Most of us believe that the one-piece swimsuit is passe. A visit to any Hawaiian beach will tell you that it's no longer quite hip to wear a one-piece swimsuit -- not because the style has become every bit boring but because it offers less convenience to the women wearing it. Imagine wearing a one-piece suit and wanting to take a pee. Obviously, in situations like this, you'd have to take off your entire swim wear before you can do 'number one.' In most ways, it resembles jumper suits that are now rarely seen worn by anyone.



The era of the one-piece swimsuit has been eclipsed by the tankini. The tankini, for those who haven't seen a beach in his entire life, is a two-piece bikini with a tank top and a bikini bottom ensemble. For most ladies, the tankini is the perfect solution to the inconvenience of wearing one-piece swimsuits. These days, the tankini has become the epitome of the I-want-to-wear-a-bikini-but-I-don't-want-to-show-off-everything female attitude. It sounds bizaare, since there isn't much difference and the only thing you're really hiding is the area underneath your breasts or your navel. But the women have spoken out: The tankini is the ultimate bikini for the modest but still very sexy women.

Since we're talking tankinis, I've just made the latest foray to the online stores and came up with a handsome collection of my own stylish tankinis. I ranked them according to my favorites as well as by the random recommendation of my nosy friends. Victoria's Secret has finally eased up on the tankini prices and is now selling them at 60% off. I've ranked the Very Sexy Push-up tankini from the "Beach Sexy" Collection as my number one choice (and most of my friends') for the simple reason that it looks so sexy -- period! We're wearing bikinis and tankinis that flatter our shapes and skin color. The Push-up tankini from Victoria's Secret is perfect for this job. Most shirred tankinis help make the bosom look more shapely and the push-up top that is laced around the neck makes it look like a very provocative halter top but slimmer on the edge. The deep coral prints make the whole piece altogether inviting.

My second choice from Victoria's Secret tankini collection is the "Beach Sexy" Mesh cover-up tank. Sure, those who like to show off their pretty fannies won't go for this look, but the plumper ladies who wish to hide their flabs will find wearing this item extremely rewarding. It even passes for a punk-summer look. The silhoutte denotes sexiness while the ruffles are fun to look at. The Miracle Bra Swimwear, featuring the Crochet push-up tankini, is sexy tankini as its simplest form. The straps are adjustable and it's made of imported nylon or spandex. The crocheted appearance makes you think that it has taken time to stitch it and there's real treasure underneath.

The Racerbank tankini by "Body by Victoria" Collection is a hit for those who live and breathe "beach". It can be worn anytime, anywhere, and has a total summer appeal. It comes in floral prints as well as solids, note the bikini bottom, and on sale at $28. The "Beach Sexy" Collection is truly a bunch of tankini masterpieces, since it's also where I found the Apron tankini -- a deluge of batik patterns in a flirtatious arrangement that's simply not boring to look at. It has an open back and laces at the neck and back. The Apron tankini (that looks like a more sophisticated camikini) pairs with a deliciously designed string bottom and is sold at $36.

The All American Bikini (http://www.allamericanbikini.com) sports a similar, but bolder, more diverse Fashion Tankinis Collection. Camikinis, skirted, tie-dyed, ruffled, piped, bandeau, sarong, slimming, tie-front, and halter tankinis are the best in the bunch. My criteria for picking the most attractive and flattering tankinis are based on how they enhance the body's shape and skin tone, their durability, as well as their comfortability.

Now, whoever said that wearing bikinis had to be an all or nothing affair? With tankinis, you're revealing your sexy side while still keeping things subtly hidden. And with the comfort it provides in wearing a two-piece swimsuit, the tankini, despite being a novel swimsuit fashion concept, is on its way to invading the beaches sooner than we expect.