2009’s swimsuits accept your imperfections, thanks to fabric technology

Published 11:31 pm Saturday, May 30, 2009

This season, the swimwear industry seems to be tackling women’s body-image insecurities head-on instead of burying them under a lot of extra fabric. It’s no longer a stretch to say certain bathing suits have a slimming effect and that the skirted swimsuit no longer resembles Grandma’s version.

Michele Casper, swim spokeswoman at Lands’ End, says they are offering three levels of slimming suits from moderate shaping to power control.

Lands’ End treats its fabric with silicon, very much with the stomach, rear and side love-handles in mind, Casper says. “You feel control built right in without extra weight or a cumbersome feel. Fabric technology has come so far.”

The MiracleSuit boasts a high-elasticity fabric with a high Lycra content that constantly wants to pull the swimsuit back into a taught shape — and it takes the body inside with it, explains design director Ed Tucker.

However, he adds, it’s not so tight that skin oozes out elsewhere.

There shouldn’t be any part of the swimsuit cutting into the body at all — don’t kid yourself that you can hide it, says Daniela Manfredi, Victoria’s Secret swimwear designer. She works with a heat-sealed adhesive at the edges of the suit, more like a tape than the old elastic arm and leg holes that pose a greater risk of “popping out.”

There’s almost no reason not to have an underwire in the bust of a swimsuit, even a bandeau top, Manfredi says. Starting out with the proper size, much like a bra, often sets you off on the most flattering path.

Carol Wior, creator of the patented SlimSuit, designed a full-suit lining that attaches to an underwire bra inset.

Many swimsuit brands — from Juicy Couture to Michael Kors — have reinvented the old favorite skirted suit with varied lengths, colors and patterns.

“It allows you coverage and it’s flattering for most body types,” said Suzanne Bryant, Lands’ End vice president of design.

Juicy Couture offers playful bikinis and one-pieces with ruffled skirts. Michael Kors also designed a skirted bandeau swimsuit in indigo for a more sophisticated look.

Women want to go from beach to restaurant, and the skirted suit allows for that, stylist Robert Verdi said. But he cautioned that they are geared toward young girls, and he wouldn’t put any of his clients, including Eva Longoria Parker, in one.

“I think women on the beach always want to be sexy no matter what age they or what size,” he said. “I think we’ll see it for a few seasons. Maybe these skirts will become almost saronglike.”