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What is the one essential you need this scorching summer? Plain and simple: a new bathing suit.

As the sun beams down on you while you lay on a lawn chair by the pool getting some colour or splash around on a beach — you’re always making a statement with the bathing suit you wear.

And recycling last year’s water-faded, sagging swimsuit isn’t doing the job for your figure or for your style statement. You need one that will fit your body shape in the right places, has the perfect colour to make your skin look invigorating and refreshed, and is stylish, so that

when you’re lounging by the pool or strutting down the beach, you will be up to date with the latest fashion trends.

Speaking of, Lifestyle provides you the latest in swimsuit fashion trends for 2010. This summer, look fashion-forward and feel good about the bathing suit you’re sporting with this how-to guide.

A Solid Break

It is a colour riot when gearing up for this summer’s bathing suit trends. This is the year to break away from neutrals and darks and enjoy a splash of colour at the beach. A way to incorporate colour is through solid colours. Some popular palettes hitting poolside are hot pinks, light blue and neons, which is really hot this summer. Old Navy has an array of solid, brightly coloured bikinis and tankinis. Check out their Women’s Mix and Matched Ruffled Tankini Tops that comes in colours like purple, blue, green and navy paisley.

If a solid bright colour is just not your style, a white swimsuit will do this trend justice this summer. The colour white is naturally bright and screams summer, especially when you have a glowing tan to accompany it. The Santorini String Bikini from Nautica is alluring and will turn heads with its simple style and eye-popping white.

On the Prowl

This next way for incorporating colour into a swimsuit collection is for those who are a little more daring. Bright colours infused into patterns like animal and African ones and graphic prints will be making a huge splash on beachgoers in 2010. Get this look through a string bikini with Guess’s Feline Frenzy Triangle Bathing Suit, which fits this trend perfectly for our summer bathing suit guide. It features the animal print mentioned above with its leopard pattern and fun tie-up bathing suit bottoms.

Through the Holes

Swimwear in 2010 is full of holes — literally. This year’s summer swimwear features more asymmetry, which means the bathing suits will sometimes have holes only on one side of the swimsuit. However, this trend is for those who are more bold and courageous because when you wear a cut-out, you may feel exposed. If you are daring enough to try this trend out, be sure to avoid wearing a swimsuit with cut-outs that occur in areas you’d prefer to disguise. Select strategically placed cut-outs that show off your body in the best ways. Forever 21 features the Bright Feather Monokini which shows off all the right curves with sweet ruffles along the plunging neckline and a vibrant pattern that will embrace the summer. The Solid O-Ring Monokini from Charlotte Ruse is another great find that will have you hitting the beach in style with its halter neck, side cut-outs and solid bright blue colour.

A Shoulder to be Trendy on

Not only did we see the one-shoulder trend hit the red carpet this past year, but also expect to see water lovers sport this style on the beach and poolside this summer with a one-shoulder neckline in their bathing suits. It’s giving a whole new twist to bandeaus, which have been extremely popular in the past. Whether you’re wearing a two-piece like Figleaves’ Grecian one-shoulder bandeau bikini top or a one-piece suit like Guess’s Tribal Affair Cut-Out One Piece, you will without a doubt be adding interest and style to your summer swimwear.•

Photo courtesy of istockphoto.com

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