สวัสดี Sawadeeka

Sipping kaffir lime soda, dabbing the nape of my neck with an iced lemongrass towel, waiting for my Thai foot massage, soon all my extremities will be occupied. But I will return ere long to our quest for beauty, style, and etiquette.

While I'm abroad, please deliver your topic suggestions in the comments. I look forward to chatting with you over duty free chocolate when I return.

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ráang laa

Aquatic Accessories: Cover Ups

Elephantine t-shirts and sodden shorts are no longer an option, click on any image to ameliorate your swim overlay.

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Aquatic Accessories: Swim Caps

Photo: Vogue 1955

Photo: Cig Harvey

Photo: Arthur Elgort forVogue Living

Photo: Horst for Vogue

Model: Anne St. Marie 1956

Photo: Vogue 1957

Photo: Vogue, March 2008

Keep your perfect coiffure from getting soggy with a vintage reproduction at Headcovers or the original signature at Glamour Surf.

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Swimwear: Hourglass

We finalize the swimwear by body type series with the mythical mermaid of the swimming pool: our finely symmetrical hourglass figure. Like an over the top Busby Berkeley production, there's excitement on all levels. Below are suggestions on how to make the most of it.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Super Suit fashion look book cheat sheet.

Points of note:

1. As your proportions are already flawless, continue painting your surroundings green by drawing attention to your comparatively tiny waist: colorblocking, ties, belts, etc.
2. The above mentioned embellishments will also break a long torso into dainty, delicious pieces. Add in a high cut leg line and you'll be utterly leglicious.
   
3. If you have a short torso, use a lower cut leg to stretch your core.
   

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Swimwear: Upper Figure

The upper figure is elegantly epitomized by the strong shouldered swimmer. While she has earned her figure proportions stroke by stroke of consistent aquatic dedication, others gain their figurative buoyancy indiginously. Whether you square your shoulders with sinuous breadth, or swell your chest with obverse width, there is a swimsuit made for you.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Super Suit fashion look book cheat sheet.

Points of note:

1. Look for suits that buttress your lady eggs with support from the south, east and west. The shelf of your suit should provide you the same accommodations as your bra. With underwire and/or high content spandex to administer comfort and security.
   
2. Slim hips adorned with a little ruffle or a bright dye to draw the eyes can balance the dominant flirtation of the upper half.
3. **It should be noted that the third and fourth recommendations listed above are perfect for protecting a rotund bust, but will make someone with athletic arms appear square and masculine.
   

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Swimwear: Middle Figure

Yummy, yummy, tummy tummy. Let us luxuriate in the comfort of our soft, delicious centers, aka the middle figure. Because who wouldn't exchange a whole six pack of Fanta for a sweet and frosty Strawberry Daiquiri. Mix me a virgin please.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Super Suit fashion look book cheat sheet.

Points of note:

1. For suits cut from a single cloth, opt for something with some distractions around the center: ruching, pattern, ruffles. Should you ignore this caution, you might end up looking like Queen Latifah on the American Idol finale. Bless her yummy tummy, she should have taken lessons from her lower figured protege, Lil Rounds.
   
2. If you prefer a paired swim trunk and top, look into the tankini. For best results, the waistband should extend to the fullest part of your center, where it will smooth and flatten. The hem will then skim your core ending at a flared hem on the hip.
   

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Swimwear: Lower Figure

Today we move south to the lower figure. And while some may not be able to leave their board shorts on the beach, these suits might at least persuade you to consider it.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Super Suit fashion look book cheat sheet.

Points of note:

1. Equalize your own figurative civil war. Use elaborate costuming up north to compete with the greater volume down south. Ornamentation, chromatics, patterning, glints of skin will all do the trick.
   
2. We recommend two ways to outfit your kickers for aquatics: Lengthen them with a high cut leg or cloak them with a swimmers skirt.
   

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Swimwear: Linear Figure

The inaugural swim social is imminent. If the thought of such unequivocal exposure elicits involuntary wincing, the occasion has arisen for a super suit. One which will allow your figure's unique virtues to shimmer.

I make no qualms about excluding bikinis from the super suit category. The bikini-clad are consistently the focus of fashion mortifications in the preface of teen magazines, and super suits should never embarrass you.

Today we start with the linear figure. A particularly shy specimen of sunbathers. While her abdomen is straight so is the rest of her. Below we've outlined a resolution plan specifically for her.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Super Suit fashion look book cheat sheet.

Points of note:

1. Add a touch of romance wherever you want to emphasize a curve. If your lack gusto in the busto, ornament it: ruffles, bows, and high necklines all give the illusion of fullness.
2. To create curvy hips apply a belt, side ties, fringe, or other feminine details.

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

PS: The black suit comes with a removable halter, I recommend using it unless you too want to be featured as a caution to 14-year-old girls across the nation.

Double Feature Friday - Sultry Summer: Accessories

Why double feature? Because there is a second treat immediately below this one.

The heat of some shimmering morning in July is going to ban the use of a blowdryer. And while you'd prefer to wear your slippy out, summon the courage to don a t-shirt and jeans. Because such bravery deserves medals, pretty, sparkly medals. These badges add impact without raising the internal thermometer: a hat for your tousled locks, a necklace for your glowing collarbones, a bag stocked with sunblock and sleek waterbottles.

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Garnish Necklace
Suiting Cap
Hush Hush Tee
AG Harper Ex-Boyfriend Crop
Zowie Zinnia Tote
Smidgen Peep Toes

Additional ribbons, wreaths, and rewards below:


















And make sure you don't miss the second feature applauding cotton.

Sultry Summer: Cotton

The next sunray we're extracting out of summer's satchel is cotton. This textile has great lungs, or rather, it breathes phenomenally well. Breathing keeps moisture away from the body. And when sewn into a frock, you benefit form the added opulence of circulating air.

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Simplicity Dress
Calero Wrap
Follow the Map Belt
Honey-Gold Pumps

Below is a collection of alternatives, procured from a variety of establishments.