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Students anticipate it all year long -- a week of bliss, relaxation and pleasure. Whatever the destination might be, spring break is a time when college students across the country let loose and leave their textbooks behind.\nBefore students head off on Spring Break, many will purchase new outfits to wear, make lists of what to pack or study local attractions. And many view a new swimsuit as a requirement.\nToday's swimsuits are more than a functional cover-up to be worn in the pool. Angela Davenport, Missy's swimwear buyer for Von Maur department stores, said the swimsuit today is becoming even more of a fashion statement and an integral part of women's vacation wear.\n"When a woman is at a resort, she wears a suit all week long," Davenport said. "If she owns a pool, it's her summer wardrobe. She wants a different look every day. It's an outfit now, where in the past it was functional."\nLisa Cheney, part owner and manager of Beach Baby Swim & Surf in Indianapolis, said swimwear has changed drastically from the 1980s to now.\n"During the '80s and '90s, suits came way over the hip bone and scooped way down in the front," she said. "The tops on two pieces used to be the bra style with the super push up. The halter top and the low rise bottom are what's in style now. They are more attractive and have a better fit."\nOne of the more recent changes in swimwear has been the integration of the tankini, a suit that combines the one-piece with the two-piece, baring just a bit of the midriff. Tank top style suits were more popular when tankinis first became fashionable; however, the halterkini is more in fashion now. The neck is more plunging and has a sexier but still covered look.\nWhen college-age women look for the perfect spring break suit, many agree that style overrides function. This spring break, junior Laura Kruse, who will be traveling to Acapulco, Mexico, said she'll buy a new suit if she can find one that's cute and preferably on sale.\n"I'll buy a suit every year because I'll wear them out from swimming, and the new ones fit better," Kruse said. "I look for colors that aren't too loud, cute patterns, a good fit and something that's different."\nA growing trend in swimwear has been embellishments. This season will bring even more rings, beads, buckles, belts, shells and sequins to add flair to tops and bottoms. Higher-end swimwear companies like Huit, Gottex, Vix and Aqua Clara produce their merchandise everywhere from Israel to Brazil and are known for their striking embellishments. Brands such as Bebe, Lucky, Rampage and Becca are also starting to add detail and accents to their designs. Along with appliqués being popular, skirts are this season's No. 1 trend.\n"It's not your typical grandma skirt," Davenport said. "For the older women they're longer. For the younger shoppers they're little ones you can pull on, or short ones attached to the suit. It's getting pretty feminine."\nLeanne Crowell, owner of Ooh La La, a boutique in Grand Haven, Mich., said she agrees that skirts on suits offer a young, flirty look.\n"The new trend of sewing skirts on bottoms for both younger and older shoppers accentuates a positive part of a woman," Crowell said. \nAlthough the evolution of swimwear has proven suits have gotten skimpier, Crowell said she believes it is a result of women being more confident with their bodies.\nCheney said she knows there are different tricks one can follow when trying to find the best fitting suit. For instance, if a woman has larger thighs, a suit higher on the leg will lengthen the leg and slim it down. The new trendy skirts are also a cover up option. V-necks are flattering and can give a little shape. For a smaller bust, prints on the top and solids on the bottom are most flattering. To hide a tummy, try vertical stripes or control fabrics.\n"Always try on a size or two bigger than what you normally wear when trying on a suit," Cheney said. "Don't go in trying on a size four suit if you wear a size four in jeans."\nColor is also an important aspect in looking at swimwear trends. This year, a touch of the '80s is coming back with neon. Lime green, hot pink and bright orange are big for the 2005 season. Brown combined with blue and shades of green are replacing last year's cotton candy pink and ocean blue. Last year was all about polka dots, whereas this year suits are decorated with variations of dots and swirls.\n"When it comes to buying suits, girls are drawn to the detail, the quality, the colors, the fabrics," said Christine Baker, junior buyer for Von Maur. "There is more to (the suits) now. Fashion will draw the girl to these suits.\n"Whether women are going on vacations or spending a summer at the beach, they want something new," she said. "Now (swimsuits) are just like outfits, even if you wear the suit only a few times a year, the trends change just like clothing."\n-- Contact staff writer Mara Lazdins at malazdin@indiana.edu