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		ABOVE Swimsuits and cruisewear from the Charmline Collection by Maryan Mehlhorn. Available at Susan’s Fine Lingerie and Swimwear in Mississauga
	story Maureen Scott Shopping in winter for beachwear used to be like looking for snowpants in July, but not anymore. Today, retailers are stocking resort and cruisewear all year round. Susan Longley, owner of Susan’s Fine Lingerie & Swimwear in Mississauga recently expanded her store to add Susan’s Destinations. “We will carry a full supply of travel and resort wear year round, including swimwear from sizes 6 to 22, beach bags, cover ups and fashions.” One of the new lines you’ll find is Nanso from Finland. The Spring 2012 collection features nautical-inspired stripes, knots and braiding details. The black and white Kiito collection combines a trio-striped print in fine quality, almost-weightless blend of cotton ProModal. Easy slip-on dresses in tropical print combinations will take you from the Lido deck to a day excursion in Cozumel. “Comfort, comfort, comfort is the key to travel fashions,” says Susan. A must-pack item is the little black dress, and Susan offers a fresh take on this. “The black halter-top dress with the empire waist is made of swimwear fabric, but it could be worn to a wedding!” says Susan. “Crochet and lace are also huge in swimwear and resort fashions. We carry a crochet by Donna (Canadian designer) that can be worn on the beach or to the dining room.” If you really want to turn heads on the beach in a positive way, Susan suggests her three-part fashion statement—a swimsuit with a matching jacket and pareo. “Howida, one of our staff, was walking on the beach on Paradise Island in the Bahamas wearing a yellow and black swimsuit with a bit of bling, along with a matching pareo and jacket. People stopped her to ask where she bought it,” says Susan. The most sought-after look in swimwear is a strapless suit, according to Maria Salajiko, Owner of Coral Coast Custom Swimwear in Mississauga. “The strapless look was popular in the 90’s and it is very popular again now,” says Maria. “For women support issues, we can custom make a suit with a built-in bra called the Magic Top, and we’ll make detachable straps. This style looks great on women of any age.” With over 100 fabrics to choose from for a custom suit, Maria says her customers are drawn to animal prints, Hawaiian prints and earth tones. Anna Mattiuzzo, Public Relations spokesperson for Laura Canada and Melanie Lyne says this is the year to experiment with prints. “From splashy Hawaii prints to overblown florals and bright abstracts, prints are the key trend for the upcoming season,” says Anna. “However, classic black and white combinations, both in prints and solids, are important.”	Knots and braidings add a contemporary feel to marine elements in this casual dress from Nanso (Spring 2012 collection). Available at Susan’s Fine Lingerie and Swimwear and fine lingerie stores across Canada

Aniko Schindler, owner of Reflections by Aniko in Sherwood Forrest Village, says she takes early delivery on cruise wear to meet the needs of her “well-travelled, sophisticated, sporty and fashion conscious” customers. “Day to evening dressing has never been easier,” says Aniko, who specializes in quality European lines like Air Field, Luisa Cerano and Riani. “Take a simple dress, add a chunky statement necklace, a nice wrap or a sparkly jacket and a pair of 3 three inch high heels and you are ready for anything." "For a cruise or resort vacation, start with comfortable clothes you would wear to a spa, and since you want to look pulled together on the ship, add some classic tops and bottoms which mix and match." "For 10 days, pack 10 tops and 5 bottoms including 3 pairs of capris, a pair of coloured jeans,(in tangerine, lemon lime or red), a pair of trousers for evening, a simple dress, ballerina flats and a pair of metallic sandals." "The Hamptons look is very in. It’s that Lilly Pulitzer look with exciting, happy, fresh colours and prints,” says Aniko. Lynda Paylan, public relations manager for La Vie en Rose says along with a sexy black one piece swimsuit that could be worn as an evening top, some sexy lingerie and a versatile Modal maxi dress or skirt. “A multi-way modal skirt can be worn as a short dress by tying the sash at the waist in various ways,” says Lynda. “A sheer chiffon, loose-fitting blouse can also be worn as a cover-up or an evening top.” Another tip from the experts is to pack key pieces in the same colour scheme, such as the rich chocolate brown and luscious cream ensemble pieces from the Lauren by Ralph Lauren Collection, available at select Bay stores. Anyone who has ever taken a cruise knows that it can get quite cool and windy on the top deck, so be prepared in a classic Lauren by Ralph Lauren brown zip cardigan worn over a brown and cream striped, short- sleeve cotton turtleneck and matching cream pants.  GL LEFT Multi-coloured strapless dress. All items available at all Melanie Lyne stores BELOW LEFT Two-piece floral suit with tie strings and lace from Shan (an all-Canadian line from Montreal). www.shan.ca They won Designer of the Year Mode City 2011, Paris. Available at Susan’s Fine Lingerie and Swimwear in Mississauga BELOW RIGHT LBD (little black dress) from the Donna Resort collection. Available at Susan’s Fine Lingerie and Swimwear.