Craft some poolside glamour into your holiday wardrobe. Bright colors combined with jewels and bead embroidery on crochet, Lycra and silk are just perfect for lounging in the sun. Take inspiration from the catwalks to create this look from scratch or to update your old swimwear from last year.

Leading swimwear designer Gottex sent eye-poppingly bright Lycra creations down the catwalk in New York. Cut-away designs turned one-pieces into semi-bikinis, which were decorated with fantastic ‘showy’ corsages and bling embroidery. All accessorized with over-sized dark sunglasses, the swimwear collection was the height of poolside glamour.

At Emilio Pucci in Milan, there were glamorous cut-away one-pieces and cover-ups. Bright red, blue and yellow crocheted kaftans were fringed at the hem, while the white crochet one-piece was adorned with a bead halter-neck – jewellery and swimwear in one!

Back in New York, Diane von Furstenberg’s kaftan dresses floated down the catwalk, catching the light with beautiful bead-encrusted embroidery – perfect if you prefer to stay a little more covered!

Whether you go for crochet, beading, or simply attach an over-sized corsage, the key to getting this look is to keep it ultra-glamorous. The more bling the better. Add heels, big hair and make-up… cocktails optional!