From darling to daring, check out the most stylish beachwear straight off the spring runways!
The waves are calling and it's time to pick out the perfect summer suit (or three) to pack for that much-needed beach vacay. Get some inspiration from these hot designer bikinis, monokinis, one-pieces and cover-ups, and you'll be reaching for the SPF in no time.
Marc Jacobs took the season's popular peplum trend and applied it to swimwear. His Spring 2012 suits featured wide straps and tiny "collars" that channeled sailor pin-up girls. Could there be a more perfect suit for a retro darling like Zooey Deschanel or Taylor Swift? We think not.
Looks like Donna Karan took some cues from Chanel's signature tweed for this girly-glam pink DKNY set. The matching hat is icing on this super-sweet cake.
Yigal Azrouël paid homage to Halston's legendary deep-V one-piece with this super-sexy suit. White just happens to be our new favorite swimwear color due to its ability to make any skin tone feign melanin.
Leave it to Hervé Léger to make a one-piece scandalous. His spring motif was clear: sex bomb meets gladiator. And what better exemplifies it than these faux cutouts and strappy knee-high sandals? Now those will make for some very interesting tan lines.
For Spring 2012, Michael Kors took the rugged route with splashes of camo, animal print and even (dare we say it) tie-dye. His swimsuits somehow perfectly balanced raw and refined with their clean lines and safari prints.
It's no secret Tommy Hilfiger is a big fan of playful brights. Who would have thought a pink camouflage one-piece could actually be cute? These suits are yet another force behind the '90s nostalgia movement.
It's decided: The parasol needs to make a comeback, if only for the sun protection. Tracy Reese was doing her best to make this a reality with her ladylike peach swimsuit and matching umbrella. A '70s strapless met Gone With the Wind for these dapper beach ensembles.
Rachel Comey conjured up images of the '60s with her straw bucket hats and a halter one-piece. Of course she added a twist with modern photographic prints and fresh cutouts on these stretchy suits.
When it comes to swimwear Felder Felder is in the "smaller the better" school of thought. These teeny weeny bikinis were adorned with studs and beading to make good use of what little fabric was there.
Zero Maria Cornejo combined two of the hottest trends with their bold hues and cutouts for spring. There was actually a sporty vibe to these trendy suits with no-fuss fabric and saturated monochromatic color schemes.
It appears TopShop Unique keeps Rihanna in mind when they design their super-funky runway apparel. Their Spring 2012 collection channeled the '80s with gold lamé and hieroglyphic prints like this hooded suit (that's right, this bad boy is hooded).
Jason Wu is the master of feminine whimsy and his refined style translates rather nicely to the beach. This bustier and matching high-waist bottoms are retro at its finest—particularly when paired with fiery red lips.
Mark Fast's citrus fringe makes for some unbeatable cabana wear. These babies are just begging to be worn in the tropics. Heck, even his chunky accessories are island-ready!
Maybe Issa's print string bikini looks like your run of the mill suit, but this deep-plunging belted number really throws us back to the '70s. The model's Farrah Fawcett hair doesn't hurt, either—all she needs is a classic pair of roller skates.
Thank you, Marios Schwab, for creating a monokini that reveals only the sexiest (and easiest-to-tone) part of a woman's stomach. We would kill to get our hands on this powder blue terrycloth number, especially if we can find the companion satin-lined cape. Divine.
Nanette Lepore's sand-proof styles are guaranteed to bring out your inner little girl. These hot pink and purple prints make us think of our childhood summers, Barbie dolls and scrunchies all wrapped into one.
Look close, that's right, you're seeing tiny Zebras on this Peter Som swimsuit. It's hard to say which is cuter, this cheeky animal print or the colorful zoomed-in roses of his balconette design (that Ashley Greene happened to wear on the cover of Glamour).
For yet another flash to the past, Carlos Miele had his white swimsuit-clad models stroll down the runway in floating chiffon kaftans. Just imagine channeling your inner Bianca Jagger wearing one of these pool-side.
Alexander Wang's sporty spring collection was not short on waterproof mesh or wet saltwater-ravaged hair. This unique number doesn't really cover anything up, per say, but it does add an interesting element to any suit you choose to wear.
Norma Kamali's spring bathing suits joined Marilyn Monroe with futuristic fashion in the form of polka-dots and ruched one-pieces, cutouts and metallic.
The waves are calling and it's time to pick out the perfect summer suit (or three) to pack for that much-needed beach vacay. Get some inspiration from these hot designer bikinis, monokinis, one-pieces and cover-ups, and you'll be reaching for the SPF in no time.
Marc Jacobs took the season's popular peplum trend and applied it to swimwear. His Spring 2012 suits featured wide straps and tiny "collars" that channeled sailor pin-up girls. Could there be a more perfect suit for a retro darling like Zooey Deschanel or Taylor Swift? We think not.
Looks like Donna Karan took some cues from Chanel's signature tweed for this girly-glam pink DKNY set. The matching hat is icing on this super-sweet cake.
Yigal Azrouël paid homage to Halston's legendary deep-V one-piece with this super-sexy suit. White just happens to be our new favorite swimwear color due to its ability to make any skin tone feign melanin.
Leave it to Hervé Léger to make a one-piece scandalous. His spring motif was clear: sex bomb meets gladiator. And what better exemplifies it than these faux cutouts and strappy knee-high sandals? Now those will make for some very interesting tan lines.
For Spring 2012, Michael Kors took the rugged route with splashes of camo, animal print and even (dare we say it) tie-dye. His swimsuits somehow perfectly balanced raw and refined with their clean lines and safari prints.
It's no secret Tommy Hilfiger is a big fan of playful brights. Who would have thought a pink camouflage one-piece could actually be cute? These suits are yet another force behind the '90s nostalgia movement.
It's decided: The parasol needs to make a comeback, if only for the sun protection. Tracy Reese was doing her best to make this a reality with her ladylike peach swimsuit and matching umbrella. A '70s strapless met Gone With the Wind for these dapper beach ensembles.
Rachel Comey conjured up images of the '60s with her straw bucket hats and a halter one-piece. Of course she added a twist with modern photographic prints and fresh cutouts on these stretchy suits.
When it comes to swimwear Felder Felder is in the "smaller the better" school of thought. These teeny weeny bikinis were adorned with studs and beading to make good use of what little fabric was there.
Zero Maria Cornejo combined two of the hottest trends with their bold hues and cutouts for spring. There was actually a sporty vibe to these trendy suits with no-fuss fabric and saturated monochromatic color schemes.
It appears TopShop Unique keeps Rihanna in mind when they design their super-funky runway apparel. Their Spring 2012 collection channeled the '80s with gold lamé and hieroglyphic prints like this hooded suit (that's right, this bad boy is hooded).
Jason Wu is the master of feminine whimsy and his refined style translates rather nicely to the beach. This bustier and matching high-waist bottoms are retro at its finest—particularly when paired with fiery red lips.
Mark Fast's citrus fringe makes for some unbeatable cabana wear. These babies are just begging to be worn in the tropics. Heck, even his chunky accessories are island-ready!
Maybe Issa's print string bikini looks like your run of the mill suit, but this deep-plunging belted number really throws us back to the '70s. The model's Farrah Fawcett hair doesn't hurt, either—all she needs is a classic pair of roller skates.
Thank you, Marios Schwab, for creating a monokini that reveals only the sexiest (and easiest-to-tone) part of a woman's stomach. We would kill to get our hands on this powder blue terrycloth number, especially if we can find the companion satin-lined cape. Divine.
Nanette Lepore's sand-proof styles are guaranteed to bring out your inner little girl. These hot pink and purple prints make us think of our childhood summers, Barbie dolls and scrunchies all wrapped into one.
Look close, that's right, you're seeing tiny Zebras on this Peter Som swimsuit. It's hard to say which is cuter, this cheeky animal print or the colorful zoomed-in roses of his balconette design (that Ashley Greene happened to wear on the cover of Glamour).
For yet another flash to the past, Carlos Miele had his white swimsuit-clad models stroll down the runway in floating chiffon kaftans. Just imagine channeling your inner Bianca Jagger wearing one of these pool-side.
Alexander Wang's sporty spring collection was not short on waterproof mesh or wet saltwater-ravaged hair. This unique number doesn't really cover anything up, per say, but it does add an interesting element to any suit you choose to wear.
Norma Kamali's spring bathing suits joined Marilyn Monroe with futuristic fashion in the form of polka-dots and ruched one-pieces, cutouts and metallic.
