Hot summer days are perfect for sizzling hot bikinis. The newest styles are made to flatter numerous body types and shapes to make you look your best. And the beauty of bikinis is the ability you have to mix and match tops and bottoms from different shapes, styles and sizes to make sure you get the best fit to flatter your body. We have a quick reference guide for you to help get you up-to-date on all the new and popular, body-flattering, stylish bikinis for you to choose.
TOPS
- Halters
Halter-top bikinis have become all the rage over the last few years. Their style hearkens back to Old Hollywood glamour and the classic beauty of the golden era. Halters have a dramatic plunging neckline that adds just the right amount of cleavage to add mystery and allure to any bikini wearer. - Banded
Banded-top bikinis are a new twist on the halter-top and plunge-top. The banded bikinis add a band of matching or contrasting fabric under the bust of either a halter or a plunge top. This band adds not only stability to the top, but it also adds a modern feel to the classic looks. Banded-top bikinis are a great combination of classic and contemporary in one swimsuit. - Triangle
Triangle-top bikinis are popular for their minimalism. As strings, literally, hold them together many women prefer these bikinis for their sunbathing swimsuits. Some styles are also created to fulfill the part of full-time bathing suits, too. - Bandeau
Bandeau bikinis are another popular sun-worshipping style. With the simple strapless top, worries about tan lines are gone. Beyond tan benefits, bandeaus have a classic look reminiscent of the past. The clean, classic lines of these bikinis also make them a popular choice for many women beyond basic sunbathing.
BOTTOMS
- Low-Slung
What goes around comes around. It is especially true in the world of fashion. The low-slung bottoms you used to see women wearing with their bikinis in the 70s are hot again. - Hot Pants
Here is another way in which today’s bikinis show a “reverence” for the styles of the past. Hot pants are low-slung, squared-leg bottoms with a little “cheek peek.” They have displaced board shorts, which had more coverage, on the style racks as the bottoms of choice for bikinis today. - Skirts
For women who are a little more self-conscious about their bottom half or don’t feel like hot pants are exactly flattering, try a skirt. Ladies, don’t think wearing a skirt with your bikini will make you look like your mother. Designers have been creating extremely young, spunky and flattering bikinis with skirts. Try one of the new styles like the straight skirt with side slits, or wear a complimenting a-line board skirt with your bikini.
ACCESSORIES
- Belts and Buckles
Some of the most popular accessories for bikinis today are belts and buckles. Many bikinis are belted with contrasting faux or real belts and striking buckles on the waist and/or top. Another fabulous look would be to wear a micro chain belt with a simple black bikini to really make a statement.
By D. Blair Thompson