It’s that time again, swimsuit season. For many woman, picking a swimsuit is a dreaded task, but no more! Lauren Purcell of Self magazine has advice on how to choose the best bathing suit for your body type.
We have style tips that will address the most common body issues so everyone can hit the beach feeling confident. There are basically 4 ways a swimsuit can help you to look your best:
Choose the right shape for your body
Choose a flattering color/print/fabric
Buy the right size and remember that you will have to go up a size or even two from your dress size. Try not to worry about going up, no one will know you’ve gone up a size for a better fit (but they’ll notice if you don’t)!
Extra help features — technology is a good thing when it comes to swimwear. There are great new features out there to help you look great including Lycra, control panels, more comfortable underwire and bra padding.
FOR SMALL SHOULDERS, CHEST AND WIDER HIPS
Emphasize bust, choose a one-piece with an empire waist or a bikini with a halter to create cleavage or bandeau top to broaden shoulders. Choose a light colored top. Play down hips with a low riding bikini bottom, choose a more daring cut than you might think of first because a triange bottom will actually minimize the area you want to play down. Skip bottoms that cut straight across the legs because that makes the hips look wider. Try an Ondade Mar suit, called the St. Tropez bandeau which costs $130 and can be purchased at Bergdrof Goodman, Barney’s New York, Lesters and at www.ondademar.com.
FOR BROAD SHOULDERS, BIG BUST AND NARROW HIPS
De-emphasize the top half a bit by waring a wide square neck, which will narrow wide shoulders and get a top with wide straps and underwire for support. Give emphasis to hips with cute string ties at the sides of the suit and choose a lighter shade on the bottom if you can, that will draw the eyes down.
Try the Dr. Bombay for Robin Piccone, the top is $60 and the bottom is $50 and can be purchased at robinpiccone.com on the Tiki Room page of the site.
FOR SHORTER LEGS AND A LONGER TORSO
The tankini was made for this body typr! Skip those trendy boy shorts though, they will make her legs look shorter. Instead get a high cut bottom to lengthen legs. Choose a bikini bottom that covers the stomach and goes high on the wait rather than riding low on the hips to even out the long torso.
For this body type, try a suit by Jag, the top costs $48 and the bottom costs $36 and can be purchased at Macy’s, www.everythingbutwater.com and californiasunshine.com.
CURVY WITH BIG BUST, SMALLER WAIST, BIGGER HIPS
Highlight the smaller waist with a two piece suit. Lessen curves with thicker straps that will give proportion and use an allover print to keep eyes moving.
For this body type try a suit by Banana Republic. The top costs $36 and the bottom costs $36.
THICK AROUND THE WAIST/TUMMY BULGE
Frame face with a halter or other neckline interest. Choose a textured fabric or vertical stripes rather than a pattern. One piece is best for flattening tummy, we’d like to use a Miracle suit here.
For this body type, try a Miracle Suit, which costs $122 and can be purchased at Saks Fifth Avenue.
STRAIGHT, THIN WITH NO DEFINED WAIST
Create the illusion of waist or hips with string ties at sides of suit bottom. Counteract the vertical with diagonal stripes. Try a bra top to enhance bust or boy shorts to create a “bootylicious” behind that is all the rage right now.
Try a suit by La Blanca called the Belt Du Jour, which costs $90. Call 1-800-buy-swim to get store locations or buy the suit directly.