Hot Swimwear Trends for Summer 2011

Like the rest of the folks in the fashion world, I was avidly keeping tabs on the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week shows. Although I was having fun chasing fashion tv videos of Luca Luca and Rebecca Minkoff runways, I was extremely focused on the swimwear designers. After all, shouldn't the majority of summer be spent in swimwear? At least, that's what I truly believe. Even if we're not afforded the opportunities of celebs who get to jet off to St. Barths and Aruba every weekend, we can still indulge in some amazing swimwear for the local pools! This includes tunics and beach dresses of course. This season, I saw some amazing new trends and some re-purposed ones as well. The biggest swimwear designer of the year? My vote goes to Beach Bunny, who did an amazing job forging some new daring swimwear trends.

Get in on the summer swimwear action by viewing the 5 Best Swimwear trends of 2011.

This year, you can have some fun with putting together your swimwear outfits! Many designers such as Cache worked different patterns and colors on top and bottom at MBFW. It's not just about mixing up colors ladies. You can now work with various textures, fabrics and even styles. Halter top with a bikini bottom? Yes. A sequined top with a denim bottom? Yes! It all goes!

Afraid of clashing the different mix and match separates? No worries! The easiest way to mix and match different top and bottoms is to go for one neutral color and one bold or a printed top and solid bottom. For example: A bright purple bottom with a white swimsuit top. Or, a floral printed bikini bottom and a solid yellow bikini top.

Try this out yourself by purchasing bikinis that are sold separately. What's even better about this trend? Like many other women in this country, I'm a completely different size on top and bottom. So I always need to purchase a Medium top and an XS bottom, and that's okay now. Victoria's Secret has a great selection of mix and match swimwear.

A rampant trend on the runways this year I noticed was lingerie inspired swimwear. It was all about the silk, satin and lace. Seriously, I was confusing Beach Bunny's runway with Victorias Secrets'! So, why not look absolutely boudoir on the sandy beaches?

Wanna try this at home without looking too risque? Go for a lingerie inspired swimsuit that's not a bikini. It'll keep that distinction between lingerie and swimwear if you go for a monokini with great coverage.

Conversely, you could also opt for some amazing swimwear covers-ups. There's nothing better than an excuse to indulge in a fabulous tunic beach cover-up.

Although solid-colored bikinis are still reportedly the best-selling kind in the US, go a little bold this year with a print. For printed swimwear this year, tribal and exotic prints are all the rage. Yes, I hate using words like "tribal" or "exotic" because they don't really define anything but it's really difficult to describe otherwise.

Note: Paisley is out, bold prints are in. Yay for some retro-Pucci looks!

My favorite thing about wearing "tribal" printed bikinis? You get to wear some cool jewelry. Picture gold bangles, cuffs and amazing bib necklaces! And don't forget the retro white, round sunglasses!

Want some more S&M in your life? NOT that kind of S&M silly, we're keeping it strictly PG today. It's all about bondage-style bathing suits this season. The more fabric, wraps and complicated bandages the better. This sexy look is not for the bashful so get fearless and await the ogling looks! Want to tone the look down? Go for color; it'll lighten up on the "theme-y" feeling.

What I love about this look: It's dazzling to create a whole look around the "bondage" style. Go for bedhead-bombshell hair. Think Cheryl Cole with the hair and don't forget the skyscraper heels!

Note: The suits can get quite complex and difficult to manage, so if you're planning on doing some hardcore surfing or other water sport of some sort, avoid this trend and go practical.

I am absolutely head over heels for the tangerine color this season. And it's not going to be limited to just swimwear in my wardrobe! I'm going bold with tangerine printed tunics, tangerine sandals and sunglasses! But, I do plan on investing in a tangerine colored bathing suit.

What's fantastic about tangerine is that it really does show off a tan. Tangerine was seen literally everywhere on the runways, so if you're a trend-ista, tangerine is a must!

What to try the trend at home? Go for 2 trends in 1! (It's kind of like that saying, killing two birds with one stone kind of thing.) Try a tangerine-printed swimsuit or a bondage-style monokini in tangerine!