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The Return of the Monokini

At the recent Miami Swim Fashion Week, the body-baring ’60s design was all the rage. VIEW OUR GALLERY of barely there swimsuits. By Renata Espinosa.

Published Jul. 22 2009 5:27AM EDT

galleries/2009/07/22/the-return-of-the-monokini/monokini-4_hi2lyg — Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for IMG

galleries/2009/07/22/the-return-of-the-monokini/monokini-4_gsplee — A swimsuit for erstwhile ballerinas, who miss lacing up their shoes.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for IMG

galleries/2009/07/22/the-return-of-the-monokini/monokini-1_dgwyev — Almost as scandalous as Rudi Gernreich’s monokini, this suspenders-as-suit from Canadian designer Reyhan Sofraci would make Bo Derek blush.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for IMG

galleries/2009/07/22/the-return-of-the-monokini/monokini-5_u34vmx — This monokini’s pinwheel design makes it appropriate for lounging next to Miami pools with an Art Deco theme.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for IMG

galleries/2009/07/22/the-return-of-the-monokini/monokini-7_hwzunn — A suit for the perennial argyle sweater and sock set.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for IMG

galleries/2009/07/22/the-return-of-the-monokini/monokini-2_dqvn27 — Bohéme Boutiques, a Key Biscayne swimwear boutique, kicked off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2010 with a poolside show at The Raleigh Hotel in Miami, with a boho beaded version of the monokini.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for IMG

galleries/2009/07/22/the-return-of-the-monokini/monokini-10_hbgw2v — You’ll be swimming like a sea serpent in this high-necked suit from top Brazilian swimwear label Cia.Marítima.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for Cia Maritima

galleries/2009/07/22/the-return-of-the-monokini/monokini-9_v2rnua — A psychedelic print, a plunging neckline and strategically placed strings make for a well-put-together package.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for Luli Fama

galleries/2009/07/22/the-return-of-the-monokini/monokini-3_qd7qsw — An itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, stringy monokini from Mara Hoffman, who showed swimwear at MBFW Swim in Miami for the first time.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for IMG

galleries/2009/07/22/the-return-of-the-monokini/monokini-8_kp7neg — The fisherman’s net goes futuristic in Sao Paulo-based Paola Robba’s design for Poko Pano.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for Poko Pano

galleries/2009/07/22/the-return-of-the-monokini/monokini-11_u6qt6s — Red Carter, who partnered with Jessica Simpson to do a swimwear line for her eponymous collection, dubbed his latest swimwear collection “Rock and Roll Space Hookers Circa 1984.”
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for IMG

galleries/2009/07/22/the-return-of-the-monokini/monokini-6_ts7don — Veronica de la Cruz, creative director and co-founder of V Del Sol, makes the monokini look polished with top ties knotted around grommets.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for IMG