Vacation fashion trends work swimmingly

Whether looking to attract attention or the sun's rays, spring break vacationers have several options this season in both swimsuits and sunglasses.

For swimwear, an unlikely trend that women are picking up on is horizontal-striped swimsuits, said Linda Spanos, owner and buyer for Physique Boutique, 135 Calder Way. And after several years of darker-colored swimwear, she said, brighter colors such as lime, purple and bright blue are also popular choices for spring break.

"Some people just don't want to lay around all the time," she said.

Spanos said the suits at Physique Boutique are all two-piece suits that are sold separately, so customers can buy different tops to go with the bottoms.

"Swimwear manufacturers are starting to realize that different people have different bodies," she said, so the same size and style top and bottom might not work for everyone.

The variety of suit styles that are available now can leave the female customer feeling like she just got hit by a monsoon. However, when men hit the beach, most like to keep it simple, said Byron Forsythe, sales associate at Rapid Transit Sportswear, 115 S. Allen St. "We haven't seen, really, many trends in anything," he said.

The norm for men is a boxer-style suit in solid colors such as red, blue or black, he said, but "nothing with any fancy stuff on it."

Perhaps men would rather make a statement above the waist -- with sunglasses.

Whether spring breakers want to make a fashion statement at the beach, protect their eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays or go incognito to avoid that annoying ex that they can't seem to ditch, sunglasses are a must.

Jennifer Helton, sales associate at Sunglass Hut, 128 W. College Ave., said the first thing she asks is what the customer is looking for -- the second is if they're looking for something for spring break, she said.

Colored lenses such as yellow, blue or pink are popular among spring breakers, she said. The pink and yellow are especially popular, she said.

Magazines such as In Style have featured actors such as Jamie Foxx and Stacey Dash sporting amber frames, which might add to the glasses' popularity.

Designer glasses, such as DKNY, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands, are also in demand, Helton said, and "Oakleys are always big."

Many women think Oakley frames are too big, she said, but Oakley Fives sunglasses are popular among both women and men.

Once a customer finds out if the glasses have 100 percent UV protection, they can focus on style.

Many women are also concerned with finding glasses to match their swimsuits, she said, but "for guys, I think it's all about looking cool."