SWIMSUIT TRENDS HOT OFF THE PRESS

With hats and swimsuits such likely companions we thought you might want to know about swimsuit trends from a recent LA show.

Luxe: Missoni-inspired prints for every demographic and in every color combination.

Metal - whether in foil ,on hardware or covering an entire suit—was everywhere. Gold, silver, bronze and even copper are next season’s winner.

Whimsy: Skull and Bones, all things Pirate, and nautical references were popular for junior brands looking to tap into the “Pirates of the Caribbean” theme. That means rich jewel tones, metal embellishments and crystals all appeared alongside skulls and anchor tattoo graphics. Popular fabrics included: silk knits, silk chiffon, animal prints, ethnic prints, beading and gauzy cottons.

Cover-ups have been big sellers in the last year. Lucky Brand swimwear said cover-ups make up 25 percent of their sales and at Diane von Furstenberg they’re selling two cover-ups for every suit.

Here is an opportunity for Hat Makers. Why not contact the cover-up companies and offer to make hats that match their cover-ups. You want an idea whose time has come again? How about hats attached to cover-up hang tags? Remember in the good old days (the 50’s and 60’s) when hats were attached to hang tags on children’s dresses.