CITYist

Those who have turned to the magic of Spanx in times of distress now have an option for the beach. Spanx swimsuits (who knew?) launched this year, with the same sculpting technology, color-blocking slender effects and style options as the original undergarments. The swimwear takes on a retro sensibility in some styles, managing to hop on the Mad Men bandwagon without looking like your grandmother’s bathing suit. Other styles look like your average go-to bikini, with secret under armor of course. We’re loving their selection of black swimwear, from one-shouldered one pieces to ruffled bikinis. Check out our favorites after the jump.

While most resort collections conjure up thoughts of yachts and private islands, with wardrobes suited for slinking around elusive white sand beaches off the coast of who knows where, the Cynthia Rowely 2011 Resort collection stays a little closer to home (read on to see a healthy selection of looks). Instead, it’s easier to imagine the playful prints and silhouettes somewhere a little cooler, and rather than being just another collection designed for a December-January escape, we imagine these pieces seamlessly transitioning into your winter wardrobe, even if you don’t have an elaborate vacation planned—just don’t forget a pair of tights under those sheer skirts.

Mara Hoffman’s creations are known for their tribal prints, bold colors and playful silhouettes. So it’s not surprising that her Resort swimwear line, available starting in October, followed suit. Premiering at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, the line is categorized by African prints offset by strips of solid black and red, gauzy cover-ups and feathered and bejeweled accessories. Some triangular and attached by strings, others wide and boy short-inspired, all the suits are designed to let the wearer go “on a mystical journey through the jungle, visiting crystal caves, rivers, oceans; a tongue-in-cheek Amazonian tribeswoman in a bikini following her White Horse spirit guide.” Bring on the peyote.

Have you seen our recent CITYist Fashion Editorial, Power Station? Check it out by clicking here, and read more below about the model, Yulia Terentyeva.

Photography: Tim Zaragoza

When the thermometer starts topping 100 and not even an iced coffee will do, it’s time to reassess your fashion options. Of course, the heat and its effects can’t always be avoided, so it’s best to do what any girl would: fight back against the sun with shades and hats, cleverly apply bronzer and wear as few clothes as possible.

With a swimwear collection that has been described as “sophisticated, yet fun and dynamic,” it’s no wonder that Trina Turk received the title of Mercedes-Benz Presents designer this season, joining the prestigious ranks of designers Monique Lhuillier, Badgley Mischka, Narciso Rodriguez, Red Carter and CHADO Ralph Rucci. The designer also plans to debut her Spring 2011 swimwear collection, which draws inspiration from the city of Acapulco in the 1960s and 1970s and incorporates a range of colors, from classic black and white to dynamic multi-colored patterns, at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Swim Week in Miami on July 15. The hardware of the collection is particularly of note for its elegant and unique use of gold, signature of Turk’s designs. Check them out at trinaturk.com.

It’s officially bathing suit weather on both coasts, which means the hunt is on for flattering swimwear. Enter Shimmi: the California-based brand that features a palette of flirty pastels and satisfying neutrals, leave-nothing-to-the-imagination silhouettes and a less is more philosophy. Citing Jane Birkin, the French Riviera and rock ‘n’ roll as influences (though we say the modern party gal is really the target here), former models Scarlett Chorvat and Alison Renner design for “the barefoot hippie, the Louboutin-clad power stylista, and the girl who thinks it’s only fair that she can be both.” Cheers to that.

Last night, 230 Fifth’s rooftop bar was transformed into a tropical oasis complete with cheetahs, sequin-covered bathing suits and drag queens. Amidst the mannequins, palm fronds and many, many cosmos, Patricia Field held court over a fashion show complete with swimwear, sunglasses and flowing chiffon bathing gowns alternately created by the Sex and the City designer’s House of Field team, Ivana Sert and The Blonds. We take you through a photographic experience of the night’s events—and though you may not have been in the Malibu Barbie dreamland yourself, these pictures will take you close enough.

Swimwear has never looked so creative—and so, for lack of a better word—hot. Australian duo Nicky and Simone Zimmermann have opened their first U.S. boutique in Soho—but just like their apparel and swimwear, they’ve gone cutting edge: ZIMMERMANN is a “concept store” only open until June.

ZIMMERMANN’s designs are chock-full of feminine wear, but their swimwear is their signature. The pop-up shop will be offering Zimmermann’s handbags, footwear and of course, bathing suits, right on time for beach season.

Beach attire is tough for the indie girl. Amidst a sea of overly sexy and overly girly swimwear, she must fight to find the Betty Grable throw-back silhouette, the minimalist design or the ironically colorful bikini. But now, Cheap Monday has found a way to morph the latter two.

In shiny lavender, sea foam or black, the two pieces can scream either My Little Pony or goth chick.

Call it girly, perky or kitschy—but Victoria’s Secret PINK collection has successfully packaged female youth into a neat, pink polka-dotted box. Now the face of Pink, Namibian-born model Behati Prinsloo, is applying her African heritage to the pop formula: and the result, a line of swim wear in Technicolor tribal prints and playful shapes, will fit right in with the PINK canon.