by MIKE CHAIKEN
CTFashionMag.com
In Connecticut, Memorial Day weekend marks the opening day for many of the state-operated beaches.
And beach weather means it is swimsuit season.
If you’re looking to retire last season’s suits, Connecticut style experts said one-pieces, ruffles, and bright colors are sure to be seen on sandy towels and in the water for 2019.
“Shopping for swimwear isn’t always easy,” said Alyssa Anderson, the current Miss Watertown and a fashion stylist. “There are many different shapes and styles of swimwear to choose from, but this year the trend seems to be one piece swimsuits.”
Caron Reilly, a MyStylist at Macy’s in the Westfarms Mall in Farmington, said a “bright one-piece” is one of the looks to admire this season.”
The trend toward one-pieces is especially prominent for young adults, said Anderson. They should be looking for one-pieces in floral, stripe, metallic and animal prints. They also should be eying geometric cutouts and textures.”
“Cut-outs – or the swim suit formerly known as the monokini- continue (to be on trend) into 2019,” said fashion stylist Tanya Thauthong-Kass of Lord and Taylor, which has a store in Danbury. “Use the cutout placement to your advantage, flaunt your best assets by choosing a suit that reveals your favorite features.”
“This year for kids and adults alike the trends are (toward) sun protection and double-duty,” said Susan Pagan, a fashion and image consultant with My Strongest Suit (mystrongestsuit.com) in Brookfield. “We are seeing more coverage in swimsuits: high waists in the two-pieces, thicker straps, more support such as underwire, as well as the thicker straps boy-leg bottoms.”
In addition to one-pieces and more coverage, Thauthong-Kass said women should “add a little feminine flair with ruffles.”
“Ruffles serve various purposes,” said Thauthong-Kass. “(You can) add a cup size by choosing a swimsuit with ruffles along your bust line.”
Ruffles aren’t just for adults this year, said Anderson. “Ruffles seem to be very on trend for children.”
Additionally, said Reilly, “Swimsuits this season for women, men, and children are all about bold and vibrant summer colors… Colors like pink, orange, red and incorporating prints to show off the bold colors is important.”
“Brighten up,” said Lord and Taylor’s Thaunthong-Kass. “Rainbow is all the craze.” She added, “Choose a suit with vertical rainbow stripes to lengthen your torso.”
Pagan also cited bold colors as a top trend in 2o19.
Shoppers also should look for textures–like crochet sets– animal print, and glitter (“Which I love”), said Pagan, who will be competing for the title of Mrs. Woman of the Universe.
“For tweens and teenagers,” said Anderson, “triangle bikinis are very popular (this season).”
Reilly said a retro-striped bikini also is stylish this season.
“Enhanced swimsuits serving two purposes are popular as well,” said Pagan. “Three piece sets including a cover-up, or short bottoms, as well as larger top coverage can be used in the water or as streetwear.
Don’t forget the accessories, said Reilly. This season, the Macy’s representative said, “woven bags, hats, and espadrilles (will) complete the outfit.
And for the men this season, Reilly said, “Calvin Klein has the perfect color blocked swim shorts that incorporate great hues and a classic fit.”
No matter the trends, said Anderson, “The most important part of selecting swimwear is being confident in the shape and style that you choose.”
