sun

One of my most feared and yet favorite times of year is Summer.  From October to May I long for the heat and sunshine and beach days!  I start purchasing my swimwear well before the Summer season begins and by the time Memorial Day hits my bathing suit drawer is over flowing!  Growing up on Long Island, the beach is not just a place to soak up a tan and cool off in the Atlantic, it is an endless, sandy, runway where every girl wants to have the most eye catching bikini or one-piece.  And, thanks to Facebook and Instagram, the pose off continues off the beach.

I have to say I am really excited to write about the swimwear trends for the 2013 Summer Season.  They are fresh and bold.  I will also give you some affordable options so you can rock these looks on any budget.

Retro is huge this year!  Not only in clothing but in swimwear as well.  If you read my last article you know all about my affinity for high waist!  And thankfully this trend is showing up for beach wear too.

 

These Retro vintage-feel bathing suits are my favorite for this season. The high waist bottoms look great with a variety of tops; bandeau, halter, string…  Mixing and matching only make this look feel more vintage and I especially love the idea of mixing prints.

Speaking of prints,  bold pattern and prints are another trend this year.  Aztec, houndstooth, floral, etc…  Pretty much any pattern you can imagine is showing up on Runways for Summer.  So feel free to stand out and make a statement.  Mix and match patterns and colors!  Also,  a look resurfacing this year is graphic prints.  The prints I have seen so far are animals, people, and landscapes.  These prints work best on a one-piece otherwise the effect is lost.

Now something for the sexy women out there.  Boudoir bathing suits are another hot trend this year.  The lingerie look is not something everyone would feel comfortable in but as long as you are confident you can pull this off.  Black, chic, and sexy are just a few of the details in this look.

 

Lastly, I’d like to quickly mention some bold looks that are trending this Summer.  The Rocker look is hard and accessorized and textures are also a fun look to try out this year.

 

Now obviously we can’t all afford Vivienne Westwood or Versaci bathing suits (myself included), luckily many affordable retail company’s offer a variety of these popular looks for reasonable prices.  Take a look below and hopefully you’ll find something that suits you!

www.forver21.com has some cute options as well as www.target.com.

Another site I’d like to mention is something you’ve heard me talk about before www.wanelo.com.  Just search your favorite look and browse from hundreds of retailers.  Also, www.etsy.com is a great place to find vintage and handmade swimwear.

Also, for you bling lovers out there, a friend of mine, Danielle, has created a business where she customizes beautifully decorated bathing suits.  Her one of a kind designs are stunning and the best part is you can request a look that is just for you.

Check out the Facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Bikini-Crush-Swimwear