Skylar Wright 

Features Editor

Bold patterns, prints, and colors keep you looking cool during the hot summer months.
Photo Courtesy of mctcampus.com

From October to May, I long for the heat and sunshine and start purchasing my swimwear well before the summer season begins; by the time Memorial Day hits, my bathing suit drawer is overflowing.  Growing up in a beach town, the beach is not just a place to soak up the sun and cool off in the water, it is an endless, sandy, runway where every girl wants to have the most eye catching bikini or one-piece. Most of us here in Oklahoma take vacations to these tropical places and feel outdated as soon as we hit the beach. Stay on top of swimsuit trends so you don’t feel like the odd man out.

The 2013 trends for beachwear are fresh and bold and here are some affordable options so you can rock these looks on any budget.

Retro is huge this year, not only in clothing, but in swimwear as well. High waists are in for clothes, and this trend is showing up for beachwear, too.

Retro vintage-feel bathing suits are a favorite this season. The high waist bottoms look great with a variety of tops from bandeau to halter to string.  Mixing and matching only makes this look feel more vintage and I especially love the idea of mixing prints.

Speaking of prints, bold pattern and prints are another trend this year.  Aztec, houndstooth, floral, and pretty much any pattern you can imagine is showing up on runways for summer.  Feel free to stand out and make a statement, and mix and match patterns and colors!  A look resurfacing this year is graphic prints.  The prints I have seen so far are of animals, people, and landscapes.  These prints work best on a one-piece, or otherwise the effect is lost.

Now obviously we can’t all afford Vivienne Westwood or Versace bathing suits, but luckily many affordable retail companies offer a variety of these popular looks for reasonable prices.