Summer may have officially started in June, but the mercury doesn't typically hit swimwear temperatures until July in the Lower Mainland.
But a brief bikini season doesn't mean West Coast sun-seekers have to forgo the latest in beach, pool and vacation apparel.
Summer 2014 is all about details - from intricate patterns to creative strings and straps.
At Northshore Ski Board in central Lonsdale, buyer and manager Casey Nicholson has brought in plenty of bikini tops with T-backs, macramé knots and multiple straps. Most of the women's styles are two-piece, though the store does carry a few one-piece suits, she says. Whatever the style, though, the suits feature "just crazy different patterns mixed in."
This season, look for Navajo-inspired prints and chevron stripes. Colours range from cobalt blue to hot pink to yellow-lime - lots of bright hues, but nothing reminiscent of '80s neon, Nicholson says.
In the summer season, Northshore Ski Board caters to water sport enthusiasts and brands such as Rip Curl, Roxy and O'Neill take the active wearer into consideration.
"We're seeing a lot of technology in fabrics," Nicholson says, explaining quick-dry materials are popular, as are tacky fabrics that prevent suit slippage when moving about. For men, four-way stretch board shorts are the height of comfort.
"A lot of Hawaiian prints are back, like hibiscus flowers, that retro look," Nicholson says. "(Men's suits are) also getting shorter, so they're not the super long baggy board shorts anymore. They come in above the knee."
For the fashion-forward male, seafoam green is on trend for 2014.
"It's not going to be for everyone, but it is popular for guys," Nicholson says. Meanwhile, Unity Clothing, located street-level at Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier, has brought in a variety of summer swimwear styles in mix-and-match solids and Aztec-and Hawaiian-themed prints.
In keeping with the seasonal trend, many of the suit designs pay close attention to detail. "The back will have some kind of embellishment like a bead or a criss-cross around the back or on the sides of the hip," says staff member Britt Arnet.
For men, the Mirage short by Rip Curl, which is suitable to wear in or out of the water, is a favourite, Arnet says, especially among hotel guests who've forgotten to pack their trunks. "Those are board shorts that can be worn swimming or on the patio, or walking down the street," she explains. "They're super comfortable. You can wear them as a day-to-day short."
Beyond swimsuits, there are plenty of creative ways to cover up and stay sun smart this summer. Floor-length maxiskirts and tube dresses continue to be popular, Arnet says, while a pair of jean shorts and a light-weight hoodie can be worn overtop of a bikini for a more casual look.
To ease the swimsuit shopping experience, which can be a notoriously unpleasant one, Arnet advises that shoppers dedicate a good chunk of time to the suit search and try on a variety of styles.
"Being open to trying something new that you might not have can sometimes surprise you," she says.
