Remember those Hollywood bathing beauties of the `40s and `50s? Those staples of cheesecake photography who wore dazzling smiles and suits that, with their often itchy and unyielding fabric, had much more appeal for the beholder than the wearer?
Today`s women demand a lot more from all their clothing, no matter the context, and with the advent of wonder fabrics such as Lycra, they have become accustomed to having it all in their ready-to-wear. Logically, nothing less will do in swimwear, and thus comfort and practicality are now as vital as glamor and beauty.
Such a standard is what designer Michael Kors has been striving for in his year-old swimwear division. ”As the lines between lingerie, exercise wear and tailored clothing have blurred, we have come to realize the versatility of swimwear too. The maillot that a woman wears to the beach can also take her to dinner with the addition of a skirt or slacks-or she can pair a bra top from a bikini with leggings and a jacket. We use stretch taffeta, laces and metallics that are soft yet very modern. No matter what the shape, fabric or initial purpose of a piece of clothing, it`s all about comfort.”
The `40s feeling of chic elegance, as seen on the fashion runways and current movies, has returned, and swimwear has followed suit. Deep plunging neck maillots, two pieces with ruched and discreet-yet-sexy ”boy-leg”
bottoms and structured bra tops, recall the old days. And now that retailers are realizing there is a swimsuit market beyond nubile teens or Florida retirees-namely the sophisticated woman in better-than-average shape who wants fashion and versatility-designers are creating suits that are more structured, but structured in a way that shapes and smoothes the body into its best possible silhouette.
Thus the fashionable women who will be spotted at winter resorts or on beaches this summer will have the look of the poolside starlets of yore-but with a lot more comfort.
