the itsy bitsy article

Writing about bikinis made me wish I had the courage to wear one. I resolve that next year, when I hit the beach again, I will wear one. Even if I don't have the washboard abs I'm dreaming of. My bikini article got me a lot of ribbing from my colleagues. Some girls felt the main photo of a girl wearing a bikini was well, um, too provocative. I don't know about that, but this bikini article proves that sex sells. Can you believe it was the second-most read article on our website? Next only to an analysis story about the North Korean missile crisis. Come to think of it, all the top 5 stories were about NK, except for the bikini story. I guess you could say bikinis do have an equally explosive appeal as a nuclear missile crisis.   The Skinny on Bikini Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Turns 60

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Loco Boutique’s bikini With temperatures rising, everyone is ready to hit the beaches and swimming pools to escape the stifling heat. For most young women today, there is no other swimsuit to wear to the beach but the bikini. It's hard to believe the ``itsy bitsy teeny-weeny'' bikini is celebrating its 60th birthday this month. French engineer Louis Reard and designer Jacques Heim invented the world's smallest swimsuit in Paris in 1946. They named the two-piece swimsuit after Bikini Atoll, the site of nuclear weapon tests in the Marshall Islands. It was an appropriate name, since the two Frenchmen rightly anticipated the bikini's debut would send shockwaves around the world. The bikini made its first appearance on the pages of a French fashion magazine on July 5, 1946. It took a while to catch on, but eventually French women started wearing the lingerie-like swimsuit to the beach. However, more conservative countries at that time banned the ``scandalous'' piece of swimwear. In the next few years, movies featuring bikini-clad actresses like Brigitte Bardot in ``And God Made Woman'' and Ursula Andres in the James Bond film ``Dr. No'' elevated the bikini as a sex symbol, as well as an icon of women's liberation. Bryan Hyland's infectious pop song ``Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini'' also helped the bikini gain mass appeal by the 1960s. An entire book devoted to the bikini has even been published in the U.S. this year. ``The Bikini Book,'' written by Kelly Kill Bensimon, details the bikini's history and evolution. Perfect Bikini Body While the pages of fashion magazines are filled with supermodels like Gisele Bundchen and Heidi Klum in sexy bikinis, fashion experts say the bikini can be worn by anyone with the right attitude. It often takes months of dieting, working out at the gym and slathering on bottles of body slimming lotion before one can feel confident enough to wear a bikini. However, the bikini is not just suited for curvaceous women, but also for those with slim, almost boyish figures. This makes the bikini a perfect choice for the slender bodies of most young Korean women. There are many bikini styles to fit different body types, but finding the right one may take some time and effort. Here's a quick guide: - The triangle or string bikini top features two pieces of triangle-shaped fabric held together by strings. It provides the sexiest look, but the least coverage. - The push-up top offers maximum cleavage enhancement. - The classic bikini top is similar to a regular brassiere. - The bandeau is a strapless top. - The halter-top ties at the neck and back. It has a sophisticated look and provides support. - The tankini looks like a tank top and covers the torso. It is most popular for those who want the sexiness of a two-piece swimsuit but the comfort of a one-piece suit. There are different bottoms to choose from, such as the string bottom, low-rise or hipster, boy short, hot short and the revealing Brazilian thong. It is important to ensure the swimsuit fits the body properly. The bikini, no matter how attractive, should not reveal side or under cleavage. Bikinis should always provide full coverage and support. The most important thing is comfort. If you're not comfortable wearing a bikini, then don't. There's nothing more unattractive than a woman who spends most of her time fidgeting and trying to cover up her body. Prints are In Every year, the summer season brings new swimsuit trends. Vogue magazine proclaimed the return of printed swimwear in its April issue. Prints can range from wildly colorful Pucci graphics to muted paisleys or preppy polka dots to tropical designs. Drop by major department stores like Lotte, Hyundai and Shinsegae, and you'll find many designs and styles to make your head spin. This summer, there is a sea of sweet florals, polka dots, geometric prints, slimming solids and nautical stripes to choose from. This season, Renoma has adopted a relaxed urban and American summer-inspired theme for its summer collection. Renoma general manager Kim Moon-sun said the brand has three different summer looks, namely, ``romantic'' for the beach carnival, ``tempered metro'' for a poolside party and ``crisp athletic'' for sports. Renoma swimsuits are designed in cheerful colors such as lemon yellow, coral red, pastel blue and deep red-purple. Arena also has several stylish bikinis in the flattering halter-style, such as a white floral top with a matching multi-colored striped bottom and a green-striped halter top and matching striped bottom. Luxury brand Chanel's signature look this season is a sexy black bikini with silver chain trimming. Bikinis on the Web. There are many Korean Web sites selling swimsuits such as www.swim.co.kr, www.russh.co.kr, www.thankyoubaby.co.kr, www.bbdboo.co.kr and www.adorable.co.kr. Aside from swimsuits, they also offer matching cover-ups, hats and other beach accessories. Looking at these Web sites, it is apparent the most popular bikini designs are the pastel-colored polka-dot bikinis, lightly embellished solid-colored bikinis and country-girl inspired gingham bikinis. At www.swim.co.kr, there are cheeky World-Cup inspired bikinis for die-hard football fans. Football printed bikinis. Those with flags of popular World Cup teams such as Brazil and England are selling quite well. There are also several international Web sites selling swimsuits who ship to South Korea for a minimal fee. American lingerie company Victoria's Secret's Web site (www.victoriassecret.com) has a wide selection of bikinis from its Miracle Bra Swimwear, Beach Sexy, Very Sexy and Body by Victoria collections. There is a range of push-up bikini tops and others. It also offers designer swimsuits from Calvin Klein, Juicy Couture, DKNY, Banana Moon, Becca Swim, Vix and Op. However, ordering a swimsuit online may be tricky, especially if you are unsure of your size. The Web site offers a size guide and allows return or exchange of items, if the swimsuit doesn't fit. Summer Must-Haves So, you've found the perfect bikini. You're all set to hit the sandy beaches of Busan, Hawaii, Guam, Phuket or Boracay. But the perfect summer outfit is not complete without this season's hottest accessories and make-up. You need to have a matching cover-up, fun jewelry, thong sandals, stylish eyewear, a bottle of sun block and of course, the right water proof make-up. For the cover-up, you can choose among a multi-purpose cotton sarong, a sheer pareo (wrap-around skirt) or short lap skirt to match the bikini. Step on the beach in style with this season's sexy thong sandals, which are decked out in rhinestones and studs. Thong sandals lend a more sophisticated look, as opposed to comfortable rubber flip-flops. To shield your eyes from the harsh glare of the sun, this season's must-have is the aviator sunglasses. Huge frames help make one look like a movie star on vacation. This explains why versions by Celine, Armani and Escada are selling like hotcakes at the top department stores. If you need more accessories, there are also lots of ethnic necklaces, big colorful beads, delicate dangling earrings and thick bangles to accent your perfect beachside outfit. Even on the beach, make-up is essential. The bronzed goddess look may be "in'' but make sure the make-up is waterproof or you may look like a drowned rat. For the summer, MAC Cosmetics unveiled a collection of colors which it says reflect the mood of ``luxurious relaxation.'' MAC Sundressing features muted yellows, corals, light blues and milky pearl colors, with products such as Lip Glass' Saplicious, a tangerine-taupe pearly gloss, Belightful, a peach bronze and Dazzlelight neutral eye shadow with silver copper reflects. And of course, don't forget a bottle of heavy-duty sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun's harsh rays. Now, you can say, you're ready to hit the beach.