The Dunnes Stores' swimwear collection manages to banish winter blues and prompt wild talk of jetting off to sunnier climes.
Every year at this time beach clothes flood into the shops and the urge to get away is tempting.
Dealing with the jargon associated with beach wear is also demanding. Support, padding, long sarongs, underwiring, string bikinis, swing minis, shoestring straps, that sort of talk. There is discussion about hot pinks, strong turquoise, lime greens and animal prints. Then there is the matter of choice: should it be smooth to touch, or self-patterned, striped, or plain, and what about those newlook boxers with the versatile matching vest? And, of course, great blessings are given to Lycra.
Dunnes has a wide range, with swimsuits costing between £12 and £20 and there seems to be a style for all known female shapes. Accessories tie in - straw bags, hats, wedge mules, velour towels, because these clothes cross over from pool to club, from beach to ballroom, and form a complete, harmonious style. The long sarong, and the flirty short wrap mini are particularly successful. Tank tops and boxer shorts are also expected to be out in force. Bikinis, once again popular, often come with matching shirts.
It's a bright, sun-sizzling collection the main aim of which is to maximise visibility of the wearer in a crowded place.