Even with snow, think about suits

As I sit here writing this, it is currently 12 degrees outside and snowing, exactly the kind… As I sit here writing this, it is currently 12 degrees outside and snowing, exactly the kind of weather I associate with swimsuits. Not. Because we live in Pittsburgh, and it will probably still be snowing in April, I know what you’re probably thinking – swimsuits in February? Well, yes.

Although it’s a thing that most women dread, the time has come to start thinking about bathing-suit season. The last thing on my to-do list (and probably yours, too) is checking out my pasty, white skin scantily clad in a full-length mirror while basking in the fluorescent glow of overhead lighting. But if you don’t do it now, I assure you that your size will be gone and the only thing left will be gross, picked-over suits that have been tried on hundreds of times. Ew, thank god for those hygienic liners.

And for those of you lucky enough to be going some place warm for spring break, you only have a week left to shop for the perfect bikini. That faded one from last season with the saggy bum will not attract anyone worth a second glance, so you better get going.

Luckily for you, I have been obsessing over finding a bathing suit for the past couple of weeks. And let me tell you, if there is a certain design you want on a bathing suit, you can find it. During my search I found peace signs, lobsters, sailboats, argyle and bananas. Yes, you read that correctly. Bananas. And the same goes for cuts and styles of suits. There is tremendous variety with string, bandeau, halter, tankini and one-piece styles available in almost every store that carries swimsuits.

The one trend I did notice as I browsed websites was the monokini. The monokini is a one-piece bathing suit that resembles a two-piece bikini because the sides are cut away, leaving just a strip of fabric down the middle of the stomach connecting the top and bottom. After Googling a bit, I discovered from Wikipedia – an obviously very reliable source (kidding), that the same designer who first designed the monokini also designed the ultra-classy pubikini. I’ll let you figure that one out yourselves.

One of the most unique and stylish bathing suits I came across was from a brand called Poko Pano Couture on VictoriasSecret.com. The deep purple bikini had a bandeau top with a twisted strap across one shoulder and just one big tie on the side of the tiny bottoms instead of the usual ties on each side. The asymmetrical cut of this swimsuit really made it stand out against all the traditional triangle and halter styles.

Victoria’s Secret PINK collection has a number of suits in youthful colors and prints that are perfect for college students. Additionally, Victoria’s Secret has some of the most uniquely detailed suits with metallic, embroidery and chain-link hardware. A suit modeled to look like a tuxedo with white ruffles caught my eye. Kenneth Cole uses a lot of zippers to accessorize his swimsuits, as well, which are sold on the Victoria’s Secret website.

Urban Outfitters offers another option if you’re looking to make a scene this summer in the sea of beach bods. UO offers one of the widest selections carrying lines from Betsey Johnson, Billabong, Diesel, Lux and Roxy. The styles range from classic surfer-girl bikinis to more fashion-forward, high-waisted suits with sequins and belts. Many of the one-piece shapes from Lux channel a ’50s pinup girl with styles cut in gingham-, plaid- and floral-print fabrics.

If you are looking for just the basic string bikini in ever-popular stripes, polka dots or floral prints, Abercrombie ‘ Fitch is a safe bet. But that’s all you’ll find there.

American Eagle has a decent selection of suits. One with a cute zigzag stripe accented with striking contrast by colored straps puts a fun take on boring, old stripes. AE is also carrying a floral swimsuit that you can reverse to create a solid-colored suit, a great option if you can’t decide between a print and solid. It is also carrying a style with the American Eagle logo embroidered all over it. Perhaps a takeoff of the Ralph Lauren bikini embroidered with the RL polo-player logo? I don’t think it works quite as well here, but I’m sure AE enthusiasts will love it.

My pick for basic, solid-colored suits is J.Crew. Its website carries 13 vibrant, fun colors that come in almost every style imaginable and would fit seamlessly into any preppy wardrobe. J.Crew also carries a number of printed styles.

For cheap chic, Target has fabulous suits with an equally fabulous price tag. At Target you can find ruffles, paisley, heart prints, crochet, houndstooth and beaded trim.

The most shocking thing I found was, not surprisingly, on American Apparel’s website. But it wasn’t a style or print or color that caught me off guard, it was a bikini top’s description, which was located under swimwear that’s tag said it was not recommended for use in salt water or chlorine. Well isn’t that what swimsuits are for?

Bottom line in bathing suits this season: anything goes. Whether you want to flaunt it all in an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow, polka-dot bikini or exude sex appeal in a glamorous monokini, you’re sure to turn heads. Just please, please stay away from the banana print.