Hot ways to look cool this summer

Summertime has arrived and the “it” colour this season is yellow.

Flowing, feminine silhouettes will be gracing our beaches this summer.

As you may have noticed, beachwear is moving away from the “teeny tiny bikini” and women are opting for one-piece suits in bold colours such as plum, turquoise and mustard. These are usually emboldened with cheeky words or phrases.
Monokinis are also very trendy this season.

I am a huge fan of high-waisted bikinis as they provide you with comfort, hide problem areas and give you the confidence to flaunt your God-given assets.

I recently attended the launch of Beachcult’s new swimwear collection called Mystic Karoo in Bree Street in the CBD.
Founder Joanna Hedley said her collection was inspired by her travels to the Karoo and that her line is for the “beach queens, nomads, gypsetters and women who carry the ocean in their hearts”.

Gypsetter is a fusion of gypsy and jetsetter.

“The mysticism of the Karoo can be seen in the detailing of the prints which comprises moons and stars,” said Joanna.
She said she started her line in 2017 and completed an MBA in fashion business at the International Fashion Academy (IFA) in Paris and Shanghai.

Styling beachwear should be simple and Joanna advises women to pair their one-piece swimsuits with either a palazzo pants, kimono or sarong, for easy transition from the beach to a trendy eatery.

I have scoured retail, online and thrift stores in search of the latest beachwear trends and what I found was basically the same designs but at different prices.

You can purchase a decent bikini bottom and top for less than R200 but if you are opting for high-end beachwear it’s going to set you back close to R1 000.

I don’t believe in breaking the bank when it comes to fashion and I believe you can shop smart and still look like a million bucks.

After you have your beachwear sorted you also need to take measures to look after your skin under the scorching sun.
Summer is usually a time when we show more skin but this should not be at the expense of damaging it. So invest in a good summer hat. Straw boater and floppy hats are must-haves and I am really loving how lampshade hats frame my face.

I can’t stress enough the importance of investing in a good sun protection lotion with a SPF of at least 50.

For the first time this year, I also purchased an “after sun” aloe gel to soothe my skin should I get burnt.

I have also been steadily upgrading my make-up collection in anticipation of summer and I recently purchased a highlighting stick which gives my skin that luminous pop and can be used on the lips, eyes and face.

Another make-up must is a prep and set spray which doubles up as a primer and setting spray. I bought mine for R90 and it is must to ensure your make-up stays pristine throughout the day without melting, caking or fading.

Beauty with a conscience

As this whirlwind of a year draws to a close, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a press statement from international animal welfare charity Four Paws stating that fashion house Chanel would stop using fur, crocodile and other exotic skin in their work. They have since adopted the catchy motto: “No more Croco for Coco”.

A few months ago, Gucci became part of the international Fur Free Retailer programme, which has already been signed by 950 retailers worldwide.

The good news is that leading fashion brands and retailers have already joined the initiative, including H&M, Zara, Esprit and Armani.

Before I sign off for the year, I want to say that we all struggle with body issues and I know many of us have been body shamed.

So remember this: Every piece of you is a burst of beautiful.

I wish you all a safe and happy festive season and a fabulous 2019.

You can send your fashion tips to mika.williams@inl.co.za in the new year.