Swimsuits that make a splash

Fashion swimwear is a hot commodity this season as swimwear designers pull out the stops. Jude Hathaway reports.

Summer should go swimmingly this year, with fashion swimwear design - particularly from across the Tasman - just so darned good.

The swimsuits look great, and new technically advanced fabrics help with comfort and fit, in and out of the water.

The good looks are manifested in the smooth lines, fabulous colours and imaginative fabrics.

With the popularity of overseas winter holidays in tropical climes or the northern hemisphere's summer, retail buyers know the demand is now year-round whether the target market age is below or above 35.

Keeping the under-30s happy is Erin Williams, swimwear buyer for Hydro Surf - Dunedin's longest-operating surf and urban street store - who holds up the Insight label as a real crowd-pleaser: "It goes well among the university students, working alongside other art-driven, directional brands."

Snakeskin acidprints, textured feathers, streaky soft stripes and Hawaiian prints provide a diversion from attention-grabbing silhouettes. A strong melange of colours is juxtaposed with black, and small metallic splashes within the prints play with the light.

"This latest range is all about the iconic '80s beach babes," says Erin. "Insight is going back in time to a kind of kooky, super-sexy summer wonderland."

But it's in the design details that the '80s is perhaps most evident. Laces, one-shoulder plait straps, broad coloured zips, ruffles and gold eyelets are among the retro twists.

At Hydro Surf there is a noticeable pull towards one-piece suits.

"Until this season we've only dabbled in one-piece suits. But the demand is really strong this season and we're responding," Erin reveals, adding that because of their fashion-oriented looks many are able to be worn as dressy tops with anything from flirty skirts to harem pants or shorts.

Tiger Lily is another brand bringing out one-piece suits, including a striking design with deep side cut-outs for a figure-flattering effect.

Stalwart brands such as Roxy, Billabong, Rip Curl and Rusty are also dressing things up with bright prints and mainly bikini styles, the tops ranging from bandeau and triangle designs to tankinis. Polka dots are big.