Now that warmer temps are here to stay, I find my mind wandering more and more to thoughts of lounging by the pool and listening to the waves break on a sandy beach. Then reality sets in ... I'm in the office, the weekend is an eternity away and I still haven't managed to shed the "insulation" I acquired over the winter. But – for me, at least – I've found that there's no better motivation to get in shape than beginning the search for a new swimsuit. To help with your hunt, here's what's hot for soaking up the sun in style this summer.

Photo by Joel Hodges (ENLARGE)

(ENLARGE)

Green paisley halter, by Joy Joy, $79, at Stephanie's.

Photo by Joel Hodges (ENLARGE)

Straw pool tote, $35 at T.J. Maxx.

(ENLARGE)

Smocked sundress, $34, by Cejan at T.J. Maxx.

(ENLARGE)

Striped jersey dress, $72, by Citrine at Stephanie's;

One Piece or Two?

One-piece swimsuits continue their resurgence in 2008, bringing classic elegance poolside and providing coverage that doesn't sacrifice style.

Make a splash this season in maillots that feature sweetheart necklines, halter ties and retro styling (like the suits Marilyn Monroe made popular).

Despite the one-piece revival, the 'kini remains king.

The super-sexy monokini (bikini with top and bottom pieces connected, or a one-piece with large cutouts) reigns supreme this summer. Monokinis are a great alternative to traditional bikini styles, providing more stomach coverage and creating or emphasizing an hourglass silhouette. Tankinis (bikinis with a longer, tank-style top) and bandinis (bikinis with a bandeau-style top) are also popular this season, which is especially great since they're flattering styles for most body types.

It's All in the Details

Appliqués, bows, O-rings and ruffles accent the summer's hottest swimsuits, and jewels, beads and stones embellish tops, bottoms and string ties. Ruching (when fabric is gathered/pleated) creates an ultra-flattering effect and is being applied allover one-pieces and to the center back of bikini bottoms. Just remember that any adornment is meant to draw attention, so be mindful of their placement when choosing a suit.

Make a Bold Statement

Whether in striking solids or geometric prints, bright shades of blue and fuchsia, as well as classic black and white, are the colors of choice for swimwear this year.

If you'd like to go a little wild, select safari-inspired animal prints, including zebra, giraffe and tiger patterns, in unnatural hues like aqua and emerald green.

And one of the best things about allover patterns is that they keep the eye from focusing on any one spot, which diverts attention away from problem areas.

The bold colors popular in swimwear this summer are also the hues to choose for your tips and toes.

Shades of blue, from baby to turquoise to navy, have been spotted on the digits of numerous celebrities, and sheer white gives a "polished" look to fingertips.

For those of you who indulge in the guilty pleasure of "The Hills" (I admit, I'm addicted), lacquer-creator Zoya just launched the "Gossip Collection," a line of polishes named after the characters you love to hate ... and hate to love.

Aquatic Accessories

Adding accessories to your pool or beach ensemble can be both fashionable and functional. Wide-brimmed and Panama-style hats are incredibly stylish and shade your face from damaging rays.

Oversized sunglasses remain popular and cover more of your delicate eye area – just ensure that the shades you select offer strong UV protection, or opt for polarized lenses, which are a bit pricier but dramatically reduce glare (and squinting, which can result in crow's feet).

Cute cover-ups like caftans (either tunic-style or gown-length), smocked sundresses and sarongs also shield you from the sun and transition easily from surf to turf.

But the most essential accessory this summer – and every season – is sunscreen. Protecting yourself from the harmful effects of the sun's rays is always in vogue. And with the technological advancements made in faux tanning, achieving a natural-looking bronze glow has never been easier.