Remember Mom’s old adage about how it’s hot (okay, maybe our mothers didn’t use the word “hot”) to leave something to the imagination? Well, about 99 percent of us threw that out the window and dressed up as a sexy witch last year for Halloween. But this summer, we can honor Mom’s words and still look smokin’ in a one-piece bathing suit. Think Renee Russo in The Thomas Crown Affair or Halle Berry in 007. Rugby (342 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.247.2801) has us covered (more or less) in a black-and-white-striped version ($112). But with an oversize cut-out in the back and rope ties on the hips, this one-piece halter is one hot piece. If you’re looking for subtlety that your mother would approve of and your attractive neighbor at the pool will notice, head to Calypso (114 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.421.1887) and pick up a white-hot halter with gold hardware ($145), which is well-suited for the task.
