We are in the middle of swimwear season, so if you need a new bathing suit this year and like to have options, now’s the time to start looking. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started:

Fab Links from Our Members

Desmo April loves the Flannel Foxes’ interpretations of menswear. Talk about tomboy style.

Laura (rhubarbgirl) points us to this interesting article about how the brain gets a physical “hit” from buying something new, and how retailers have learned to craft their sales approach to take advantage of it.

Author Linda has been shopping for an investment trench, and found this post on trench coats informative and very useful.

Sally shares why most dresses are sleeveless these days. Apparently one of the reasons is that sleeves are frumpy. That was news to Angie too! She adds: “I actually think sleeved dresses look more modern, fresh and fashionable than sleeveless dresses these days. Designers need to put more sleeves on dresses.”

Angie also enjoyed this roundup of nine ways to wear flared jeans.

Susie Bubble swapped wardrobes with French stylist Valentine Fillol-Cordier. The two women couldn’t be more different in their styles, and Approprio thought that both look completely lost in each other’s clothes. Make of that what you will.

LadyLilac found a great review of The RealReal, a consignment business that deals with designer items, over at Extra Petite.

Doubleh loves seeing vintage fashion styles, and particularly enjoyed the non-airbrushed photos of more realistic body types in these bikini photos. She adds she is a bit more ready to start the swimsuit try-ons now.

The people at WhoWhatWear feel that Ines de la Fressange is a good style role model and “the perfect inspiration for ladies of a certain age”. Joy enjoyed browsing the French style icon’s outfits.