Sydney Swim Report 2012

Known for its surf and sand, Australia is fertile ground
for beachwear trend direction and innovation.
Sydney’s fashion week kicks off the summer swim
season, offering an early glimpse into the suits and
cover-ups beachgoers on both hemispheres will be
sporting by the end of the year. Collections pointed
towards a sophisticated minimalism, defined by
lingerie-inspired underwire styles and tank silhouettes
that were more sleek than sporty – a departure from
seasons past. The Seventies were a key reference,
spanning disco-decadent plunge maillots and wrap
bikinis to Boho-breezy crochet monokinis and easy
maxi-skirts.
Amber&Thomas
Shakuhachi
Amber&Thomas
Nookie
Lingerie-inspired underwire cups give swimwear a feminine allure / Demi neckline is key / Convertible spaghetti
straps / Longline variations on the bikini top / High-waisted briefs maintain the new covered-up sensibility /
Multi-panel construction accommodates color and fabric blocking
Zimmermann
Lisa Maree
Lisa Maree
Lanphi
Deep front plunges add 70s-inspired sex appeal to minimalist maillots / V-plunges down to belly button /
Rounded keyhole and lace-up variations / Wetsuit-inspired styles with zip front / Monokinis with side cutouts /
Halter necks and allover crochet further the 70s attitude
Zimmermann
Lisa Maree
Lisa Maree
Guanabara Designs
Angular cuts, prints and patterns modernize monokinis / Triangular or square-ish cutouts / Crisscross and
latticework details / Mod geometric prints / Crochet patterns in larger, more distinctive shapes / Intricate panels
highlighted with contrast colors or prints / Solid edge bindings trace graphic lines
Karla Spetic
Michael Lo Sordo
Terri Donna
Manning Cartell
Tankinis return in sexier midriff-baring forms / Longline to waist-length silhouette on top / Active influences
continue in minimalist tank styles / High-neck halter is key / Tube tops have youthful appeal / Lingerie-inspired
bustier tops / Hipster bottoms retain sporty aesthetic / High-waisted briefs make it more modest, exposing just a
bit of midsection
Lisa Maree
Nookie
Kooey
Ultra-long ties and wrapping details revamp string bikinis / Ties extend from back closure, front cups or halter
necks / Bra cups overlap, surplice style / Bikini bottoms have matching long ties / Strings connecting top to
bottom for a monokini look / Bikinis with wider self-ties resemble ballerina tops / Ties in the back arranged in
unique crisscross patterns / Heavy metal rings secure ties
Kirrily Johnston
Zimmermann
Nookie
Kooey
Waistlines move down to hip-hugging styles / Leg remains medium- to full-coverage / Tank-style tops and color
blocking capture a sporty vibe / Skirted and side string variations / Glossy “hot pants” embrace the 70s revival
Related report: Speed to Market > The Hipster Bikini
Talulah
Nookie
Zimmermann
Karla Spetic
Amber&Thomas
Crop tops provide easy cover-ups for the beach / Exaggerated high-low hems revamp jersey tees / Wide, boxy
silhouettes, especially for woven tops / Kimono sleeve and boatneck are key details / All-around flounce tops /
Midriff-ties return in button-up and tee styles / Neoprene and lace are key new fabrics / Coordinate colors and
prints with swimsuits
Alice McCall
Marnie Skillings
Miss Unkon
Stolen Girlfriends
Silky pajama-esque shorts capture a laidback beach-going attitude / Wide legs and layered tiers create a skirtlike look / Romper versions / Fluid washed silks, chiffon and rayon / Nature-inspired prints / Elastic waistbands
provide easy wear for the beach / Matching or color-coordinated woven tops
Stolen Girlfriends
Alice McCall
Subfusco
Shakuhachi
Amber&Thomas
Cover-up pants loosen up with ultra-wide legs / High-water to floor-grazing lengths / Airy, billowing wovens /
Fluid, drape-y jerseys / Sheers show off swimsuits beneath / Relaxed drawstring, elastic or paperbag waists /
Accordion-pleated pants can double as a skirt / 70s matched pant-and-tunic sets return / Placed scarf prints
also embody the 70s trend
Talulah
Miss Unkon
Manning Cartell
Nookie
Wide, flowy maxi skirts channel Yves Saint Laurentʼs peasant looks of the 70s / Versatile alternative to the
sarong / A-line or circle skirt construction / Layered or tiered prairie skirts / Broom skirts made out of crinkled
cotton / Sheer fabrics are key / worn at waist or low on hip / Thigh-high slits lend movement and sex appeal
Related report: S/S 11 Runway City Wrap – Milan > YSL Wonderful
Limedrop
Nookie
Stolen Girlfriends
Manning Cartell
Kirrily Johnston
High-low hems lend an airy, parachute-like quality to beach dresses / Voluminous trapeze silhouettes /
Hemlines graduate from mid-thigh in the front to floor-sweeping in the back / Subtle midi and shirtdress
versions / Casual jersey tee dresses / Front drawstrings allow hems to be adjusted / Narrow belts or elastic
define the waist / Sheer fabrics and plunging necklines show off bikinis worn beneath
Gary Bigeni
Bianca Spender
Paper Skye
Poppy Lissman
Shakuhachi
Jersey maxis give way to silky woven column dresses / Midi- to floor-length / Waistless silhouettes have extra
ease around the hips / Strapless sarong-style constrcutions / Tank and halter bodices / Sheer fabrics continue
to trend / Side slits facilitate movement and leg-show
Zimmermann
Nookie
Pooppa Pemmaraju
Kirrily Johnston
Karen Neilsen
Breezy floor-grazing robes express the on-trend long-and-languid silhouette / Sleeveless robes gain momentum
/ Cowl sleeves create a cocoon shape / Sheer or openwork fabrics like cotton eyelet, crochet and chiffon /
Meant to be worn open / Fringe edges exude boho attitude