A look at this year's trends in bikinis
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Global Times, July 8, 2011
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Latest bikini trends illustrated by Calvin Klein and H&M (left). |
Summer is all about the beach, and the beach is all about beachwear. So for most women, that means a bikini. Not an absolutely must-have item in Shanghai, you may think, but with the number of fake sandy shorelines getting larger every year (with City Beach at the downtown South Beach and Bihai Jinsha Beach in Fengxian district among the most popular), it might be worth the investment. And with temperatures rising, it's the ideal outfit to lounge around the garden or terrace. The Global Times checks out the latest bikini trends for 2011.
Bright colors
For the basic-design bikini, bright colors are a big hit this year, especially pink candy and fruit colors, as well as lemon yellows, hot pinks and emerald greens. Suitable for all kinds of skin, brilliant colors form a sharp, but attractive contrast with human skintones.
Brands like H&M have produced a wide variety of designs, mainly using orange, water green and lemon yellow. To enrich these designs, the bright-colored bikinis are also complemented by patterns including animals, flowers, bananas and stripes.
Minimalism and retro
Another extremely fashionable trend for bikinis this year is the minimalist look with simple colors like black and white, or decorated with polka dots. The colors may be low key, but the quality of the cutting is superb.
For Calvin Klein's 2011 range, a number of bikinis are on offer. One in pure black or white, without any fancy adornments, has a choice of characteristic design in the middle of the bra cups: a bow, a snap ring or a cutout.
For those who are confident about their body shape and eager to highlight their curves, this minimalist look could be a good choice.
Designs with polka dots make for a great retro look. It is more lively than pure black or white, and never goes out of date.
Etam's 2011 bikini designs also pay tribute to this retro sense of nostalgia, with their black-and-white stripes, pinstripes and grid patterns which transport the wearer back into the 1950s.
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Bikini looks of 2011 from H&M. |
All-in-ones
To some extent, the bikini is a challenge for women who aren't considered to have a conventional body shape, flat chestedness being one such instance.
In 2011 the trends include all-in-one bathing suits which can help to cover the bits you may rather weren't on show. For example, some delicate design connecting the upper half and lower half can focus attention away from flat breasts.
Another emerging bikini style borrows heavily from the detailing found in formal dresses, for example the off-one-shoulder design which helps to draw attention away from the chest, and accentuates the flowing lines of the whole body.
Bikinis off the beach
The bikini may have become a 20th century symbol of overt femininity, even if it can usually only be appreciated on the beach. However, by simple mixing and matching with other clothes, you can even enjoy wearing your bikini on the high street this summer.
Tie a bright-colored piece of material (or thin shawl) around your waist. This method works well when you wear a deep-colored bikini, with the extra material functioning as a loose-fitting short skirt.
If you want to present a more ladylike look, combine the bikini with a chiffon full-length skirts outside the underwear and a denim jacket outside the bra.
For a wilder and bolder effect, wear a transparent or semitransparent lace smock.
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