Fashion Me Fabulous

Remember how I was ranting about " nude " being used as a substitute for beige? Mod Cloth is not marketing this bathing suit as nude, but it should come with a warning: Midtone skin may appear naked on beach. If your skin tone ranges from Jennifer Lopez to Lupita Nyong'o, you could pull this off. In fact, Lupita is the only celebrity I could imagine making this work. She could even make that silly cutout look like a cute design detail. Cate Blanchett has a history of making things work, but her skin is so pale, from a distance it would look like she has a reverse suntan. (So says the woman who is so pale that a tinted moisturizer looks like blemishes.) But if you're in between Cate Blanchett and Jennifer Lopez (then you're life is more fabulous than mine), let's say you're Jennifer Lawrence (see, sooooo much more fabulous), wearing this swimsuit is going to look like you are running around on the beach in a giant boob bow. Of course, if your goal is to ...

This year's round up of retro swimsuits is heavy on nautical. That seems to be an even bigger swim trend than straps that will give you weird tan lines. If you're not into buttons, stripes, and red, white and blue, buying a swimsuit may be a little more difficult for you this year. I did my best to include other colors, but there was no hope for yellow or orange. If you love nautical (like me), please note that nearly all the suits below are also available in a more nautical version. copper "old Hollywood" swimsuit, Pin Up Girl $120 blue nautical swimdress, Shabby Apple $64 pink gingham swimdress, Juicy Couture on Amazon $104 polka dot button bikini, Amazon $10 (Yes, $10. This suit is all over Amazon in a variety of colors and always crazy-cheap.) navy polka dot skirted swimsuit, Betsey Johnson at Mod Cloth $126 striped bikini, Esther Williams on Amazon $77 emerald ruched swimsuit, Esther Williams on Amazon $75 lavender polka dots, Esther Williams at Mod...

We loooove retro swimsuits at Fashion Me Fabulous. Unfortunately, because they involve more material and a good deal of undergarment support, retro suits most of the time ring in over $80. While it doesn't contain underwire and a fabric tummy tuck, this cute little one-piece from Target has plenty of retro charm for only $25. It's available in black, but I'm having a hard time choosing between red and navy.

Shop: Eynat Klipper Why We Love It: I'm not sure who decided to start making swimsuits that offered considerably less support and coverage than a demi bra and bikini panties, but their idea clearly took off. The stores are full of flimsy, poorly made suits. Eynat Klipper suits come from a blissful alternate reality where swim tops have underwires, suits have a retro vibe yet still feel modern, and swimsuit shopping probably doesn't end in frustration and wearing last year's threadbare suit to the beach.  Price Range: $44 - $155 Favorite Items: Pictured: Underwire Tankini Set $155 / High Waisted Bottom $49 / Underwire Bikini $99 (pictured above)

This swimsuit -- like this one -- is for surfers, which is why it has sleeves. That is not the issue. The issues is that the "sandy" paisley against the black and white stripes is crazy fugly. Were there no other fabrics? Could they not mix stripes or add polka dots? Paisley wouldn't even be bad if it were, say, white and blue. The cardinal rule of print mixing is that the opposing prints need to share colors to create cohesion. This looks like someone thought her strapless one-piece was too daring so she decided to layer with the shirt she wore yesterday.

Like many pear-shaped women, I don't feel that the popular string bikini design really offers adequate coverage for the junk in my trunk. A few years ago, I invested in a retro designed skirted swimsuit. Voila! Covered. Even the designs that are only a skirt in the front are just cut better for a fuller bottom. Below are a few skirted swimsuit designs currently on the market. Most of them are retro flavored. If you are concerned about not having a perfect beach body, the ruched ones are worth every penny. Trust. Top: ruched "Marilyn" swimsuit, Pin-Up Girl $102 * yellow and stripes swimsuit, Mod Cloth $112 1920s style swim top and skirt, Shabby Apple tops $55 & bottom $30 blue halter color block swimsuit, Assets at Target $50 Bottom: green pleat bust "Bombshell" swimsuit, Pin-Up Girl $88 * strapless ruched swisuit, Profile by Gottex at Nordstrom $138 black collared halter, Lucy B $89 red polka dot skirted bikini, Mod Cloth $90 ** stripes and coral ...

Fashion Me Fabulous presents A Conversation With Myself . "Gameboy swimsuit?! My little nerd heart is going pitter patter!" "Remember when you used to play your Gameboy so much that grounding you involved simply taking the game away?" "Yes! And Dad was so worried about me playing it on late night car rides that he got a clip-on light and magnifier for it. It was so old it didn't even have a backlight! This swimsuit brings back happy memories." "Too bad the fit is terrible. You have to be hyper-fit or 19 in order to pull this off." "But, Gameboy!" "It doesn't even say Gameboy. It's sporting the name of the store -- Black Milk . That's a very minor problem though when you can safely assume that pervs and drunks will come up to you on the beach and try to touch your buttons. The start button is in a particularly risky spot." "Why won't you let me have nice things?" "Because I c...

We have a long tradition of posting retro swimsuits. We love the vintage looks (and extra coverage) many of the suits offer. If you're a love of the one-piece like I am, the retro look is the best way to cover a little more while still looking sexy. Plus, many of the retro suits are far cuter than the typical triangle bikinis sold in stores. Click through our gallery of 2012 retro suits below. <p><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/collection.embed?.embedder=1224830&.svc=copypaste&id=1663960&include_gallery=1&num_items=1&render_type=slideshow">View this collection on Polyvore</a></p> Retro Swimsuits 2012 by fashionbeccafabulous on polyvore.com Pictured: Red and White Polka Dot Suit, Lolita Girl Clothing, $112 Baby Blue Ruffle Two Piece,...

Crawling through the racks of suits at Target, jcpenny, Kohl's and such (I need a cheap suit for swimming laps), it seems like they all mostly carry the same suit: two triangles that turn into straps tied behind the neck and a pair of bikini bottoms. Sure, they have tankinis and a few one-pieces, but they mostly sell some variation of that suit and call it a halter, bikini, triangle or whatever. There are more of these suits than all the other styles combined. And I find that a little odd. Sure, some women look great in these suits. And its seems to be the most popular choice so people must really like them. But I've never fit into them. Even as a thinner teen who played sports, the suits didn't sit right or offer enough support. Plus, I love to actually swim, which would kill any of these suits right away. Maybe they are only popular for those who enjoy laying out. (Although I still prefer the Ester Williams look for all my swimwear needs). Every time I'm in a swimsui...

School is coming. Dun-da-dun! If you haven't been to the beach yet, now's the time to go. If, like me, you haven't thought of the beach all season, you may need to go shopping first. Thankfully, Target has some great mix and match pieces in flattering jewel tones. $150 Challenge: Beach Ready by Fashion Me Fabulous featuring cuff bracelets mix & match halter swim top, Target $18 mix & match hipster bottom, Target $18 coverup,Victoria s Secret $43 flip flops, Target $13 straw tote bag, ebags $34 bangle bracelet, Forever 21 $6.80 cuff bracelet, Forever 21 $4.80 round sunglasses, Forever 21 $5.80

No matter your personal style or body type, there is a vintage-inspired swimsuit out there for you! Whether you're looking for a sweet ruffle, a modest but fully sexy silhouette, a playful print, or the whole package, these fabulous suits will have you ready for the beach in pin-up style. The best news? Everyone from Target to boutique and specialty shops are in on this flattering trend. There's one for every budget! top row: white retro cherry print bikini, for luna, $53.21 top/$45.09 bottom pinup couture "betty", pin up girl clothing, $78 jantzen "pretty pin-dot", dillards, $54 navy romper ruffle swimsuit, unique vintage, $81 bottom row: merona shirred bandeau, target, $22 bathing beauty one-piece, mod cloth, $89.99 lomellina retro tank, j.crew, $128 catalina shirred halter swimsuit, walmart, $32

If you're one of our Facebook fans, you'll know that I recently purchased a retro swimsuit . It's the ruffled one-piece from Jantzen, whose Summer 2009 collection is all retro. It has an underwire, removable padding, and an aborable rouched skirt that gives me the illusion of a flat stomache. Jantzen is sold at Dillard's and Macy's as well as the online store Beach Bliss , and most of their suits are over $100. Why am I bothering to tell you about expensive suits that are nearly sold out? Because I got this lovely at TJ Maxx for $25. You're welcome and happy hunting.

I'm thinking vacationy thoughts, and with becca's discussion on the exorbitant prices on cover-ups I have no choice but to put to put together a pool-side look. Now if I just had a pool. The earrings are the priciest item contributing to the $137.97 total. $150 Challenge: Beach Chic by Fashion Me Fabulous featuring Old Navy green floral bikini top, Old Navy $10 green hipster bikini bottoms, Old Navy $7.99 yellow sundress, Forever 21 $9.50 turquoise stone thong sandals, Target $19.99 green print tote, Target $10 madras ribbon hat, Bluefly $29.99 teal sunglasses, Delia's $12.50 hoop earrings, Lauren by Ralph Lauren at Nordstrom $38

Welcome to the new FMF weekly reader poll. We're hoping to get to know a little more about you, our beloved readers, and have a little fun with fashion questions. Last week , we wondered if you were a bronze beauty or a guardian of your natural skin color. This week, we wonder what you wear when on the beach or at the pool. poll by twiigs.com

If you have been reading Fashion Me Fabulous for a while, you know that we firmly dismiss bathing suit trends and stick by our love of vintage-inspired swim wear . Hayden-Harnett currently has two retro look suits in stock. The first is this fabulous high-waisted ruffle bikini . It's $88 for the top and $98 for the bottom (eep!). It makes me think of the pinups painted on bombers, but I'm not sure that without a flat stomach can pull it off. This one-piece is also adorable with its perfume and jewelry print. I won't even post the price though. Yikes!

I'm a full-coverage girl , but if I were to buy a two-piece swimsuit, I'd be tempted by this retro inspired number by Betsey Johnson . The sunny yellow is all beaches and lemonade, and the black trim gives it a sharp, chic feel. The ruffles and flowers are uber girly while the cut of the bottoms has a retro sex appeal. The only downside? Macy's is charging a crazy $228 for the whole thing!

Neither becca nor I are bikini girls. That much paleness does not need to greet the sun. Since we both love vintage styles, we've been looking for great 1950s inspired swimsuits. The one-piece bathing suits keep everything under wraps, and the two-pieces are far more flattering than the wisps of fabric available in most stores. I did a big post about retro beach wear last year, and while many of those suits are still available, I thought I'd see what this year's stock has to offer. Top: navy nautical suit, "Betty" by Pin-Up Couture on Pin Up Girl Clothing $69 metallic pink halter suit, Lolita Girl Clothing at Baby Girl Boutique $96 red swimdress, What Katie Did $73.47 Bottom: peppermint stripe halter and boy shorts, Gloria Cardinal on Etsy $85 sailor suit, Mod Cloth $124.99 custom blue bikini, Miss Brache on Etsy $115 red retro bikini, My Baby Jo $73 cherry print one-piece, My Baby Jo $72 This suit is available in other colors and prints as well as custom sizes ...

I can't help but read the designer of this swimsuit, Fisico, as Fiasco. As a realtively modest bikini, I like it. I even like the brown and blue striped pattern. I do not like having beaded tendrils caging my torso. I can just see me freaking out in the water thinking something is swimming over my stomach. Making this even more horrific is the original price of $388. For the curious, this fiasco monokini has been marked down to $118 at Yoox.

One the one hand, I appreciate that I walked around the fair this year and didn't see a single teeny bikini top substituting as a shirt thanks to the cut-out trend. These suits certainly offer sex appeal with a bit more security. On the other hand, all I can think when I see one is "Horrible tan lines!" But when have sex appeal and logic really gone together? What do you think of the monokini swimwear trend? yellow monokini, Victoria's Secret $25.99

I bought a swimsuit at the end of last summer and didn't get to use it until this weekend. Not only is it a little too sheer when wet, it's a little too, um, loose in the water. Rather than let the waiting disaster happen, I'm shopping around. (I wasn't crazy about the silly hibiscus print anyway.) Those suits becca found on Etsy are my first option, but here are some other nice suits I found marked 40% off or more. (Sorry to all you bikini lovers. I just don't trust the itsy bitsy to contain all my hotness.) Top: black polka dot retro bikini, Victoria's Secret, balconet $29.99 & high-waisted bottoms $21.99 yellow ruffled skirted bikini, Urban Outfitters, top $14.99 & bottom $19.99 cranberry square neck, Calvin Klein, Saks Fifth Avenue $46.90 black and white floral one-piece, Merona, Target $17.49 mint with gold and pearl trim, Betsey Johnson "Zigfield", tankini $69.99 & skirted bottom $19.99 Bottom: navy rope trim bandeau, Anthropoloie ...