Here’s how designers are bringing this retro fit into the new millennium for the 2012 season:

Bold prints and patterns

Lace-up and cut-out bottoms

Ruffles and ruching

(Marilyn Monroe photo credit)

How will you style your retro bikini?

Summer tan lines via Flickr.com

It’s that time again. Say hello to the summer and all its wonder — oh yeah, and awkward tan lines. Hey, tan lines happen to the best of us. You have nothing to be ashamed of, you know, besides being publicly mocked by your friends and family. In an effort to ease these blows to your self-confidence, we found some crazy tan line photos that will remind you that you are not alone. If only there were a support group for this summertime skin tone affliction.

Baseball Cap Mishap

Baseball cap tan lines are so in this year.

While this dude did manage to protect his cranium from turning the bright crimson of this neck, he forgot that mesh hats are not the best form of sun-blocking head gear. via Wiki Commons

Keeping the Germs and Sun at Bay

Bird Flu? Protected. SPF? Errr...

While this funny picture is probably a product of Photoshop, it still made us wonder if there were similar tan lines out there. Germaphobes who love the sun would need something to protect their facial orifices from all those germs and fresh air. Yet, the chances of a sun worshiping clean-freak are slim. via The Wild Ones

So Many Bathing Suits, So Little Time

Tan lines by the poolside.

A word to the wise — wearing suits with greatly differing cuts will draw attention to your tan lines. The woman above has tan lines from her work out gear (or bicycling equipment). Found on a site dedicated to music, this athletic lady knows how to even out that skin tone. A little tanning by the pool anyone?

Magazine Cover Worthy

Celebrities get tan lines, too.

Celebrities are people too. It’s actually kind of refreshing that a superstar like Jennifer Lopez is pictured with a tan line. Of course, she is still stunning. Perhaps we should all be so confident with our quirky tans. Yeah, right! via Kiss and Makeup

Pale is the New Tan

So there is this awesomely biting blog dedicated to featuring the obscenely tan. Also, it features some scary tan lines. Readers and fans of the blog also post some of their sun bathing “oh no” moments. The following photos are from Pale is the New Tan.

Why Speedo? Why?!

If you can’t stand the heat, just stay inside all summer. Or you could use an SPF of 400. You have two choices ahead of you this season: pasty, same tone or bronze, mixed tone. There is always the option of tanning beds, but that’s a different story.

A victim of tan lines? You are not alone.

How do you avoid tan lines?

So what bathing suits should you steer clear of? Try to avoid the enlarged photos of animals, plaid, pictures of flesh-eating ghouls … well, you get the gist. For a visual explanation, scroll down.

Cat Mania

Photo: Cat Party

Even if you really, really love cats you should veer away from this cat-astrophe. From a few years back, this Fiorucci bathing suit of a growling baby tiger is the thing of nightmares.

It’s Zombie Time!

Photo: Iron Fist

What lady wouldn’t want her bathing suit to invoke images of brain-craving zombies? Safe to say probably not that many. This Iron Fist zombie bikini looks like it may be the work of that guy who illustrated The Walking Dead books.

Ready To Fight Crime? Anyone?

While more of their stuff is pretty fab, this Go Get Retro swimsuit looks more Wonder Woman than vintage vixen. If you already bought it . . . pair it with a lasso and save it for Halloween.

Is That a Lumberjack?

Photo featured on Etsy.

Walking a thin line between cute and heinous, this vintage number almost pulled through. Despite the unique lines, the heavy pattern falls flat. Unless you have always wanted to be a lumberjack.

For The Hoody Dependent

Hood optional. Bet you never thought you would hear that in reference to a bathing suit. The Fashion Police featured this suit last season. An interesting idea, but think of the awkward tan lines!

Have you noticed any truly gag-worthy Lycra monstrosities? Post them in the comments section.

Picture featured on ANewMode.com.

Stop searching for solace at the bottom of ice cream pints. Fashion experts share tips to assist women in finding that bathing suit that will compliment apple, pear, hourglass or slender shapes. It is important to select only swimwear that will fit properly. A suit that fits too loosely will produce either a saggy bottom or bust look. On the other hand, one that runs on the tighter side will create overhang that will draw attention to problem areas.

Gurus Cosmopolitan magazine and the website A New Mode provide some fashion advice for those ladies hunting for the perfect suit.

Not Enough On Top

For women with a smaller cup size, try a top with embellishment. Go frill wild! Ruffles, frills and fringes give the illusion of a fuller bust. Additionally, a triangle top or top with horizontal lines will have the same effect. Don’t forget that a little padding never hurts, so be on the lookout for lining that has a bit more oomph to it.

Oftentimes, women with this body type are generally described as pear-shaped, which is defined by a smaller bust and waist in proportion to the hips and thighs.

Check out the video below for expert advice from Joann Pailey, of ELLE Magazine.

No Curves, No Problem

For those with a boyish figure, follow the above advice regarding tops. Regarding bottoms, go for definition in the hip area. Look for  bottoms with ruffles, belts, or side ties.

Here are a few tips from fashion industry experts.

Wider Mid-Section Woes

Apple-shaped ladies have a different set of problems. Their main issues reside in their midsections. A belted one-piece will cinch at the waist for a more hourglass figure. For those not belt-inclined, think tankini. This suit offers support and covers up any extra love you might have in your handle area. Additionally, experiment with the slimming black and suits with empire waists.

Also keep in mind that one-piece suits with plunging v-necklines add shape and definition to the waist and draw the eye to the bust and face.

Kim Johnson Gross, iVillage style expert, points out what to look for in bathing suits for apple-shapes gals in the video below.

Junk-In-The-Trunk Syndrome

Big bootie chickadees should try bottoms with rings accessory end-pieces. Not only do they look super cute, but can protect you from any unsightly wedgie situations. A boy cut bottom will provide extra coverage. The more daring of this feminine population may want to wear something that shows a bit more skin. Plunging necklines draws attention to the top half of the body and balances out the wearer’s figure. Don’t forget the importance of color. Darker, solid bottoms will help minimize the appearance of that particular asset.

Another option, skirted bottoms may solve any bum dilemmas. The frill offers a bit more coverage and conceals any imperfections or bulges. Even better, it evens out the sides of the hips. Something similar to this Net-A-Porter suit will do nicely.

Top Heavy Concerns

Finally, but not least, those top-heavy women who wish to downplay their overabundance there are a number of solutions. A one-piece with a V-neckline elongates the body and exposes just the right about of cleavage. Still want to sport a two-piece? Just stick to the thicker, supportive halter tops and keep an eye out for thicker underside bands and underwire cups.

For additional tips on how to address overfilling cups, watch the video below.

The Hourglass

Those ladies with an hourglass figure have long been considered the ideal feminine form. They have wide hips and busts and very slender waists. Hailed as the body type bathing suits were designed for, they really just have to make sure to balance their proportions. Make sure to match styles in either solids or prints and focus on supportive tops like halter tops or those banded around the midriff. One pieces are also an option – stick to wide straps and styles with a shelf bra or foam cups. Suits with plunging V-necks will play up the hourglass shape.

Do you think it’s difficult to find that “it” suit for the summer?

Wide-brimmed hats, over-sized sunglasses and red lipstick may just make a comeback this summer… with the help of one line of vintage swimsuits.

For the past couple of years, the Lolita-Girl Clothing Company has been redefining the swimwear industry with its line of bathing suits, Poolside. The company draws inspiration from the sassy fashion of the pin-up ladies of the 1940s and 1950s. New swimsuit styles include polka dots and Hawaiian-styled patterns and feature skirted bottoms. Donning these, women will feel more Betty Grable than Britney Spears when basking in the sun this vacation season.

Launching in 2000, Steve Williams and Maureen decided to bring women a unique line of dresses and lingerie that mixes aspects of today’s fashion trends with the sexy, elegance of clothing from the past. They describe their look as post-modern vintage. Located in southern California, it was only a matter of time before Lolita-Girl Clothing branched out into beachwear.

Many of the suits are flattering on any body type. Set to start shipping in March, one of the newer styles is the Lolita-Girl Vintage Hawaiian suit (at top). The durable spandex material allows for a comfortable fit that skims over curves. The bust features lining and center gathering, which adds an extra pinch of femininity. For a more structured and pin-up girl look, ladies can wear the removable foam cups that are included with the swimming suit. The vibrant floral pattern splashes across the suit. Cleverly disguised as a one-piece, this adorably sweet swimsuit is a two-piece.

Another new suit on the block, the Lolita-Girl Starlet (above) will turn heads. Large white polka dots rest on a black background. A piercing red that runs the length of the suit accentuates the wearer’s womanly shape. Like the Vintage Hawaiian, the two-piece suit features removable foam pads for that structured bust. Red frilly trim and center ruching finish off the suit.

Boasting a high thread count, Lolita-Girl swimwear can handle a few rounds with the washing machine, although hand washing is always the safest bet. Plan on spending a little more cash on these quality bathing suits.

Starting in the 18th century, women began wearing “bathing gowns” in the water. These gowns were composed of long dresses with weighted fabric as to not rise up in the water. Hence, the old-time swimwear was not conducive to sunbathing in the least bit.

It wasn’t until the 19th century when the two-piece swimsuit appeared. Quite unlike the modern day two-piece, these suits consisted of a gown from shoulders to knees in addition to leggings down to the ankles. Leaving nearly everything to the imagination, these suits were not favorable by those with very little.

The bikini didn’t make a splash until after World War II. It’s name was derived from  Bikini Atoll, the site of several nuclear weapons tests, for its “explosive effect on the viewer.” And that explosive effect has become even more unstoppable with the feminist movement and social acceptance of less-is-more fashions. The rest? It’s history.

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

The Future?

And last but certainly not least, we give you the burqini. We like to think the burqini will be the swimsuit of the future. If you can’t possibly cover any less, why not go retro and cover it all?

Which is your favorite decade of swimwear? What do you think swimsuits of the future will look like?

(Images via Flickr via ozfan22, anyjazz65, elseachelsea, State Library of Queensland, Australia, TiptopSteve, autumnsensation, Billy Boy UK, whitedovenyc, GBPosters.com, Carrie Minter Lagree, kikidoll swimwear & DoctorBulldog)