Swimwear is a staple element in every woman’s wardrobe. You can’t go on a summer vacation without a swimsuit or bikini in your suitcase, for it is not the done thing to lie on a beach in jeans and a tee shirt. However, with so many swimwear styles to choose from, it can be hard to figure out which one is the right one for you.

Whether you are looking for swimwear for you or your kids, the latest catwalk trends are a good place to start. Designers always influence the High Street, so if a particular style appears on the Milan or London catwalks, you can guarantee it will appear in an online store near you very soon. There are plenty of trendy junior sizes at SwimsuitsDirect.com, bit if you need a sexy swimsuit for your summer vacation here are the top trends for 2016.

Cutout Swimwear

Cutout swimwear is very trendy in the world of celebrity. We are treated to images of our favorite reality TV stars sporting their flesh in a cutout swimsuit on a daily basis. When worn well, this type of swimsuit is very sexy. It has a certain ‘dominatrix’ appeal, which many women like. Depending on where the cutouts are, your swimwear can also look very artistic.

On the downside, you will almost certainly end up with seriously strange tan lines, so be careful not to spend too much time baking in Factor 25.

High Waist Retro Bikinis

High waist retro styles are immensely flattering, particularly if you have a curvier figure. High waist bikini bottoms flatter a pear-shaped figure with a narrow waist, which is why they were popular with stars of the silver screen in a bygone age. Look for designs that sit just under the belly button, as these flatter a fuller figure better. In addition, if you want to draw the eye away from your lower half, choose a bikini with plain bottoms and a decorative top.

Fringed Swimwear

Fringed swimwear was huge in the 70s, but it made a comeback in 2015. Today it is not quite as popular, but there are still plenty of fringed swimwear designs around. Fringe detailing can look very cute if it is not overdone. A good example of how well a bandeau bikini can work is if you have a simple design with fringe detailing hanging from the top. This adds interest to what otherwise might be a rather plain design.

Plunging Neckline Swimwear

Plunging necklines are nothing new, but they continue to feature heavily in couture swimwear ranges and if you buy the right garment, your swimsuit can even double up as eveningwear (with a stylish pair of pants or a slim line skirt, of course).

Stay away from plunging necklines if you are very well endowed in the chest department, as you will not have the support you need. However, this style looks fabulous on tall, waif like figures, particularly if you go for a high cut one-piece.

High Neck Crop Top Bikinis

Flat-chested girls look super sexy in a high neck crop top bikini. This is a top sporty look for 2016, and with some interesting cut out detailing on the bikini bottoms, you will be bang on trend when you hit the beach. Halter neck styles really draw attention to the shoulders, so make sure yours are suitably sun-kissed before you don your crop top bikini this year.

Strapless Bandeau Swimwear

Bandeau bikinis are another good look for women with less on top. Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow favor this style of bikini, so if you buy one you are in good company. A bandeau bikini is perfect for petite figures too. Go for pale pastel colors or cute prints, or if you want a more retro look, high waist bikini bottoms.

Lace-up Swimwear

Lace-up swimwear has a touch of the bondage theme about it, with a definite dose of sex appeal thrown in for good measure. Plunge neck all-in-one swimsuits with a lace-up detail are hot this season, but if you want a really modern look, go for a lace up bikini with side cut out details.

Black is Back

Black never goes out of fashion and 2016 is no exception to the rule. If none of the other looks appeal, you cannot go wrong with a simple black swimsuit or bikini. However, black is particularly fetching when you team it with a cutout bondage or crochet design.

Pick and choose from the latest swimwear and flaunt your figure on the beach this summer. Just remember to apply plenty of sun cream or you will end up attracting attention for all the wrong reasons.