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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 20, 1990)
New swimwear to flatter average bodies By Jennifer Johnson Staff Reporter At this time of year, swimwear can be a four-letter word for some and an excuse to show off a great body for others. If the swimwear industry can help it, shopping for swim wear will become less intimidating and more enjoyable in the ’90s. The focus now in the swimwear industry is accepting the fact that there are several different body types, many of which do not re semble a fashion model’s. Dillard’s Department Store is taking part in this new marketing strategy by offering the service of “Swimwear Specialists.' ’ Three women from the Gate way Dillard’s Department Store recently attended a one-day semi nar in Kansas City, Mo., to receive information from swimwear ven dors around the country. They learned how to display swimwear, what body types should wear what styles, and how to en courage customers to experiment when trying on swimwear. Dillard’s sales associate Diane Plummer said vendors encourage sales people to try on every bathing suit in their department to get a Butch Iretand/Daily Nebraskan French-cut, wet-suit bikini by Ocean Pacific. better understanding of how the suits fit so they can help the cus tomer from experience, not just speculation. “I try on an average of two racks of suits every night, and it has really helped me to help cus tomers because every suit fits a little bit differently,” Plummer said. Plummer also said hangtags on the swimsuits that show what the suit looks like when worn have been a big help. “Seeing the suit on another body first is often a greater incentive to try it on than just seeing the suit on a hanger. Many suits look awful on the hanger but really cute on,” Plummer said. The styles this year are varied, reflecting manufacturers’ efforts to meet many consumer needs. Some companies have dropped leg lengths because of complaints, while oth ers have introduced even higher cut legs. Both Dillard’s and Younkcrs Department Stores at Gateway Shopping Center carry about a 50 percent split between one- and two piece bathing suits. Salespeople at both stores said that most women try on an equal number of one- and two-piece suits. A popular style for bikinis this year is bandeau tops with high waisted bottoms. The high-cut bottoms that come to the belly button or true waist have been a big suc cess, several sales associates said. The fuller bottoms allow people with figures not quite fit for low hip bikini bottoms to wear a two piece suit. “Sturdier” lops also are in. About 50 percent of the two-piece suits at Younkcrs have tank-style tops this year. This style is good for large-busted women and those who prefer more support for swimming. One-piece suits arc available in many varieties. The “old standard” is the solid-colored tank suit, or tank suit with a nautical crest. High neck, maximum coverage suits made of sheer nylon as well as skimpy suits of luxury lame-like fabrics also are available; it’s all a matter of taste. Designers such as Bill Blass and Adrienne Vittadini offer matching coordinates to go with their swimwear such as coverups that mock the suit design and matching sarongs or skirts. “Many people don’t go for the whole set though, because by the time they’ve put out $65 for a swim suit, they won’t pay another $65 for a designer coverup,’’ Plummer said. In the junior departments at Younkcrs and Dillard’s, neon col ors are big this year. Many of the suits arc black with neon colors. Suits for this age group often haveamain bodily focal point such as the stomach, thighs or hips to accentuate firm, lit bodies. High fashion suits this season arc styles reminiscent of the '40s and ’50s. Halter-top suits arc in, as well as suit tops that show “the return of the wired bra.” The Post & Nickel currently is carrying Gottcx swimsuits in black and white solids in the underwire style. Also, Nouvellc Eve in Omaha’s Old Market is carrying a line of black suits by Li/.a Bruce that express the “40s look.” Younkcrs and Dillard’s do not have any of these styles yet, but their slock is only in the “cruise” phase, with more suits coming in later this season. The J. Crew catalog offers a wide selection of swimwear which includes these ’50s look and under wire suits. While it is a disadvan tage to not try a suit on before purchase, J. Crew docs allow swim suit returns. Most department stores don’t allow swimsuit returns, so catalog ordering may be a good alternative for those who would like to try on suits in the privacy of their own bedrooms. As often happens in men’s fash ions, there aren’t as many men s styles to chose from in swimwear. The look this year in swim trunks has gone back to the mid-thigh •ength. „ „ Leggoons at Gateway, a surfer store all the way, has even short ened their popular knee-length brightly colored swimsuits to mid thigh length. “A lot of people have stopped in looking for the longer knee length suits and were disappointed when they didn’t find them,” Kim Peak, assistant manager, said. Leggoons will be receiving some longer length suits within the next few weeks to meet the needs of their customers. The biggest fabric used in swimtrunks right now is Supplcx Nylon. Supplcx has a reputation for being as ‘‘strong as steel,” has a cottony-soft feel and is very 1 ight weight.It’salsoavailablcinanum ber of bright, neon colors that were not around last year. ‘‘Last year the basic neon col ors were available in swim trunks, but this year the color line has expanded -- including neon pink, purple, yellow, orange and blue,” Post & Nickel salesperson Chad Tolly said. Younkers is carrying a variety of men’s styles this year. They also are carrying bright, neon colors and report that vertical stripes arc big. Younkers carries the standard brands — Spccdo, I/.od, Gant, Polo — and “OP is making a comeback again,” sales associate Jim Chapck said. While less often is more in women’s swimsuits, the opposite is true for men’s high-fashion styles. One-piece lank suits and thick knit trunks with very short legs arc in on the men’s high-fashion front. It usually takes a very fit man to look good in these styles. Younk ers Department Store has some of the short, thick-knit trunks coming in later this season. fThe Phoenix Went To Chicago Just For YQUJ The Phoenix hair artists just re turned from the Midwest Hair Expo-and now more than ever, we are ready to dictate the trends of the 90's. # The hottest news is color natural color to add punch to the softer design cuts. # For a limited time we offer Sun Glitz hi-lights at a special price of $25.00. # Stop by and let us introduce you to the excitement of 90 s. Career fashions allow room for more color; bolder accessories By Jennifer O’Cilka Staff Reporter College students preparing for job inter views should consider not only the traditional dark blue interview suit, but also newer, more colorful styles. Deb Schrcibcr, sales supervisor at Carcn Charles, Gateway Shopping Center, said she thinks the myth of the navy-blue interview suit is dead. Schreiber said more people want color in their suits. Color portrays an image of confidence, boldness and a darc-to-bc different altitude, Schreiber said. These bright “confidence col ors” include bright purple, green, yellow and autumn-like rust and mustard. Also, she said people who arc even more daring may choose chartreuse. Schreiber said autumn colors arc popular in any season, but pastels limit the outfit to spring and summer. Color works best for people interviewing in creative fields, Schrcibcr said. Students inter viewing for conservative professions, espe cially those in business, usually stick with traditional suits, she said. Schreiber, who is a senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said students sometimes are too conservative when choosing interview suits. Also, Schrcibcr said, students need to com plete their outfit with scarves and jewelry. Students usually don’t make the mistake of overdoing accessories, she said. Many students buy suits of cricket linen, she said. Cricket linen is a rayon and flax mix, and is a linen-look material without the wrinkles and other hassles of linen. Also, she said, rayon and polyester blends arc popular because of their easy care and nice look. Caren Charles sells mix and match sepa rates. Schreibcr said jackets range from $68 $115 and skirls from $30-$60. A complete outfit, including a skirt, jacket, blouse and accessories, runs about $175, she said Sources from other stores say they still see the traditional approach as popular. Mary Spcthman, manager of the Tailored Woman, 220 N. 66th St., said her store deals with man-tailored suits in basic navy and char coal. She said she has seen conservative styles more than trendy ones. Spcthman said skin styles vary from pleats to straight skirls, but tailored men’s style jack ets remain popular. Spcthman said students must consider qual ity when buying an interview suit. They are expected to dress as well as the interviewer, she said. Spcthman said suits at her store range from $245-5485 with free alteration*.
