Time To Start Thinking Poolside

We're not even out of January yet, but i'm getting swimwear catalogs in the mail already. It's still sweater weather here in Sacramento, and most of the country is freezing cold. But last weekend, i was in L.A., where the sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the weather was its usual perpetual summer. Which, of course, got me thinking about planning my seasonal wardrobe.

So using my fine fashion eye, i'm able to tell you what's going to be hot by the pool and at the beach this summer. i think i can sum it up with these four words: polka-dots, halter-tops, boy-shorts and beads. Okay, so maybe that's seven words, but this is a post about fashion, not semantics, so listen up.

What in the world could be cuter than a polka-dot two-piece? They wrote a song about it didn't they? Trust me, everything is gonna be polka-dots this year. My favorites are at Vicki's Secret, including this classic triangle string-tie in white with multicored dots. Trés adorable. There's also a halter-top in the same pattern. Raisin's has a similar top and bottom, but the price is not as nice. Vicki's is actually swimming in polka-dot styles this year, for instance: bows and ruffles, and spumoni flavored, and this comfy looking tankini halter, equally perfect for volleyball or a picnic.

Old Navy hasn't yet come out with their summer styles yet, but you can get this green string top for only $4.99, which should be paired with black boy-shorts or these green and white numbers. A bikini for under ten bucks? That's cheapo, but with Old Navy you usually get what you pay for, so be forewarned.

And Nordy's has a polka-dot tankini set in stark black and white that makes me dream about being poolside at some Palm Springs bungalow, wearing dark cat-eyes under a floppy white chapeau, baking on a chaise-lounge and maybe sipping a fruity concoction served up by that nicely-tanned-yet-not-too-bright young poolboy that occasionally wanders in and out of my fantasies. You know, the one with the perfect abs? Whew.

i hope we're all thankfully over last summer’s bandeau craze. The demise of that silly fad was undoubtedly hastened by the unfortunate Kirsten Dunst unveiling of 2004. Not only was the bandeau top impractical, it wasn't very flattering either. Although they're not for everybody, halters will take over this summer, and the good news is that they're practically impervious to unintended incidents of Dunstation. Here's a hella cute retro gingham pattern.

Venus calls boy-shorts "hot shorts." Like Jessica, i prefer a low rise version with drawstring. Solid color boy-shorts are very versatile and great to match with a triangle top or tankini. Carabella does the boy-short thing with stripes and polka-dots, and these low rise O'Neills prove that you can look super sexy without being too cheeky.

As for beads, i'm seeing them on the ends of string-ties, but also as a decorative accent. i think this bikini is gorgeous, but i don't like the idea of spending $150 on something i'd be afraid to get wet. Ujena turns the beads into a belt.

One final warning. i have a sneaky suspicion, since the movie is coming out this summer, that we might see some Daisy Duke inspired swimwear on the racks. i think my visitors are sophisticated enough to know this already, but let me just say it outright: Anything Daisy Duke is by its very nature cheesy and is to be worn only at halloween.