48 — Sunday, June 2, 1991 ~ North Shore News

Swimwear t

WITH A mischievous sense
of abandon, designers have
introduced a new wave of
add-water-and-let-the-temp
erature-rise swimwear. Less
has never been more than
now, as maillots and bikinis
cut corners and cling to
every curve.

FASHION STATEMENTS

Just in time for summer, they
show a return to the kind of
charming and provocative swim-
suits that women wish for and
men wait for. Keep in mind that
these styles depend less on their
shape and more on the shape
you’re in.

Thigh-high cuts, V-necklines
that take a plunge down the front
or back, and demi-cut bras that
hold on with all they’ve got, ex-
pose epidermis that has never seen
the light of day. .

Though Olympic-inspired sporty
styles have not totally disap-
peared, the most popular designs
are much less practical and much
more feminine. Swimsuits may
still be designed with water in

mind, but in this season’s suits, .

fashion is just as important .as
function.

Designers have focused their at-
tention on the bust, with molded
cups called ‘hard cups’? —
underwires with push-up pads in
the bottom of the cups and
Strategic placement of straps to
help support and emphasize even
what you don’t have,

Lingerie slides from the
bedroom to the beach. Lace
details, sheer panels and inserts on
suits, dressy jewelled accents,
sheer suits with bows and ruffles,
and chiffon coverups which could
pass for negligees add to the in-
timate apparel look.

One-piece maillots and two-
piece bikinis battle for the sunny
spetlight.

Designers forgo the modesty of
the one-piece. Some maillots are
more provocative than a_ bikini
would ever dare to be. They are
given underwire bras for added
emphasis, decorative cut-outs, and
extended armholes. Haiter
necklines, which show up in a
variety of shapes, and sweetheart
necklines add a retro glamer girl
image.

Sheath styled suits and shirred
one-piece suits, slightly more
covered, are reminiscent of former
pin up girls of the ’40s and *5@s.

They are sometimes surprisingly
ornamental and are dressy enough
to go from a day at the beach to
dinner. They are cut in lace,
charmeuse and chiffon, and many
have draping or shirring detail
that wraps and holds the body in
new ways.

Bikinis, on the other hand, may
look more like a one-piece suit.
The top and bottom pieces are
sometimes attached by a strip of
fabric which crawls up the waist.
They get thick band and shoulder

hat loves the sun

\=

e

SUMMER SUN styles from North Shore swimwear boutiques.

strap treatments, or have weensy
skirts added to the hemline.

Bustlines have brassiere shapes,
are twisted or have reminiscent
butterfly cuts in front, and criss-
crossed straps in the back. Hips
get drawstring closures, are wrap-
ped, tied or bowed.

Color is important in these se-
cond skin suits. Several colors col-
lide in new pastel brights, rich
jewel tones and in crayon brights
which have all but replaced neons.
Whitened pastels and warm shades
such as bronze also make a state-
ment.

Swimwear manufacturers splash
color on bathing beauties in great
new geometric shapes. A single
jolt of color, unusually shaped
color blocking, thick stripes, and
multi-colored squates combine
colors like fuchsia, yellow, purple
and green, or orange, yellow,
purple and strategic bands of
black.

Floral patterns cover swimwear,
in bright garden flowers, pretty
watercoiored looks, and miniature
flowers in wall paper prints,
usually on a dark background.

Texture and graphic patterns
add punch, with embroidery,
multiple woven straps, elaborate

prints inspired by paintings or
Gothic themes. Suits are shining
too, ceated with lurex, silver and
gold lame or are shot with
metallic threads and given studs.

Bathing suits are cut in sleek
nylon or cotton with spandex ad-
ding more stretch. Supplex nylon
is a new fabric used extensively
for swimwear that is blended with
Lycra and which dries quickly and
dyes well, holding bright colors
better than other fabrics.

For body-hugging bathing suits

at their best, the following shops
are recommended:
° Splashdance, 333 Brooksbank
Ave. in Park and Tilford Shopp-
ing Centre, carries a variety of
swimsuit labels for men and
women.

SeaFolly, from Australia, is one
of the store’s best selling bikini
lines, which features underwire
cups in bra-look tops and high cut
briefs. They are sold in black,
tangerine and bright green.

Waterworks jis a dressier line
that can double as eveningwear.
Strapless one-piece styles with
button detail or bustier looks and
demi-cut bras with underwire are
shown in solid shades with a sub-
tle pattern.

Daffy is a great brand for
swimming. The heavy cotton one
and two-piece suits highlight Mex-
ican patterns and colors, bright
flowers in similarly colored
oranges, yellows and green, and
tiny garden floral patterns.

Christina is a reasonably priced
line which cuts its suits more gen-
erously, perfect for those who
want to reveal less or for mature
women,
© Marielle Accessory Boutique in
Park Royal North specializes in
imported swimwear by Ariella
from Germany and Gottex from
Israel.

Gottex is designed to be exotic,
feminine and flattering this
season. The new hard cup is
shown in beth bikinis and one-
piece suits, which has been very
popular with fuller-figured
women. Many styles are cut in
dark fabrics with rich jewel-toned
accents such as royal blue, purple
and orange, or black and white.

The high quality is evident in
the fully pleated bikinis with per-
manent accordian pleats on the
front, back and sides in cream
polyester. A beautiful coverup
matches the suit in a Jean Harlow
style, which is also fully pleated

Crenna’s
quick
snips

BUTTON UP ... for a big trend.

Buttons are the hottest new ac-
cessory, according to the New
York Times News Service, and
have grown into a big business.
No longer simply used to hold
clothing together, button closures
are used as decorative statements.

They are bigger than ever and
their shape is anything but classic.
They now fook like miniature
skeins of yarn, jewelled brooches,
flowers or gum drops. Plain but-
toned shirts are enlivened with
snap-on covers for buttons which
secure Guatemalan worry dolls,
miniature Eiffel Towers or large
jewels to cuffs or front closures.

For fall °91, look for horse

shapes, fish, birds or sealing wax
imitations. The Gallery House
Boutique, 2865 West Fourth Ave.
in Vancouver, carries clip-on but-
ton covers from New York in a
variety of styles, sold as a se! of
Six.
PNE FLARE ... The Pacific Na-
uonal Exhibition, which is slated
to open Aug. 16 to Sept. 2, will
feature B.C. designers and manu-
facturers in a series of fashion
shows and displays.

The fair will also provide mar-
ket booths for manufacturers,
retailers and services in the fash-
ion industry, which are said to
reach more than one million cus-
tomers during the event.

Fashion show participation and
clothiag for manequinn displays
are free of charge and market
booths can be purchased for the
following areas: B.C. Showcase
Building, Showmart Building and
specific outside areas. For more
information, contact the PNE
Exhibit and Commercial Space
Dept. at 253-2311.

with slits at the side. An exotic
Arabian Knights-inspired set adds
lots of gold and black to a maillot
and coverup.

Arieila's styling is very different
from Gottex, and focuses more on
natural fitting styles that are ap-
propriate for swimming. Most
have a softer cup, though a few
styles that are strapless have an
underwire. Vibrant colors are
shown as accents on black.
© Holliday’s Funwear in Park
Royal South carries popular
brands such as Jantzen, La Blan-
ca, Sassafras and Gottex.

The store carries feminine looks
with cross-straps in the back,
gathered bustlines and hard cups
in bikinis and maillots. Miniature
floral prints on black, lots of
polka dots, black and white or
navy and white combinations are
prevalent. New brightened pastels
such as celery, peach, periwinkle
blue, light fuchsia and pink are
shown.

Gottex maillots are best sellers
in this store. One has wide straps
that crisscross in a design in both
the front and back. Another has a
psychedelic '60s print in green,
pink and yeliow with bra cups and

See Various page 19

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