Give the one-piece a chance

DON'T get hot under the collar this summer.

Fashion

SUMMER has come too soon and I have a bit of a belly. Should I wear a swimsuit with a skirt?

Other people fear snakes, spiders or market researchers phoning during Downton Abbey but I have a phobia of one-piece swimsuits with a modesty skirt. During childhood summer holidays on the Mornington Peninsula I suffered overexposure to stout women who had decided the best method for disguising a thickening waist on the beach was with metres of ruffled fabric, generally in a floral pattern that defied nature.
Skirted swimsuits are a cry for help that should be met with love, understanding and tailoring scissors. My childhood style saviours were the women, of all shapes and sizes, who ventured beyond the sandbanks for a decent swim in sleek, black or navy, one-piece suits without ruffles. These women were smart enough to know that a darker colour in a flattering cut will disguise any well-earned lumps and bumps more effectively than a skirt. Many contemporary styles also employ darker panels on the outside of the swimsuit with cheerful neon colours, in the same manner as Stella McCartney's Illusion Dress, to create the impression of an hourglass silhouette. Don't hide behind a skirt. Keep it simple in a practical style that offers support during a blistering backstroke and people will notice you having fun instead of your stomach.

My boyfriend wears his polo shirts with the collars up. How can I stop this without hurting his feelings?
Strike at the heart of the problem by hiding all of the fashion magazines from the'90s, where your boyfriend is getting his fashion advice. The next time you see him with his collar popped, throw your arms around him and gently fold the collar down. If he fails to take a hint, get a stapler and go to work on his collection of Lacoste and Ralph Lauren collars. A bruised ego is a small price to pay for improving your arm candy.

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ABOVE LEFT: Henri Lloyd knit, $169, pant, $149, belt, $59; Windsor Smith shoes, $120; Oroton bag $695; Paul Smith sunglasses, $415. CENTRE: Tommy Hilfiger polo shirt, $100, knit, $160; Trenery short, $90; Nautica bag, $220; Converse sneakers, $90. RIGHT: Orlebar Brown T-shirt, $110; Nautica knit vest, $100, short, $90; Lacoste knit, $279, Converse sneakers, $90

STOCKISTS
Becker Minty beckerminty.com; Converse converse.net.au; Henri Lloyd 02 9410 1010; Lacoste 02 8306 3376; Marcs marcs.com.au; Nautica 02 8306 3333; Orlebar Brown orlebarbrown.com.au; Oroton 1800 061 047; Paul Smith 03 8598 3105; Tommy Hilfiger 03 8416 8600; Trenery trenery.com.au; Windsor Smith windsorsmith.com.au