Miami every year.
Swimsuits were once merely something to cover up in while languishing by, or in, a pool or the sea. Today they can resemble a piece of art. While some appear on the main runways of New York, London, Paris and Milan, most swimwear trends come from The Beach Fashion Week which is held in Miami every year.
The trend for one-piece swimwear continues, from the simplest of silhouettes to those with sexy lace-up detail along each side or down the body. They come in all shapes and sizes and one of the biggest trends is the cut out. During Beach Fashion Week, body parts were bared through strategically placed slashes and holes. As frightening as this may sound, many of the designs look arty and modern and still provide ample support.
Plunging and sweetheart necklines are on trend in swimwear as well as in ready-to-wear and couture dresses. This was very much in evidence with the dresses worn to this year’s Oscars ceremony. In contrast and equally prevalent are high neck crop top bikinis. Halter neck styles accentuate the shoulder, echoing the trend for the “cold shoulder” seen in almost every designer’s collection this season.
Retro styles never really leave the runway and are perpetual favourites. This season, retro styles enjoy brighter colours, sheer inserts and a hint of the coquette. Retro styles focus on the waist and bust which can really add to the beauty of a swimsuit.
The 1970s are still influencing this season’s fashion, and on clothing and swimwear, fringing is huge. Fringed halter bikinis made up of the tiniest triangles may be only for the bravest among us, but for the rest of us, cover-ups with fringed hems are the perfect way to embrace this particular trend.Ruffles are very much part 2016’s trend for soft Victoriana. While they look adorable on clothing, they can look even more so on swimwear. Whether it is tiny ruffles on bikini bottoms or flouncy, floaty frills on bikini tops or one-piece designs, frills are making a splash.
With the Olympics taking place in Rio this year, sporty swimwear is very much in favour too. Sport-luxe designs combine beach looks with streamlined silhouettes. Think stripes, mesh, and beach volleyball for the ultimate in sexy sporty chic.
Turquoise is trending as are softer shades of aqua but it is orange that is the biggest colour trend. From soft peach through to the darker almost sunset hues, there is a myriad of shades. Orange is vibrant and positive and with the right shade, will make every skin tone look amazing.
Nautical stripes, animal print and monochrome are perennial favourites and this season once again made up a significant part of the Beach runway shows. This season, leopard print, while in evidence, has made way for snake print and fish scales to prevail, and floral prints and all-over stripes ensure there is something for pattern lovers everywhere.
UK Swimwear has literally hundreds of bikinis and swimsuits plus mastectomy wear and beach cover-ups from a wide selection of well-known and leading swimwear brands. Some are very high fashion and feature mesh panels and cut-away sides whereas others are more traditional styles. I think there is something for everyone on this website.
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| UK Swimwear |
Kaleidoscope has a dedicated holiday shop including beach wear, cover-ups and accessories. As well as the Kaleidoscope brand there is also swimwear by Heine, Joe Browns and others. I have got the red nautical striped swimsuit at the bottom left of this collage and it's lovely and very well made with a great fit. It has a low back with navy bow detail and I'll be sharing more about that in future.
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| Kaleidoscope |
One of my go-to websites for everything is Boden, but I have never actually had any beachwear from there. I particuarly like the look of the ruffles on the bikini in the large picture below as well as the colour block halter neck sporty style swimsuits top left and middle right.
Let the holiday countdown begin,
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