These Suits Aren’t for Swimming

To people outside the 305, Miami is a place where women lounge around in swimsuits and caftans all day, forever clutching mojitos and sporting oversize shades. If you’re reading this, it’s possible you’re not that girl. It’s also possible you are. Which is why Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week – Swim is quickly becoming the place to see which poolside fashions are hot and which are all wet — because they must perform in front of a crowd of folks who know their swimwear. This year’s runway shows will feature designers such as Poko Pano, Diesel, and Zimmermann flaunting their flowing and skimpy Lycra and mesh wares for a bevy of socialites, celebs, and fashionistas from all over. So what if you haven’t worn a two-piece in decades? You’ll see more monokinis than you think — everyone knows that more is less and less is better. Watch how the models pair floor-length robes with itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny yellow polka-dot bikinis at the Raleigh Hotel this Wednesday through July 19. Visit mbfashionweek.com for a full schedule of shows.

July 15-19, 7 p.m., 2009