New swimsuits are being cut, or knit, from a different cloth
By La Rochelle Murray Special to the Kansan
Seersucker, crochet, imitation suede and velvet are the new fabrics in women's swimwear this spring.
No longer are women limited to just the basic cotton and lycra suits. This year, the swimsuit industry has created swimwear that can be worn almost anywhere.
"A swimsuit needs to be part of an outfit," said Greg Schroeder, manager of The Buckle, 805 Massachusetts St. "Imagine you're in Padre. You're not thinking about a change of clothes after you hit the beach, so you typically wear jean shorts or a skirt over your bikini or one-piece suit."
The Buckle is featuring some new and unusual styles for spring.
One of those styles is a blue cotton-knit tank suit that has a quilted sunflower on the front. The sunflower is made of different printed materials that resemble a quilt. Other popular styles at the Buckle include bikinis in a rainbow of colors and styles, as well as basic tank suits.
the bikinis range in texture from lycra, which is the regular spandex-like stretchy fabric, to crochet, which is material made by looping thread with a hooked needle.
The most popular bikini this year has an underwire bra, Schroeder said. Another popular bikini top is the underwire halter top with wider straps.
Swimsuits at The Buckle range in price from $45 to $70.
The J.C. Penney Co. Inc., 1801 W. 23rd St,
also has a variety of swimsuits.
Shawn Culletin, employee in the swimwear department at J.C. Penney, agreed that the underwire bikini styles were very fashionable this year.
J. C. Penney also offers an array of different styles for full-figured women. Women with less than perfect bodies no longer are restricted to the usual tank suit with a skirted bottom. They can enjoy suits with more style and flair, such as a tank swimsuit in nautical colors or a suit with vertical stripes that seems to melt away pounds instantly.
"What we call the 'Slim Suits' are very popular for the fuller figure," Culletin said. "They are very complimenting to the figure and actually seem to control the stomach and minimize the thighs." Prices at J.C. Penney range from $28 to $46.
Wanda Davis, buyer and merchandise manager for Weaver's, 901 Massachusetts St. said lurex was another popular fabric for swimsuits this spring. Lurex is the gold thread that usually outlines a floral print design on swimsuits.
"We have ordered big-shirt gauze coverups that are basically a big shirt, which seems to be very popular this year because they are inexpensive and easy to care for," Davis said.
Davis also said that cover-ups for swimwear have changed this year.
Although there is a plethora of different styles and colors for spring fashion in swimwear, most swimsuit buyers and salespeople recommend two things: Pick a suit that flatters your figure, and pick a design that shows your true personality.
California fashions come to Lawrence
By Cortney DeBasio Special to the Kansas
Although there aren't any oceans within a 300-mile radius of Lawrence, a California fashion wave has rolled into the city.
This beachwear style is the latest trend in Kansas.
California clothing companies with names such as Stussy, Billabong and Mossimo have brought a new genre of clothing to store shelves.
Although the clothing is aimed at athletes, it recently has become a style of clothing that almost everyone wears.
It's not just for the beach anymore. There is a distinction between what is worn on and off the beach.
Because of California's geographic location and climate, most of the clothing is geared toward typical beach activities such as surfing, skate boarding and volleyball. Californians participate in these activities year-round, enabling them to make full use of beachwear.
"There are two schools of clothing," said Josh Ogden, Temecula, Calif., freshman. "There is the 'gangster look' and the basic beachwear."
Ogden, employee at Shark's Surf Shop, 701 W. Ninth St., said the 'gangster' look was defined by baggy shorts or jeans worn with an oversized shirt with horizontal stripes. On the other hand, there is the basic beachwear, which has been around since the Beach Boys. Basic beachwear is just a T-shirt, surf trunks or shorts and sandals.
Both of these styles have been created by companies such as Quiksilver, Rip Curl and Stussy,the brand name most popular in Lawrence.
Other popular logos are those with names such as Billabong, named after the landscape in Australia, and Big Dog. Big Dog clothing carries it's trademark St. Bernard on everything it sells.
"Stussy hats are really trendy," said Dino Boedeker, Mission Viejo, Calif., junior, and an employee at Shark's Surf Shop.
Another common characteristic of beachwear is the sayings that catch the buyers' attention. For example, Big Dog clothing has a saying to motivate buyers: "Lead, follow or get out of the way."
Basic beachwear has one major claim to fame—its coloring.
"They are bright, loud,very busy clothes," said Moses Smith, assistant manager at Big Dog Sportswear, I Riverfront Plaza.
The colors that are typical of the styles here are more neutral. In men's fashions, browns , blacks and plaids are favored.
12 SPRING FASHION • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN • April 6, 1994
SA Thrift Store
1816 Massachusetts