What's hot for the winter sun

It may seem perverse to have swimwear and beachwear on these pages in December — and apologies if all the bare flesh has brought on an acute case of goosebumps. But we are fast approaching that time of year when many less credit-crunched readers will be heading off to Eluthera, Eilat or the Indian Ocean for a spot of winter sun and will be anxious to know where they can top up their stock of bikinis, one-pieces and poolside cover-ups.

The hottest trend in swimwear — and one which has trickled through from daywear — is draping and body-con. Norma Kamali’s draped, one-shoulder one-piece in nude is possibly the most on-trend and desirable swimsuit in the fashion universe, provided you have the body, the cool and the cash (it costs £340 from Browns). For the rest of us, while trends play an important role in swimwear, the reality is that the secret of looking fabulous in a one-piece or a bikini lies in choosing a shape that works for your body.

The 1980s percolate through to beachwear in bandeau tops (great for the small busted), which are a strong look in the current and 2010 collections; as is a 1950s sensibility, with sweetheart necklines and halters, like a Norma Kamali neckline mesh suit in black or black-on-flesh, also at Browns, and a black-and-white fine stripe at Monsoon. If you like your swimwear bold and colourful, look out for LA-based Trina Turk’s psychedelic floral and dotty one- and two-pieces at Fenwick.

In cover-ups, the kaftan has joined the sarong and the pareo in the pantheon of poolside classics. Much hotter is the statement beach dress, the glossy little number essential for slipping on for lunch at Sandy Lane or Le Bar Plage at Mauritius’s Royal Palm. Look out for Rigby & Peller’s drop-dead simple, maxi strapless dress, or the strappy maxi dresses with ruffles by Mya Blue at Pretty Things (Cockfosters and Buckhurst Hill). Marks & Spencer also has a clever, two-way flared cover-up, which can be worn as a strapless dress or a long skirt.