By Laura Trask

There are many wonderful and celebrated annual events across the globe, but when the air of the Lowcountry gets thick with humidity and the thermometer reaches its breaking point, we here in Beaufort  start to prepare ourselves for Water Festival. And like every great event there is considerable

[caption id="attachment_7401" align="alignright" width="227"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Laura-WFashion1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7401" title="Laura-WFashion1" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Laura-WFashion1-227x300.jpg" alt="" width="227" height="300" /></a> This animal print tunic covers up while still turning heads.[/caption]

planning involved, but most importantly to our fashionably parched readers is what are we going to wear!? I have compiled a list of the five hottest trends this year, and let’s face it, in Beaufort we know something about hot!

1. The surfer girl look
After the hit book/movie “Soul Surfer,” who would not be inspired to traipse around in a bikini bottom and surf shirt? The look is cool, young and requires confidence because these young women literally LIVE in their bikini bottoms. But there is a smart girl component here: The surf shirt keeps you safe from all those unwanted UV rays and future wrinkles and allows for freedom to move about without fear of  revealing parts of yourself you might prefer to keep hidden.

2. The summer bangle
When looking for a way to glam up your hot, hot, hot summer bathing suit /beachwear look, why not add a great, eye-catching bangle to your list of summer staples? This season’s bangles are as 80’s as it gets — lots of hello-lemon yellow and other bright colors that have not only popped up on accessories as of late, but were on every pair of jeans this past spring.

3. Romantic Ruffles
You may be wondering how ruffles and sleek, cool summer staples might go together. Well, ruffles are ruling the runway and the bathing suits are not missing out on the fun! Ruffles are shown on one

[caption id="attachment_7400" align="alignleft" width="227"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Laura-WFashion2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7400" title="Laura-WFashion2" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Laura-WFashion2-227x300.jpg" alt="" width="227" height="300" /></a> This look pairs the one-shoulder trend and metallics.[/caption]

pieces, two pieces and every shape in between. The ruffled one-shoulder tops was where I thought it looked the chicest, kinda made me wonder where that waiter in the white jacket was  hiding with the tray of champagne flutes — think Capri!

4. Color Alert
We have discussed the retro neon color invasion, well, at the other end of that spectrum is my favorite color trend for summer — cool, shimmering metallics. They work perfectly with a splash of an animal print, whites and chocolate browns. This is an easy way to make a sophisticated fashion statement without having to put too much thought into putting an outfit together, because everything looks good when paired with metallics, especially a fabulous tan!

5. The Tunic a.k.a. The Cover up
The Number 1 fashion trend for a successful Water Festival is having something to cover it all up! This ancient design (originally created as undergarments for the toga) has stood the test of time and has  evolved into a lightweight, versatile wardrobe staple which can take you from the beach to dinner!So fellow Water Festival attendees, make sure that when that last bite of fried chicken has passed your sunburned lips you have your best summer friend/trend ready to cover it all up!