Hot Child In the City: A Sizzling Swimwear Review

As much as we love the beach, we can still appreciate the undeniable sultriness of an August weekend spent in the city. To avoid overheating, drink plenty of liquids; keep exertion to a minimum; and, of course, wear as little as possible. Modern swimwear offers every option, from low-cut racers to swim shorts finished so nicely, you could walk around town in them. In other words, how much to bare is for you to decide.

Swim shorts by T Christopher. Sunglasses by Blinde. Sandals by DSquared. Beach blanket by Hermès. In this portfolio: Hair by Davide Marinelli at De Berardinis. Model: Bart G at Ford Models. Photographs by Noël Sutherland. Produced and styled by Mark Grischke for FA2L.

Low-rise Paradiso swimsuit by Kyle King. Rose-gold-and-turquoise necklace by TendenZa.

Multicolored Cabo swim trunks by 2(X)IST.  Stainless-steel watch by Omega.

Lavender-striped swim trunks with side pockets by Kyle King. Suede sandals by Hermès. 

Square-cut swimsuit by T Christopher. Leather-and-gold bracelet (worn on wrist) by H. Stern.

The Bikini–So Much Fashion and So Little Fabric

Perhaps you've noticed: FA2L is slightly obsessed with life at the beach. The combination of sun, sea and sand takes us back to Eden, hints at the deep mysteries of life's origins, feels as nourishing as the womb and injects a straight-to-the-bloodstream rush of sensual pleasure. (Plus, despite knowing better, we're suckers for a real tan.)

We also love swimsuits, and not just because we love the beach. The best swimwear is fashion distilled, and requires much more than cosmetic design–it needs to be engineered. Beautiful ball gowns may be odes to technique, but their folds usually hide endoskeletons (either built-in, or created with foundation garments) providing substance. Only a few couturiers–such as Vionnet, Chanel, Balenciaga and Karl Lagerfeld (depending on his mood)–have celebrated the ancient idea of letting a garment find shape on the naked female body. But that's precisely what swimwear designers accomplish.

Innovative fabrics are a starting point, but then the hard work really begins. Curves must be celebrated, yet supported; a balance has to be struck between modesty and daring; and most women, even supermodels, want to highlight assets and camouflage defects (real or imagined). All to be managed with a few scraps of material small enough to squash in one hand.

Some people balk at the high prices of well-made swimsuits–like those by Eres, above, shown to advantage on extraordinary Lara Stone–but they're usually worth the investment. Of course, like anything else you wear they require care: sunlight, salt water, lotion and chlorine take their toll. To extend a suit's life, take it into the shower with you and rinse it in a steady stream of cool water. Then hang it up or spread it out on a clean towel to dry (but keep it out of the sun, and away from heaters). Welcome to summer!

Baby, It's Cold Outside–Time to Buy a Swimsuit

It's February, which means fashion's topsy-turvy retailing machine is delivering swimwear to stores. Women usually learn, at an early age, how to shop ahead of season; but for some mysterious reason, most guys do not. This wasn't always the case: in the early 20th century, stylish men (including college-aged boys) visited their tailors punctually and relied on local haberdashers or popular mail-order catalogs for sportswear and accessories. These days, however, the average male is likely to wait until last-minute house party invitations drive him into a department store in late July–at which point the best swimsuits will be gone, replaced by row after row of cashmere topcoats.

Part of learning to speak fashion fluently is becoming aware of this cycle, and exploiting it to advantage. If you're a true fashion junkie who has to have the latest model, hit stores early in the season (and develop relationships with salespeople who will call when coveted items are in their hands). If you care more about price than design, you can get along nicely with brands that specialize in basics. And online shopping offers the full gamut, from pre-ordering just-off-the-runway must-haves to great end-of-season sales.

Of course, buying swimwear is tricky, for obvious reasons: it leaves us mostly unclothed. Finding flattering options drives some guys to despair, especially when confronted with buff models like Ellis, above. FA2L's advice? Extra pounds are less noticeable in something hip-slung: wearing elastic at your natural waist only draws attention to the flabbiness of a spare tire. And while American men typically avoid tight bikinis (usually with good reason), a certain type of square-cut trunk, the Brazilian sunga, shouldn't be ruled out. Kyle King's versions (the first three, above) have full seats and enough fabric to drape, rather than bind, across the hips. (King's online shop will be up and running in March.) If you prefer something less daring, please avoid baggy jams (ubiquitous on American beaches for years) and remember that even out-of-shape men often have surprisingly good legs. Channel your inner lifeguard in Miguel Antoinne's slightly retro shorts, above, which are polite but still sexy. Then watch the mercury rise.

1: Swimsuit by Kyle King. Leather & gold necklace (as bracelet) by H. Stern. 2: Swimsuit by Kyle King. Sandals by Hermès. 3: Swimsuit by Kyle King. Sandals by DSquared. Beach towel by Hermès. 4: Shorts by Miguel Antoinne. Sunglasses by Ray-Ban. Sandals by DSquared. Leather & gold necklace by H. Stern.

Photographs by Michael Stratton. Grooming by Lorenzo Martone/Link NYLA. Ellis McCreadie/Major Models. Styled by Mark Grischke. © Fashion As a 2nd Language.

Heaven is Another Name for a Day at the Beach

From Maui to Montauk, and Montego Bay to Mykonos, beaches everywhere are calling. Answer them. You don't need to take much: a few favorite swimsuits (ladies, try ERES, www.eres.fr, for smart, sexy suits that fit and flatter); a giant beach towel; lots of sunscreen (we like Clarins, www.clarins.com); and something chic for carrying it all.

Men's swimsuits are...tricky. It's really a question of whose body, which beach? Even Olympic swimmers may feel awkward sporting Lycra square-cuts in conservative Nantucket, but skimpy Speedos won't raise eyebrows in Rio. Traveling with two or three different styles is wise. And while plenty of designer labels offer options, we like how J. Crew has kicked its men's collections into high gear (including collaborations with iconic brands like Mackintosh and Ray-Ban). This nylon trunk is trimmer and shorter than typical board shorts, and the print is surprisingly sophisticated. www.jcrew.com.

Rainbow sandals are, in a word, perfect. They occupy a realm between cheap flip-flops and fine, strappy shoes (which look wonderful but are no match for sand and salt water). Opt for leather models with double-layer arches, then take time to break them in. The nylon straps will--ultimately--curl perfectly between your toes, but you'll be miserable if you buy them at a surf shop, pop them on and immediately hike the boardwalk. Given time, the thongs will soften, the soles will mold to your feet and your Rainbows will be so comfortable you'll want to wear them everywhere. www.rainbowsandals.com.

We splurge on beach towels--there's something sad about thin, ratty versions that aren't much bigger than washcloths. Missoni's terry blanket is 69" square, and glamorous enough to make Coney Island feel like Saint-Tropez. Fun fact: Missoni assigns a letter to each year (2009 is "K") and names its prints accordingly. This gorgeous model is known as Kirsten. www.missoni.com.

Tomas Maier is almost impossibly sophisticated, and so fluent in the language of luxury he seems to occupy a higher plane--from which vantage point he can either hone in on specific local craftsmanship or pull back to observe global trends. German by birth, Maier is creative director of the very Italian Bottega Veneta, as well as the designer of his own, U.S.-based line of deceptively simple swimsuits and sportswear. He's gathered items from both collections, plus special pieces from around the world (like this straw-and-Lurex Tunisian beach bag), and sells them out of three stores in Miami, Palm Beach and--opening this summer--Wainscott, New York. www.tomasmaier.com.