Summer ‘07: All About One Piece Swimwear

After much thought, I’ve decided that my swimsuit of choice for 2007 is going to be a one-piece. I know, it’s a bold move. The bikini, in varying degrees of scandal, has been a staple for the college female since the advent of songs like “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” (for you trivial pursuit hounds, it came out August 8, 1960).

By CC Staff

In a surprise move, the one-piece has become the rarer breed of swim apparel. The bikini gets all the attention. I mean, why shouldn’t it? It’s smaller, newer, and used to be a symbol of youthful rebellion. Not that I’m advocating some sort of return to traditional moral values (this is what my boyfriend thought when I told him I was writing about one-pieces). I just think the tank has a freshness about it. It invokes sultry women like Marilyn Monroe, Raquel Welch, and timeless hottie, Sophia Loren.

Plus, it’s completely unexpected. I don’t even remember the last time I wore a one-piece, but I’m fairly sure I was still in elementary school. Don’t you remember when your mom finally lifted the ban on bikinis? It was a big deal to trot down to your local mall and pick out the swimsuit that was sure to completely tranform your life and make that cute guy with the bowl cut and Airwalks fall in love with you.

But now we’re older, maybe a little wiser when we haven’t been drinking, and we know that sometimes it’s more exciting to show a little less skin. Make people use their imagination. If you still want to be overtly sexy, apparently a lot of guys have a big thing for a women in white swimwear…which isn’t surprising given the popularity of Cancun based wet t-shirt contests. If you’re into that sort of thing, check out the DKNY suit pictured below.

With the joys of the one-piece in mind, here are my top 7 favorite one-pieces (in no particular order).

Gingham BandeauTank, J.Crew $70               

                                         Black Swimsuit, Stella McCartney for Adidas $100

                                     Nylon Tricot Cut-Out Swimsuit, American Apparel $20

Damsel Solid One-Piece, Urban Outfitters $88

Ruched One-Piece, DKNY $96

Dot One Piece Bandeau, American Eagle $40

Monaco, Asha Couture $136