Shaped to Flatter : The Beauty of These Swimsuits Is Their Inner Construction

OUTWARDLY SEXY, inwardly supportive. That’s the strategy for today’s swimwear.

Israel-based Gottex has always offered seductive suits with inner secrets. The latest collection features a number of unexpected assists, including sheer panels that camouflage a bare midriff and hard-cup bras concealed in French-style bikinis. Exotic prints, a house specialty, range from the ethnic-inspired to new versions of the ever-sexy animal print.

Seductive coverage is the goal, and every suit can be teamed with a variety of matching cover-ups. They range from swing jackets and full-legged pants to a pareo --a big scarf that can be be worn as a skirt or placed on the ground as a chic alternative to a towel.

Appreciating the Gottex lineup is one thing; affording it is another. Swimsuits start around $70, cover-ups around $110, at boutiques and major department stores.