Zee Bikini

The summer season comes with many perks - fabulously extended holidays, days at the beach and the beloved shorts are always a welcoming sight - but one thing an alarming number of fashionistas get wrong is the basics, and it's not the amount of SPF in your sun tan lotion.

Swimwear pieces are more important than people give credit for; the right bikini can shrink your hips and bring out the brown you didn't know existed in your skin. But more times than not many get so caught up in the latest couture that we forget the necessities for a day at the beach!

These trends, as you may have noticed, don't move in quite the same cycle as other fashion trends; this is because it can be exhaustingly difficult to reinvent the bikini or monokini, and designers are sadly limited to what they can actually do. Despite this, one piece and bikini trends are certainly still influenced by other fashion trends; cutaway clothing, one-shouldered pieces, fetish fashion, high end sportswear - you name it!

So at the end of the day, it all comes down to one question; what swimsuit trends can we expect for 2011 and 2012? You'd be right to guess that these trends have been altered. So here's a guide into the key looks that have been heating the catwalks for this summer!

Ruffled Swimsuits
It may be the inspiration of vintage swimwear on 2011 and 2012, or it's just the need for women to fund a distinct and feminine way for their swimsuits to stand out - whatever it is, I'm loving !it! Ruffled bikinis and swimsuits are one of the major swimwear trends of the coming seasons, so chop chop to the shops!

Crochet Bikinis
Influenced both by the return of 1970s fashion and the crochet clothing trend that took last summer by storm, crochet swimsuits and open weave pieces are not just on-trend this season, but a must-have fashionable swimwear style. They may not be the most practical to swim in but hey, they're gorgeous!

One Shoulder Styles
This coveted style was all the rage back in 2009, but as 2010 progressed they, like the trend that inspired them, sadly began to lose popularity. However, while they may not be the 'must-have' trend of the season, they're still an awesome little number to have on hand!

Of course, there's always the classical bikini, which serves as a fool-proof back-up plan in any scenario, but aren't these just so much cuter?! Comment below, you know you want to!
Love E ♥