Fortunately, designers have done a fine job of combining pretty fabrics and imaginative details with an armada of figure-enhancing tricks, some of them invisible even to the practiced eye. Trends include jungle themes such as camouflage, animal and tropical prints. An American beach party mood gives us cute gingham and polka dots, and red, white and blue themes. There're also Hawaiian prints, sporty striped suits and glamor suits in shiny fabrics. Colors range from dark olives to brights, but the trendiest are cool pastels or black and white graphic prints.
Embellishments are important.
Expect beaded straps, grommets, embroidery, fringe and a sprinkling of jewels. Carol Wior's Slimsuit, the one that promises to take an inch or more off your figure and comes with a tape measure to prove it, has never looked better, she said. Designs include eye-catching animal prints and fancy nautical necklines formed with a cord running through loops. Many come with gorgeously printed matching pareos offered at moderate prices. New this year is Wior's Slim A Size, a more youthfully styled line with more moderate figure control.