Elizabeth Gregory wears a tropical-print Jantzen two-piece tank suit (style no. S2045, $74) and matching skirt with drawstring waistband (style no. S2049, $58) at Thurmond Lake's Lake Springs recreation area. Jennifer Bruno/Staff

Just add water

Web posted May 21, 2000

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 View the Picture Gallery
 About our models
 Buyer's guide

By Elizabeth Kemple Adams
Features Editor

Hot swimsuit styles for summer 2000 include tankinis and bikinis, and believe it or not, shorts and skirts.

TANKINIS:

The two-piece suits that were all the rage last year are still popular. Bikini bottoms or fuller cut briefs are paired with tops that cover the chest and stomach. Camisole-style tankini tops with spaghetti straps are the most common. But other styles mimic halter tops, with a single strap wrapping behind the neck. Women looking for more coverage will like V-neck tankini tops that resemble sleeveless T-shirts.

BIKINIS: If you have the body to pull it off, bikinis are the way to go. String bikinis with tie-on tops and bottoms fill the racks. New this year is the bandeau-style bikini top that wraps around the chest like a tube top. As if the tiny suits themselves weren't enough to get your attention, most bikinis come in bright colors, floral and tie-dye patterns and even metallic fabrics.

View the Swimwear 2000 Picture Gallery

SHORTS:

Boy shorts are still a popular style for bathing suit bottoms. Boy shorts rise higher on the tummy and extend to the top of the thigh. You'll find them paired with both bikini and tankini tops. A less clingy alternative are board shorts. Like surfer shorts for girls, these loose bottoms are often sold as coordinating cover-ups. But some girls are swimming in them.

SKIRTS:

More manufacturers are selling matching skirts and other cover-ups this year (finally realizing that most women wear something OVER their itsy bitsy suits as they walk to and from the water). You'll find lots of short, playful pull-on skirts. Made from the same material as the suit, they're perfect for swimming. Other skirts are lightweight sarongs that you tie on. Ranging in length from midthigh to ankle grazers, these tropical-style skirts are perfect for casual parties or long walks on the beach as the sun sinks into the sea.

About our models

The Augusta Chronicle held auditions for models for this swimsuit section in April. No previous experience was necessary. We selected four women from the 13 candidates who volunteered.

ELIZABETH GREGORY is the volunteer coordinator for Golden Harvest Food Bank. She is a former Miss Georgia and Miss Hawaiian Tropic. She has extensive modeling experience and helped train our other models. She has a bachelor's degree in business administration management from the University of Georgia.

NATALIE McDANIEL, a graduate of Lakeside High School in Evans, is pursuing a career in modeling. This was her first modeling experience.

ALISON VARNER is a senior at Evans High School. She will attend Georgia Southern University in the fall to study broadcasting. This was her first experience modeling for print photography.

DANIELLE MAY just moved to Augusta from Atlanta with her husband, Tanner, and their 6-month-old son, Blake. Ms. May appeared in several TV commercials as a teen-ager and in modeling school fashion shows. She is training for fitness competitions like those seen on ESPN.

Buyer's guide

Here's where you can buy the swimwear by manufacturers in this section:

Liz Claiborne swimwear is available at Dillard's, Rich's and Macy's department stores. Styles and colors vary at each location.

Sirena swimwear is carried by Dillard's, Belk, Macy's and Rich's and other department stores. Phone: (800) 765-7675.

Ocean Pacific (Op) suits are available at J.C. Penney, Macy's, Rich's, Dillard's, Belk, Sports Authority and The Body Shop. Styles and colors vary by location.

Tommy Bahama swimwear is sold at Nieman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom department stores and at resorts, hotels, spas and pro shops. Phone: (800) 647-8688. Web site: tommybahama.com.

Kathy Ireland swimwear is available only at Kmart stores. Phone: (800) 866-0086. Web site: kmart.com.

T.J. Maxx is at 3412 Wrightsboro Road, 737-6507. Colors and styles may vary among T.J. Maxx stores nationwide. Phone: (800) 2TJ-MAXX (285-6299). Web site tjmaxx.com

The Body Shop is in Augusta Mall, 3450 Wrightsboro Road. Phone: 738-2808.

Old Navy is at 219 Robert C. Daniel Parkway in Augusta Exchange shopping center, 733-4350. Suits also can be ordered by phone - (800) OLD-NAVY (653-6289) - or from the online swim shop at www.oldnavy.com.

Reach Elizabeth Kemple Adams at (706) 823-3348 or eadams@augustacrhnicle.com.