Poolside sexy. (Fashion bonus section: best beachwear 2003).(Illustration)

What to wear on days of carefree outdoor carousing: girlie swimwear in sun-drenched hues, with sassily seductive ties and hip-slung bikini bottoms.

(opening page) Floral-print bikini, John Galliano, $350; high-heel leather thong sandals. Cesare Paciotti, $390, eye-print one-piece bathing suit, Jean Paul Gaultier, $220; high-heel open-toe mules, Chanel, $350; strapless bathing suit with diagonal stripes, Eres, $216, 800-340-6004; printed halter top, $24.50, and side-tie bottom, $24.50. American Eagle Outfitters, ae.com; high-heel thong sandals with stones, Celine, $475, 866-600-4121; silk jersey bikini, Esteban Cortazar, $122; metallic-leather flat sandals, Matta, $66

BABES IN BUBBLES

(from left) Scene-print bikini too, Akua Blu by Rosemarie Louca, $52, girlshop.com; stretch-nylon tie-side bikini bottom (sold with top), Pisces-Swimwear, $90, piscesswimwear.com; stretch-polymide bikini with solid top and printed bottom, Christian Dior, $360;, stretch-nylon string bikini, OMO Norma Kamali, $130, normakamalicollection.com; rainbow stretch-nylon bikini, Salinas Swimwear, $88, salinasswimwear.com; bandeau bathing suit (sold with cover-up), Celine by Michael Kors, $650; 18-karat-gold hoop earrings with coral fringe, Ippolita, ippolita.com; gold bangle, M+J Savitt, $105, 800-3-SAVITT

WET AND WILD

(from left) Nylon bikini with beading, Calypso Christiane Celle, $130; leather crisscross high-heel sandals, Moschino Cheap and Chic, $275; tie-front halter bikini, Pisces Swimwear, ...