Barely there will always be "in" as far as swimsuits go, but this summer another hot trend is getting some serious sun time: flirty, flouncy swimdresses and swim skirts. Beyoncé rocked one recently and was proof positive that this retro, sexy look can be as glamorous as (and often more flattering than) any itsy bitsy teeny bikini. Here's how to make sure your swimdress falls under the "hot" category, rather than the "matronly" one:
Solids only - Stick with a solid color to make sure your suit will look streamlined and sophisticated. If you do choose a suit with a design, choose small-scale prints, or a simple stripe.
Optical illusions - If you want to add volume, say, to a small bust, look for ruffles in that area. If you want to minimize an area, like, say, a tummy bulge, opt for ruched or shirred fabric to help camoflage.
Short and sweet - Of course, the benefit of a swimdress or skirt is that it conceals the top of your thighs and rear. But be careful not to go for too much of a good thing. A suit with too much material can have the opposite effect and make your frame look bulkier, especially if you're petite. Choose a slim, body-skimming skirt that falls no more than about 10 inches from your waist. Not only will this keep the look youthful and flirty, but it will also keep you more comfortable when the fabric gets wet.
Oh, and one more very practical advantage to this look: just throw on your flip-flops and voila! You can go straight from beach to street with nary a wardrobe change.
