My friends, the weather is finally how it should be in June. Sunny, bright afternoons are followed by warm and comfortable evenings. Screw the temperature being in the 60s; that was so last week. Meteorologists report that the rest of this week will be in the 70s and lower 80s, which means it’s time to hit the beach. However, for those of you who wish to remain fashion-conscious while baring most of your flesh, there are a few key pointers I have for you to embrace the sun stylishly and uniquely.

As I peruse the countless fashion magazines littering my apartment floor, analyzing the swimsuit trends for women this summer, there’s one thing I’ve noticed that’s constant: a true lack of color. This could be due to designers’ shift toward a universal and economically sound style that’s affordable and easy for all. Whatever the case may be, the only colors popping up have been black, white, pewter and maybe some yellows, although very few.

If darker and dimmer shades for swimwear aren’t in your favor, then you could also begin to consider the eclectic use of shapes appearing in certain swimsuit spreads. Classic, overused two-pieces are out; it’s all about the modified one-piece. For example, a halter-top one-piece with a crease that travels between the breasts and down to the navel, a strapless swim dress that has the entire back sheer, or a two-piece that has one shoulder strap and a midsection belt made entirely out of safety pins. Call me crazy, but it’s out there. As far as accessories go, sheer, long, Grecian-like dresses are perfect for a quick add-on to any swimsuit, whether it be two- or one-piece, and, like I said earlier, it’s best to choose a solid neutral color like black, white or nude.

For men, I swear by the good fashion goddess Coco Chanel. I couldn’t disagree more with board shorts. They are overused, baggy and make already tiny legs look smaller. Plus, we go to a school in the Pacific Northwest, not southern California. We surf with wetsuits up here. Time to mature with your wardrobe, gentlemen, and choose something to lie out in the sun that’s classic, sophisticated and a little bit more — dare I say it — sexy.

Like the aforementioned color tip for the ladies, guys should also focus on blacks, whites, grays and neutrals such as beige. Real men wear trunks. Don’t be afraid to should off your (chicken) legs and tan them as well. However, if you’re going to go swimming with a tighter set of trunks — like briefs or army-cut — I couldn’t advise getting a pair that is white. White nylon plus water equals transparency. Catch my drift?

I know there’s a lot of stress put upon us college students for finals and theses, but every studious individual needs a break now and again. And with Seattle being sandwiched between two large bodies of water — Puget Sound and Lake Washington — there are dozens of ways to enjoy the sun on some sand while remaining in style.

Reach columnist Ben Schock at opinion@dailyuw.com.