Fashion Experts: More is More at the Beach

Less is more has reigned at the beach and the neighborhood pool when it comes to swimwear ever since the popularization of the bikini in the 20th century.

Two-piece bathing suits might dominate the landscape, but style editors and trend forecasters say the one-piece is the fashion-forward choice this season.

Most people are going to be in two-pieces. If you show up in a one-piece its definitely a statement, and its one of the most comfortable statements you could possibly make at the beach, said Connie Wang, style director of lifestyle website Refinery29.

Its a good thing for women that there are so many more options now that fulfill different desires of what you want to achieve at the beach.

Variations on the one-piece and other swimwear trends will be on display at Miami Swim Week, where designers and buyers will gather this weekend for two major industry events: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim and SwimShow.

Surf-inspired looks, such as rash vests and long-sleeved onesies for women, are expected to make strong showings, said Jane Boddy, head of womenswear at trend forecaster WGSN. On the flip side, ultra-feminine styles flaunting details rooted in the world of intimates ruffles, straps and peek-a-boo cutouts are also key and on the cusp of big success, she said.

The one-piece is the perfect canvas for showcasing both styles, whether you prefer ruffles and lace or animal prints.

The one-piece has become popular again because it reflects the best of both worlds. It looks back to the past with a retro slant, while also retaining a fresh, forward-looking style, Boddy said.

The development in cutting-edge design is the driving force behind the one-piece movement, as is the emergence of active sports in the apparel market, Boddy said. Were beginning to see these looks filtering into swim, too, and thats exciting.

While the bikini holds the undisputed title for the sexiest swimsuit option, lets not forget iconic moments for the one-piece such as Farrah Fawcetts ubiquitous red bathing suit poster and Bo Dereks emergence from the ocean in 10. More recently, when Kim Kardashian decided to show off her post-baby body on Instagram, she did it in a one-piece, proving that it is possible to flaunt a great body and get (slightly) more coverage at the same time.

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Fashion Experts: More is More at the Beach