Swimwear 101 – life’s a beach

Can you hear it? It began as a whisper but is becoming louder… it’s coming in under our office doors and through our bedroom windows… it’s the call of the ocean. Summer’s less than a month away and it means it’s time to pull out your Havaiana’s (what the hell did we wear before Hav’s? I can’t even remember) and get shopping for some new beach wear.

First of all, regarding bathers: DON’T PANIC. I know some people get whipped up into a frenzy about the idea of being in a bikini/one piece, but seriously, what else are you going to swim in? I love fashion and how clothes look, but it’s never worth getting anxious over. Swimming is an amazing part of summer and no one should miss out because they are self conscious. No one is looking at any of your faults. People are too worried about their own or, more likely, just enjoying themselves. I say this because as a teenager I used to be so worried about how I looked that I would never enjoy myself. Now I know it’s just silly to think that anyone is spending their day off, at the beach, looking critically at you. So stop it.

So this summer, it’s time to let go and find some easy styles that work for you. Every year new Aussie swimwear labels pop up and they are just getting better and better. Being one of the most ‘beachy’ countries in the world and being one of the first to have summer (well, in Jan and Feb!) each year, we are emerging as leaders of swimwear. Our prints are playful and bright, the fabrics pioneering and the designs are being developed more and more to flatter and give support to women of all shapes.

Here are my must/lust haves for summer 2010!

Girly girl bikini

Go Seafolly. Not only have you helped launch the career of one of my fave girls, Jess Hart, but you continue to make some of the most reliable and comfy togs around. I absolutely love this hot pink colour, which would look amazing with any skin tone and the cute ruffles just tip it over the edge. Number one on my lust list.

New sunglasses (not Ray-Bans)

Death to the Ray-Ban! Oh no she didn’t! Oh yes I did. They are still cool and I still like them, but just feel like they are lacking that ‘wow’ factor for summer. These Cat Eye glasses on the other hand…

Sailor stripes

Summer and sailor stripes go together so perfectly. Even though we have all been rocking stripes during the colder months, now that it’s getting warmer they are coming into their element so to speak. I love Vanessa Hudgen’s striped bikini – so simple and flattering. If you don’t already have a million rompers (guilty) then I love this striped romper from Birds of a Feather, get it from incityfashion.com.au!

Jersey mini & maxi

You know what I like most about summer clothes? They are so light, comfy and feel amazing. Especially now labels are giving the planet so much love and only using materials like eco certified cotton. One of my must haves for this sunny season is a lightweight, flowing dress in a jersey cotton material. I will go for the shorter version (as I’m a shorty) but if you have height, go for the maxi.

500 bags of summer

As always, my obsession with bags is both indecent and draining. Indecently obsessive and draining on my finances. Two of my favourite bags for this season is the tribal print slouch and the backpack. The backpack is back! Amazing. Put one on and you instantly feel 10 years younger. Who needs anti-aging cream?

Labels on my radar: Seafolly, Birds of a Feather, American Apparel, Zimmermann, Milk and Honey, Helmut Lang, Gorman, Isola by Megan Gale, Lover, Mela Purdie, Sportsgirl, Le Specs.