(Associated Press) –MIAMI BEACH — Next summer, women can be comfortable, feel glamorous and look trend-right in pants as beach cover-ups.


Bold-colored and printed pantsuits were one of the popular styles on the runway during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012, which ended July 18. Slouchy pants in bright pink and black, and even a Spandex, bohemian-print legging, also might be coming soon to a beach near you.

Playful prints and vibrant hues – hot pink, acid green, cobalt blue – had their place on the catwalks in Miami Beach, as well as geometric shapes and animal-inspired prints, colors and stripes.

Some designers showed high-waisted bikini bottoms, while others included multi side-string swimwear, allowing for some skin to peek through.

Designer Norma Kamali said she’s interested in “the evolution more than a trend” in swimwear.

Swimwear might be more like the bridal market than high fashion, in that there are more limitations in style, fabric and construction. That doesn’t stop splashy runway shows, though.

Close to two dozen designers previewed looks for stylists, editors and retailers who used The Raleigh Hotel as their home base over five days. They saw collections inspired by the Amazon, Egypt and Pop Art, among other themes.

“It was important for me to address elegance,” designer Red Carter said.

A generous mix of Egyptian and South American tribal influences were seen at the Mara Hoffman show in a multitude of vibrant colors.

“I love her really bright prints,” designer and reality television star Whitney Port, seated in the front row, told AP. Although she is “more of a jean shorts kind of girl,” Port said she was looking forward to seeing Hoffman’s unique pieces.

Hoffman is known for her Bohemian style. Her collection touched on Egyptian inspiration such as the sarcophagus and King Tut.

The face of King Tut was put on an oversized beach bag, a maillot, a high-waisted bikini and maxi dress.

The 39-piece collection was the biggest showing for Hoffman yet. It included a cheetah print jumpsuit, Tiki modal (fiber) slouch pants, and a neon coral silk chiffon romper paired with bikini tops in tribal or animal prints. One of the long, flowing dresses was detailed with beads on the back of the neck.

An eye motif, although subtle, was seen throughout the show.

A black high-waisted bikini bottom was held together with multiple side strings for a slashed effect, as was a pistachio embroidered four-strap bikini.

Beading, macrame and sexy lattice cut-outs also were seen during the show, and Hoffman introduced her take on cotton voile.

The show ended with a Spandex legging in a vibrant coral Egyptian print.

So who is the Mara Hoffman woman?

“She’s a journey person at heart even if she doesn’t necessarily have the means to do so. She’s inspired by other cultures,” Hoffman said.

Photo: Models show off latest swimwear designs.