Swimwear Report: Summer 2004 Trends
By Lisa Kovalovich

 
What's hot on the beach this year.
  
 
 
 
 

 
 
We know, you're probably pale and pasty, but shopping for suits early in the season gives you the pick of the styles (plus the satisfaction of knowing you won't have to hit those three-way mirrors again for a year). Here, five wearable swimsuit trends to snap up now:
 

Polka Dots
This fashion trend is making the jump from street to beach, showing up scattered across both one- and two-piece suits. Dots range from pastels to brights, on backgrounds of white or black. Try this playful one-piece by Moschino ($160).
 

Black-and-White
This mod color combo is showing up in myriad ways this season: Hawaiian-inspired florals, slimming stripes, and bold color blocks. Black-and-white makes a strong statement, and looks great when set off with an accessory in a bright color (think thongs or a sun hat).
 

Preppy
Once reserved for the most conservative, preppy touches are showing up on trendy suits this year. Look for pink-and-green color schemes, argyle and Lilly Pulitzer-inspired patterns, and even a Polo horse print. Preppy elements look great on simple maillots and string or sporty bikinis.
 

Candy Stripes
Whether thick and horizontal or thin and vertical, stripes have big impact this season. To soften their effect, swimsuit designers have presented them in soft pastels, making them feminine and fun at the same time. Look for stripes across bikini bottoms and tops, or swooping sideways down one-pieces.
 

Halters
No matter what the fabric, halter-top swimsuits are hot again. Some are simple, with a sweetheart neckline and smooth straps. Others are more edgy, with metal grommets or rings at the breastbone. Halters look best on one-piece swimsuits.