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The itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-yellow-polka-dot bikini brigade will be disappointed by
this summer's return to
sixties elegance and sophistication à la
Jackie O. This year full briefs are back in fashion - good news for those of us 'blessed' with real hips but, alas and alack, unforgiving if you've got a few extra pounds piled around your middle - and, after a long winter hidden under comfy layers, who hasn't? So it's flat tummies all round matched with triangle bras (although bandeau styles are beginning to make a comeback) for a look that's
more intriguing than
revealing. This season's beachwear exudes
money and
luxury and the look isn't complete without the right accessories. Must-haves to keep the heat up this summer are
sixties-style headscarves, bug-eyed
sunglasses,
sarongs, gossamer-light
shawls and roomy
shoulder bags. Make-up and jewellery-junkies rejoice as both are essential this year to look good under the sun. It's a case of
'who dares swims' at
Argentovivo, where models stride across the sand in brightly coloured bikinis, purple varnish on their nails and jewel-encrusted bracelets on their wrists (it doesn't matter if the jewellery is fake or imitation - the key word for this look is
impact).
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The
all-in-one swimsuit is back in fashion again after years of neglect, in both classic styles from sport labels such as
Superga, and more elegant cuts from the fashion labels.
Colour wise there's something for everyone: from flowery patterns to ethnic designs and zebra prints not forgetting the classical block colour in black, navy, light blue, white and beige.
There's also a wide choice of
materials available: cotton, lycra, mock-croc, leather-look as well as high-tech fabrics designed to keep you looking cool when the temperatures go up.
The same applies to
beach boys - the choice is endless: with a wide variety of colours and prints as well as the more traditional black and white or navy and white stripes.
"
Surf-boy shorts or skimpy trunks?" There's no rules this season - just go with the flow and let your real self show.