The season's sexy swimwear - Ebony Fashion Fair 2003

Ebony, Jan, 2003 by Eunice W. Johnson

Before long, it will be time to ponder what to wear to the beach and to all those fun pool parties this summer. In the meantime you may need to update your resortwear. Swimwear designers have done all the work. You must, however, make decisions as to which styles best suit your personality and figure. The classic bikini with string tie continues to be a popular choice for the young at heart (and figure). The tankini (tank top over bikini bottom) is also a popular choice. And of course, there's the classy maillot (one piece) that looks great on most figures. But the choices don't end there: Do you want a halter, bandeau or strap top? Do you want a solid color or are you daring enough to try a bold pattern? If so, you can choose from a patriotic stars-and-stripes motif, a tropical pattern or a zippy futuristic abstract design. If you like glitz and glamour, there are suits with metallic accents and plenty of choices with animal prints. Then you can decide what kind of cover-up you want: A sheer scarf-like cover tied around hips, a sarong wrap or sheer, pull-on pants in a solid or pattern that matches your suit. Have fun making your decisions. And whatever you choose, just make sure you look confident and sexy in your summer swimwear this season.

Show off your patriotism at the beach with swimwear that sport stars and stripes. From Sweetwater Swimwear: For her, a two-piece set with halter-tied bandana top and bikini bottom; for him, low-rise brief-cut trunks. The classic two-piece string tie bikini (right) is by Sunset Separates.

Above: Jantzen delivers verve and style in maillots with detachable halter straps. Red and black suit is shown without cover-up pants.

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Top right: Sweetwater Swimwear offers a two-piece halter in bold silver and black checkered design. Ring with beaded tassel is attached to point of haltertop.

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Left: Colorful two-piece hot-pants swim suits from Bare Assets by Excelsior feature argyle prints in lime green and pink

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Top right: Aqua, gold and lime pop-art, pattern adds pizzazz to decolletage maillot and two-piece suit with bandeau top with halter panel. Coordinated with bikini Brief on male. All from Sweetwater Swimwear.

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Above: For the full figure, ASHLEY STEWARD designs an aquatic scene atop a shirred elasticized camisole and sarong wrap skirt.

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Left: Red grabs attention on the beach, especially in mesmerizing striped halter maillot and two-piece halter bikini with tube skirt cover-up. From Free by GOTTEX.

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Left: Bold floral and leaf patterned suits in brown and white halter maillot with deep V-decolletage and red and white string-tie bikini. Both have matching sheer cover-ups. From La Blanca by Rod Beattie.

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Below: Blink designs set of shapely and smooth-fitting striped pink bikini and purple tankini.

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Below: Two-piece stretch denim-look suit has beige straw-look belt in loops, by Tommy Bahama. For the guys, Brand Jordan offers two-tone blue swim trunks with patch pockets on sides.

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Top: Tropical motifs adorn trio of colorful suits and cover-ups from Bare Assets by Excelsior

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Top: Speedo accents purple/lilac maillot and green/blue swim briefs with optic beam design.

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Above: Blue two-piece suit features handkerchief-hem tube top trimmed in multicolored beaded fringe, worn over low-riding hipster hot pants, by Gloria del Rio.

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Left: Capture attention on the beach with bold animal-print swimwear: Suit with deep decolletage and sexy cut-out sides has sheer cover-up. From Free by Gottex. One-strap, animal-print maillot is accessorized with matching sun visor and cover-up. By Beach Bay.

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