The wizards of Oz

With the scorching heat creeping down our necks and summer shifting its gears to full speed, we need to confront this situation head on. Doing so doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort for style but incorporating both to maximize looking hot but feeling cool. Tropical weather is part and parcel of what we’ve got to offer, so don’t shy away from the heat but bask in its glory. Summer is an excuse to show off what you’ve got so make like a supermodel and work it. Swimsuits are multi-dimensional and will soon become your best friend throughout the season. Going minimal on the beach with just a bikini in tow or layering a skirt over a swimsuit for a night in the city demonstrates just how swimwear has evolved into a fashionable summer must-have. With help from Down Under, we can revel in the intensity of the rising temperatures and still look like a million bucks while spending far less.

Ho, ho, ho! Well it isn’t Christmas but it sure feels like it with the latest from Lisa Ho Swim. A top Aussie designer, Lisa Ho has branched out beyond her clothing collection and developed a swimwear line made of posh European fabrics and trims. Her resort swimwear line uses the same approach to RTW and incorporates the fundamentals of styling and structure. Swimsuits galore, cover-ups and accessories are integrated in her line to offer an haute array for those who want to stay glam and glossy.

Slightly more mainstream but never skimping on design, Bond-Eye is another Australian brand geared towards the young and funky. Whether you are basking in Tali, Miami, Maui, Boracay or Rio, these Gisele-worthy suits inject your look with instant style.

Regardless of your body type, Seafolly has a swimsuit for you. As one of Australia’s largest exporters of swimwear all over the globe (including department stores like Harrods, Selfridges, and Galeries Lafayette), designs range from ultra-sexy, skin-baring maillots to bandeaus and hipsters that are fresh and contemporary. Offering a plethora of styles in loads of colors and prints, Seafolly scours the globe in an effort to find the latest trends and translate them into fashionable swimwear that can be mixed and matched for a perfect fit that can also be worn from day to night and from beach to city. Retro styling with twist bandeaus and low-riding hipsters are present along with crochet and animal skin prints that instantly transport you to tribal Africa. Embellishments in the form of resin jewel trim and lizard skin buckles expand on the tribal trend.

Well-known Wahine is yet another Aussie brand that is vibrant and flirty, enabling ladies to reconnect with their inner goddess. In addition to bikinis and swimsuits, the collection offers separates such as beach skirts, board shorts, sun hats, beach bags and caftans in a range of styles and hues that are guaranteed to make you look sizzling hot. Favorite colors consist of daffodil, black, white, chocolate, clay, blue and pink complemented by antique gold trimming, tassels, sparkles, beads, rings and buckles. Prints are offered in a variety of looks, from animal to Pucci-esque.

The best part of it all is that dressing for summer won’t break the bank. After all, swimsuits are tiny and brands don’t spend much on fabric. That means you shouldn’t, either. These lines from Oz won’t burn a hole in your pocket like the ultra-violet rays will. Keep yourself well-protected from the sun’s fiery rays and you won’t have to worry your pretty little head off. Slather on that SPF and hydrate yourself by consuming plenty of water so your skin looks as good as the fashion you’re donning.

The golden rule of summer is to pick a suit that’s right for your body type and won’t keep you fidgeting in the sand. The heat is rough and you don’t need to deal with any other stress factors. Looking good is easy once you’ve scored the right style. Keep trying on swimsuits until you’ve nabbed the right cut. Halters, underwires and cups are ideal for big, blessed breasts while bandeaus and triangular bikini tops work it for the less-endowed woman. Belted bottoms and tankinis offer coverage for those who want to conceal while plunging necklines are available for those who need to reveal. Everything else after that is gravy. You can get a lot of mileage from a good swimsuit. Whether it’s paired with a skirt or barely concealed under a caftan, you’ve got yourself a blazing summer outfit. Accessorize and look like you’ve just stepped off the runway. Pile on the bangles, throw on your shades, grab your bag and you’re ready to rock. Take it all in. Summer days are long and priceless.

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Comments? E-mail me at jcantonio@gmail.com.