Swimsuit season in the Land of Lakes is short. So short, that if you don't have a suit by mid-July, you have to scour the sales racks full of mismatched bottoms and tops to avoid skinny-dipping.

There's a reason: The swim world already is diving into next year.

Just two weeks ago, designers rolled out their looks for 2011 in a series of fashion shows in Miami. With more than 20 shows over five days, it was like a sweltering "Project Runway" on overdrive -- but without very much fabric.

Designers highlighted everything from little black suits (LBSs) to retro two-pieces with high-waisted bottoms à la "Mad Men" to barely there cutouts that look as if they were destined for "Jersey Shore."

Of course, not all of these suits will wash with Minnesota women. Skimpy sells in Miami, but we're a bit more modest here.

"In Miami, it's not as much about the print as the [brand] name or how skimpy it is," said Jenn Cermak, owner of beachwear store Nani Nalu in Edina "For us, it's function meets fashion. The suit needs to cover your rear end and be as close to timeless as they can be because our customers don't buy suits every single year."

Cermak, a veteran of 12 swimwear shows, said she was has happy to see "real woman" bikinis with more generous cup sizes as well as a move away from neons to more wearable colors -- plum, coral, sapphire, olive green and coffee.

The new styles will start arriving in stores in October. Just in time to plan your winter getaway.

FABULOUS FLORALS

TONS OF TEXTURE

FUTURISTIC CUTOUTS

Last year's cutouts are back with sophisticated criss-cross twists as seen in Mara Hoffman's collection. Beware of unusual tan lines, though.

Designers went for bold tribal prints from exotic locales, including this leopard print in bright hues from Dolores Cortes.

STATEMENT HARDWARE

You won't need to worry about accessories, when there's jewelry attached to the suit like on this Luli Fama bikini.