The summer breeze pours in and presses against our sweat-kissed cheeks and foreheads. All around the world, we know summer is upon us.
Traveling is a key component to summertime fun that most anticipate year-round. One doesn’t have to embark on a worldwide quest to find themselves in a calming, sunny beach atmosphere – though it would be perk for that beach to be in some Grecian oasis with coral sunsets. With all this paradise on the brain, the appropriate wardrobe shopping must follow.
International getaways aren’t affordable for all of us, but we can pretend by donning some of the most fashionable beach looks this season has to offer. As you shop for your next resort trip, perfect trends with influences from all around the globe are everywhere.
This type of inspiration has definitely shown its prevalence in Kanye West’s newest endeavor, his self-entitled brand. The Kanye West Summer 2012 collection debuted in Paris earlier this year. The collection boasted global influence by infusing a color palette of nudes and neutrals accented by intense blues, corals, metallics, sheer fabrics and even furs. With exception to the furs, West’s collection of cut-outs, color blocking and metallics paired with sheers are right on trend for this season.
Of course, for the swim outings to the old lake house or the new water park, frilly bandeaus and halters, like those provided by Austrian label CHIXNGRAVY, are ideal. The Euro-centric, bohemian detail swimwear gives a magical daintiness with the Fringy Bandeau set in coral and the Frilly Bandeau halter set in emerald. These looks emphasize a natural beauty in an outdoor setting at a little more than $150, including shipping costs.
On this side of the pond, Miami Beach’s The Orchid Boutique website has a beautiful selection of all the gypsy floral prints one can handle. The Paradizia brand is giving life and love with its sizzling styles, and it includes the beautiful Sunshine Bandeau set displaying half tie-dye, half hot pink cheetah print with asymmetrical strap and ruffle detailing.
Also impressive is the Treasure Bandeau set, which shows a deep wire V in the center bust area and displays beautiful floral scalloping for a more sensual look.
Classic vintage-inspired swimwear at Victoria’s Secret is mad with plaids, zig-zags and cutesy floral prints in halter styles.
The skate brand Volcom has presented a great casual swim collection taking inspiration from “Pulp Fiction,” the classic ’90s pop-retro Quentin Tarantino film.
While trunks grow shorter following the West Coast Chubbies trend, the longer board-short styles still reign in favor of the more masculine swim trunk looks. True Religion has a great grasp on manly trends with its classic denim, plaid and camouflage cargo swim trunks. Vans has also done manly justice with their colorful variation of summer prints, stripes, color blocks, and signature black and white checked styles for mostly under $50.
When keeping toes protected from hot concrete and scorching beach sand, Havianas flip-flops provide a comprehensive selection of footwear ranging in color, print and special collections, including The Muppets and Mickey Mouse.
One pair of flip-flops that street-wear aficionados go crazy for are the Air Jordan Hydro V Premier Playoffs in black-white and red-black colorways. They’re the Ferrari of flip-flops. They have mini stress balls in the sole and a lightweight Phylon outsole to complete the luxury flip-flop experience.
Summer will surely be fun with the available selection of sexy beach fashions, and the brand name game isn’t of the utmost importance as long as those enchanting summer styles are riding the waves of your fantastic physique.
Al Burks is a 25-year-old apparel design senior from New Orleans.
 
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