Trends

Fruity summer beachwear

The catwalks at ispo Summer 05 were filled with models in costumes with colours ranging from pastels to vibrant fruit colours – especially yellow and green tones. Combine these colours with white and you have a fresh new look. Fruity orange and berry, as well as coral, create a stunning mix with neutrals (brown, grey and black). For a sportier edge, go for aqua tones – from ocean blue to turquoise. However, if the recent pink-fad has left your customers wanting more, don’t despair. Purple, violet, mauve, pink, rose and off-white are also popular.

Men can look forward to blues of all tones, with splashes of glowing or dark red as well as grey.

Prints are an all important factor, from realistic photo prints with tattoo motifs to graphic, stylized images and logos, which are also shown in matching shades in "wetprint" graphics.

There is a range of inspiration to choose from this summer – going as far back as the sassy 60’s and the laid-back 70’s; while at the same time incorporating images from Brazil, the South Seas and Africa.

The 60’s inspiration brings with it a feminine unisex twist - big in the fashion stakes this summer. Bikinis have wide panties with wide waist belts or rings set to the sides, à la the Bond girls. The 70’s hippy-look brings super-low hipster panties – either as boy shorts with slit sides or as sexy panties – which are worn low and boast belts or little ribbons on the side. The tops are scanty and are held with neckholders or triangles.

Geometric patterns, such as pop art dots and graphic prints, this time with fruit and blossoms, remind you of wallpaper from 30 years ago.

Warm, earthy colours such as mocha and chocolate brown give an African feel, as well as animal prints and embroidery. Pearls and feather appliqués from Brazil and the floral patterns from the South Seas complete the look.

The shape for summer is all about showing as much as possible, with bikini’s dominating, while cut-outs and monokini’s - linking tops and bottoms with a narrow connecting piece - reaffirm their place in the market.

Next summer the emphasis will be placed on the bottom, instead of the breasts. However, the one-piece bathing suit is becoming more popular. Even the sporty bathing suits are much sexier, with more leg exposed and intricate placed prints.

The tops come in variants - from triangle cuts to wired or cup bra’s, which can be mixed and matched with bottoms to suit the customer’s wants and needs. The tops are often padded in the front and have removable padding. Cup sizes have also been adjusted, with manufacturers now offering tops with sizes up to D cup – which will, no doubt, be welcome in the SA market.

Men’s bathing suits have a square shape, with slit or shortened suit legs. As always, shorts are also a good option, with a waistband containing rubber draw cords.

Accessories reflect the inspiration and colours used for the costumes.