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	Photo by Mercedes Gunter
	PVCC student Natasha Savage rests in a spaghetti strap, one-piece by Oscar De La Renta, $92 and a wrap to match, $29. In Sophia Idowu's version of "The Thinker," she sports a gleaming turquoise triangle top and tie bottoms by XOXO, $44 per piece and a turquoise wrap with floral border by Guliheim, $49. Serra Brazeal completes the bouquet with a plum colored, one piece with matching tie-front floral print, beach pants, by La Blanca: suit, $88; pants, $73.
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Would you like two pieces or one? No, we're not talking about an order of chicken. We're talking about bathing suits.

The sun's shining, the temperature's rising, and it is every woman's favorite time of yearß swimsuit season. Every year, it is always the same. The tedious task of choosing which swimsuit looks most flattering or whether you should go for a daring two-piece or a modest one may prove to be more dramatic than your love life. Everything But Water, a swimsuit store in Paradise Valley Mall, offers a variety of options to the woman hoping to find that perfect suit.

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	Photo by Mercedes Gunter
	Brazeal and Savage prove that "these colors don't run" in this tribute to the American spirit. Brazeal stands proud in a La Blanca white one-piece at $88 and USA flag wrap by Prarero at $39. Savage shows her patriotic spirit in a stunning V8 red two-piece with tie bottoms by Becca: $44 per piece.
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With 200 vendors supplying their stores, sizes at Everything But Water range from junior's extra-small to women's 24, including maternity and bra sizes up to an F-cup.

As to what style is in this season, Michelle Ross, Everything But Water store manager at PV Mall, says that what's in is "anything hot, like neon colors or suits with sparkles."

Unlike last season, animal prints are out this year, according to Ross.

Thanks to a resurgence in 80s fashions, halter-tops are once again very popular, along with tankini sets, underwire bras and triangular tops.

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	Photo by Mercedes Gunter
	Idowu lounges in a festive, floral two-piece by Girl Star. The "Ivy League"' style has a molded triangle top and a skirted bottom. Pieces are sold separately to match sizes, $39 per piece.
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Another style that is making a fashion comeback is bottoms with skirts attached.

"It's very retro," says Ross. But unlike the styles of the 60s, these skirted bottoms are not frilly and attached at the waist. The style this year has the bottoms looking like mini-skirts with subtle shorts underneath for a sleek and sexy look.

Most bottoms this season are low rise and rest on the hips, just below the belly button. Bottoms are available in various styles with sides that tie, hook or snap.

Tan-through swimsuits are in this year. This beachwear is actually see-through, but its fibers are woven in a design that tricks the eye and leaves its owner with a golden tan, minus those pesky tan lines. Everything But Water's top selling line this year is Bebe Separates. These two-piece designs come in various colors and styles. While black and white are standard in classic design, Bebe spins a copper color into one of their designs called Casino Royal. A shiny buckle rests on the waist, giving it an uber-vamp look.

Everything But Water has peripherals to complete a swimsuit wardrobe. In addition to the expected sandals and sunglasses, the store offers extra swimwear accessories, including wraps, sheer tops, and even cargo pants that can be worn on the beach, lake or around the pool.

The perfect suit is in the bag...now for bagging the perfect beach hottie.

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	Photo by Mercedes Gunter
	PVCC students Idowu and Savage prepare to take on the bad guys with one of this season's most popular suits: Casino Royale by Bebe invokes the magic of the "Bond vixen" with its belted, low-rise bottoms and sleek buckle, along with a bra halter, both in linear patterns: $49 per piece.
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Last updated: May 8, 2002
Paradise Valley Community College- URL-http://www.pvc.maricopa.edu
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