As summer gets closer, and you’re lucky enough to leave near the water, you’re going to need a bathing suit.  Now, you’re talking to a girl that has had bathing suit issues for years, so my mistakes are now your learning experience.

Emily Young, from the Eagle Tribune, did a lot of research on this subject by consulting with Ginger Burr and Michele Casper.

Tummy trouble
* Shirred, ruched or draped fabric around the stomach helps slim the waistline. Princess seams, vertical lines and some tummy control help create longer curves.

* Diagonal lines, patterns under the breast, or a wrap style one-piece with a high Lycra count all create interest at the waist while drawing the eye upward. Tankinis can be a nice option as long as the top isn’t made of a fabric that will roll up and expose the widest part of your waist.

Now, in my experience, tankinis are the devil.  That’s because I have a long torso and had a really hard time finding anything that would cover it.  So, I went with the average joe’s tankini and was miserable trying to keep it down.  Not only does it roll up, as stated above, it also cuts your midsection in half, drawing attention to the body part you least want attention drawn to!

Bottom-heavy
* Draw the eye up and away from the trouble spot with prints at the top of the suit and not the bottom. Detail like beading or a faux tortoiseshell buckle near the neckline is great.

* Pick a solid-colored bikini bottom that isn’t too skimpy, but also avoid boy shorts that often widen your bottom. Skirted bikinis camouflage fuller hips as long as there isn’t excessive detailing. Don’t wear a skirt that ends at the widest part of your hips; you want it to end just below your trouble zone. Straps set further apart or a suit with prominent, horizontal design on top will help to balance your shoulders with your hips.

I just got this right, finally.  I’m not bottom heavy, persay, but I like to keep the slimmest appearance possible when prancing around for half of Hawaii to see.  I got a padded, plaid, light colored top from VS and got black bottoms.  It’s a nice contrast that also helps draw attention away from my tummy.

Plus size
* You aren’t required to wear a swim dress to the beach. There are lots of options for more or less coverage in different anxiety zones, as plus-size women carry their weight differently, Casper said.* Accentuate your favorite features with suits that have good support and are made with fabric that have high Lycra counts. Deep colors are usually most flattering, but that doesn’t restrict you to black: Try a brown, eggplant or deep blue instead. Or, go for a bold, swirly pattern to keep the eye moving and create interest.

Large-chested
* Find balance with decorative details on the bottom or try a skirted suit. Thick-strapped halter tops help narrow the appearance of your shoulders while giving extra support.

* A built-in bra for support is a must – triangle tops and bandeaus just won’t work for you. Make sure you have appropriate coverage to eliminate the risk of an overflowing top. As with small-chested women, be absolutely sure your top fits properly because you don’t want any fabric bagging or sagging.

Small-chested
* Tops with padding and underwires can create fullness in the bust, as do halter tops. Bandeau tops are a fun choice, as only small-chested women can wear them well. Details like ruffles, ruching, bolder patterns, and polka dots – this season’s hot trend – add interest to the area.

Padding saved my life, lol.  No, really, it helped me look more proportional and it helped minimize my fluffy tummy.

Boyish body
* While wrap-style one-piece swimsuits give the illusion of curves, avoid solid-colored, one-piece suits. To add the illusion of curves, use interesting patterns and detailing at the waist and top. Diagonal lines, crisscrossing under the bust, ruffles, ruching, and halter tops all add interest while drawing the eye upward.

Petite
* Choose a high-cut bottom that lengthens your leg. Avoid boy shorts that cut your legs off at the upper thigh and bikinis that cut your body in half with different-colored tops and bottoms. A solid one-piece suit with a high-cut leg, V-neck top, halter top or pretty detailing at the bust creates a long, vertical line, drawing the eye upward and making you look taller.

Hope you all have a wonderful summer!

Related blogs

Flatter Your Figure: Based on Body Shape Part II

August 15th, 2009 by Stephanie in Advice, Flatter your figure, Stephanie, anything goes, fashion

Flatter Your Figure: Based on Body Shape

August 14th, 2009 by Stephanie in Advice, Flatter your figure, Stephanie, anything goes, fashion

Slimming Fashion Tips: Fluffy Tummies

August 11th, 2009 by Stephanie in Flatter your figure, How To..., Stephanie, anything goes, fashion