SPECIAL

It's in the details

Halle Berry was on to something when she emerged from the surf wearing a low-slug bikini ala Ursula Andress in Die Another Day, the 20th James Bond film.

Ms. Berry accessorized her coral two-piece with a diver's belt and knife sheath, and while weaponry may be a little overkill for a day at the beach, today's swimsuits are all about the details.

But before the swimsuit ever hits the racks, the detail work begins at the factory.

William Girrier, vice president of marketing and sales for RadiciSpandex, said the company's goal is to make swimsuits as impervious to sun, salt and scuffs as possible.

The Italian company produces a chlorine-resistant fiber that helps suits maintain their shape.

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"The spandex we make at this moment is certainly a lot different than it was even two years ago - it's constantly adapting to the needs of the marketplace," Mr. Girrier said. "Form and functionality is the combination of all the fibers coming together."

Mr. Girrier said today's generation of swimsuits have to put up with a lot of punishment from consumers and the elements.

"We had to consider chlorine resistance because of pool water, but we had to consider a couple of other things," he said. "These suits are probably going to see the pool water, but they're probably going to see a lot more sunlight. So fade-resistance is something we had to incorporate as well as body oil and suntan oil resistance.

"Every single centimeter of this stuff has to perform the same over washings and use or else the product gets baggy and the fabric starts to lose its performance."

Beyond the fabric, function is becoming a catchword for swimwear designers.

Lisa Pikul, swimwear designer for Liz Claiborne, said she's been working on styles designed to go from the beach to the street.

For the men, Speedo came up with a waterproof "Blocket", a detachable pocket to hold keys, wallets and watches. ANNETTE M. DROWLETTE/STAFF

"We've got swimsuits that come with shorts - not like baggy Bermuda shorts - but cute shorts that aren't as form-fitting as some of the other styles," Ms. Pikul said. "You can swim in them and then if you want to go out to lunch or to the store, you won't feel awkward about wearing them away from the beach."

That dual-purpose design is being seen more and more as stores stock up for the summer season.

"This whole concept was supposed to be swimsuit-to-streetwear, and I think that's how we're selling it as well," said Nancy Makarek-Baez, swimwear buyer for Rich's. "Designers have taken this halter body and girls could be wearing it out for clubbing, and they could also be wearing it for swimsuits."

Halter tops offer support and comfort, Ms. Makarek-Baez said, and the detail work adds the style.

"The hardware can be silver rings," she said. "It's turquoise, it's coral, it's crochet, it's macrame - any kind of hardware detailing."

These pieces are from the Mossimo (top) and Xhilaration lines, avalliable at Target. SPECIAL

Men's swimwear even gets a boost this year by way of Speedo, which has designed a detachable waterproof pocket to protect wallets, keys and watches.

The "Blocket," which uses two zip closures and a fold-over Velcro flap, is included on all of this year's men and boy's short-style swimsuits from Speedo.

New designs, fabrics and innovations are all well and good, but if consumers don't like the way a swimsuit looks when worn, all that hard work is for naught.

"It's all about fit," Ms. Makarek-Baez said. "They can go through the fixtures and find what they like, but if it doesn't fit them right and they don't feel comfortable, they're not going to buy it."

Ms. Pikul said the key to the perfect swimsuit is personality.

"Really, it's whatever makes the consumer feel their best."

Reach Erica C. Cline at 828-2946 or ecline@augustachronicle.com

--From the Sunday, May 4, 2003 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle