Flip-flops, traditionally considered summer attire, have been spotted throughout Happy Valley since the first day of above-45-degree weather.

This can only mean that it is almost time to pull that bathing suit from the dark recesses of your closet or check the pages of a magazine for the hottest swimwear styles, whichever floats your soon-to-be-sailed boat.

As usual, there are plenty of bikinis, triangle tops and tankinis to go around this season. This year, stores have also reintroduced an oldie but goodie -- the one-piece suit, restyled from your mom's old black number into a fashionable and chic swim item.

"What's really cool now are one pieces, if you can pull it off," Rachel Medernach (freshman-marketing) said.

Bandeau tops and halter bikinis are also popular choices if you want to avoid accidental swimsuit malfunctions because of harsh ocean waves.

On that note, be ready to coordinate swimsuit style with activity level. For active students who prefer sailing or water skiing rather than sunbathing, tankinis and one-piece suits are practical and fashionable.

"When swimming or sailing, you need to be more comfortable," Morrissey said. "A bikini is not going to work then."

For some students, swimming is the ideal summer workout. Speedo is a popular brand because of its versatile suits.

"I work out when I swim, so I usually wear a one-piece," Melissa Nau (freshman-animal bioscience) said.

Popular colors for suits this year range from bright and patterned to dark and solid. "My favorite is a striped yellow and teal suit with light sequins on it," Jen Morrissey (freshman-animal sciences) said.

Chris Lenhart, assistant manager at Abercrombie & Fitch at the King of Prussia Mall, said his store is selling women's bikinis in only brown or olive green.

"Our most popular bikini is a solid olive with shells on the top and bottom," Lenhart said. "They are actual shells that are shiny, almost oily, like the inside of a mussel or clam."

Pink remains a favorite among Penn State women.

"I like bubble gum pink, because it makes everyone look tan," Medernach said.

The color combination of pink and brown is popular for the summer, with patterns such as polka dots, Sarah Dodgson (freshman-crime, law and justice) said.

Alyssa Chiumento (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said that seersucker is also a popular choice for the summer.

"I like teal, light blue, or green, because they match my eyes," Morgan Bolender (freshman-psychology) said.

As for places to shop for new swimsuits, J. Crew is the overwhelming favorite among shoppers.

With swimwear of all shapes and colors, J. Crew is a reliable source for trendy and comfortable suits.

"I like to mix and match solids in the same scheme," Medernach said. "I like J. Crew and Lilly Pulitzer."

For men shopping for a new set of trunks, Abercrombie offers a board-short collection with a wide range of colors and patterns, including browns, white, blues and Hawaiian prints.

"They were very popular at spring break," Lenhart said. "All of the colors have been selling pretty equally. It's just a personal preference."