What Type of Swimwear Suits Me? (A Compilation)

Finding the right fit

Let's face it –- no two women have the exact same body shape. So shopping for a suit that fits you perfectly isn't always easy. But there are general guidelines that'll help you find the right fit, given your shape. “Women have to remember to shop for their body type and not be seduced by trends or styles that may not suit them,” warns Ungerman.

If you have a big bust
“Look for a bathing suit that has a solid colour on the top and a printed pattern from the waist down,” advises Sturgeon. “This will attract attention away from your bust and bring focus to a slimmer waist. However, if you want something a little more sexy, V-neck suits always flatter a bigger bust,” she says.

If you have a small bust
“Look for padding; however, make sure the padding isn't larger than your chest,” Sturgeon says. “Any kind of ornamentation like beading or embroidery can give the illusion of a larger bust so try on many of these styles.”

If you have slim hips
“Make your waist look smaller by picking a one-piece suit that has a print across the torso,” Sturgeon suggests. “When purchasing a bikini, try low-rise bottoms that will draw attention away from your waist.”

If you have wide hips
“Spring for a tankini that has a bold print on the top, and match it with a solid colour on the bottom,” says Sturgeon. “This pattern will focus attention on your top half. You can also pair a solid skirt for extra coverage at a pool party.”

DON'TS

DON'T be afraid to buy more than one suit if more than one style flatters your figure.

DON'T purchase a swimsuit in a colour that is too similar to that of your skin tone, or you'll look naked.

All right ladies, what are you waiting for? It's time to hit the shops and snag yourself a sensational swimsuit that you'll be dying to wear all summer long.

-by Natalie Bahadur from www.canadianliving.com-

Swimwear To Suit YOU

I heard a recent line from a new movie that cracked me up. A personal trainer was trying to motivate her client through a tough workout. When her client wanted to give up, her trainer asked her…”what is the most dreaded phrase in the English language?” Her client responded, “pool party” and immediately started moving again.

It’s true! So many of us dread bearing our bods in a bathing suit, regardless of whether it’s in front of friends or complete strangers. But buying new swimwear doesn’t have to be a dreaded experience if you know what to look for. Here are a few tips all women should know.

Today we will explore and discuss the different styles of the bikini. Since most of us do our shopping online, finding a swimsuit that fits can be difficult. Here are some general rules to live by.

Halter Top

The halter top style bikini top is always a good way to go. It flatters both larger and smaller breasted women. It holds you in place and looks great if you’re surfing, playing beach volleyball, or just lounging on a towel drinking a diet coke. It also flatters a pear shaped body. This is because a little more fabric up top makes you look more proportionate to your lower half than a tiny string or bandeau will. Trust me, as a surfer with smaller breasts and a pear shaped body, I have tested every suit out there! The Halter top is fantastic.

String Bikini Top


The triangle string bikini top. I see this mistake made time and time again. Women with very small breasts feel this is the best option because it contains the least amount of fabric. NOT FLATTERING. A saggy piece of triangle material over a small chest only makes it look smaller. If you are less then amply endowed in this area, go for an under-wire or halter style top with a little bit of lining or padding. You’ll feel supported and look fabulous. The same rule applies to very large breasted women. The string top doesn’t offer much support, so instead of stretching the strings around your neck to within an inch of their life, wear something that is gonna give your lady lumps the lifting and staying power they deserve. SO what have we learned about bikini tops so far……Less is not necessarily more.

DO wear the triangle string top if you have medium side breasts (B to C) and are not planning on any rigorous water sports. They can be very flattering, sexy, and adjustable, which is always a plus. They also work pretty well on the surgically enhanced chest that comes with it’s own staying power, if you know what I mean.

Bandeau

The Bandeau top. Ok ladies, I know none of us like to have tan lines. They suck. But we’re here to discuss what looks good and what doesn’t so I’m gonna have to tell you, the bandeau top is the least flattering top you can wear. It’s the equivalent to wearing horizontal stripes. IF you are Eva Langoria, or my brother’s teeny, tiny Italian girlfriend, you can pull this off, but that’s about it. The first way the bandeau top offends is make you look wider. It pulls the eye horizontally. So unless your are petite or narrow, which is about 20% of the female population, this in not going to flatter. It is also very UNsupportive. Even the kind with the boning on the sides only keeps the fabric across your chest expanded so you don’t get the mush boob effect, but offers very little support. If your boobs are large and natural, the bandeau will eventually creep down to your belly button and take your tatas with it. And you can forget trying to play paddleball or go body surfing. So to most of you tan line phobic ladies….sorry, put down the bandeau and back away slowly.

The last general rule I have is that lining, or a little padding in the bathing suit top is never a bad idea. It just adds a bit more support for bigger chests and a bit more curve to smaller ones. And if it’s a little chilly in the water, you won’t be high beaming for all the male population on the beach to oogle, unless you’re into that, which some women are.

Ok, onto the bikini bottom which can be even more treacherous than the bikini top.
Unlike bikini tops, less can very much be more when it comes to choosing your swimwear bottoms.


Lets begin with the boy short bottom.

I LOVE the boy short bottom. I think they are sexy and youthful and great for water sports, but there are a few things you must remember. Go for a little less coverage in the back area. Too much coverage and its gonna look like you’re wearing actual shorts. Too much material can also make your butt look boxy and flat. You want more of a heart shaped bottom to give contour to your booty. And there is nothing sexier then the tiniest bit of bum cheek exposed on the bottom of the boy short as you walk away. The other rule is not to buy these too snug or small. They are the most flattering when they sit a bit lower on the hip. This leaves you at a lower risk of exposing back fat and love handles. The last thing you want is the boy short pinching in your sides and emphasizing these less then stellar spots. You want them to emphasize your feminine curves, not cause speed bumps in the middle of them.

Bikini Brief

Onto the bikini brief bottom, not to be confused with the string bottom. This is probably the most popular swimwear bottom you see. It was made popular in the 80’s when women would hike the sides up to their ribcages. Remember that? Neither do I but I’ve seen plenty of pictures, and I’m SO glad that trend has passed. The most important thing to look at when trying on the brief bottom is definitely the ratio of material in front to material in back. So often you see women wearing bikini briefs and they look great from the front but when they turn around the back look likes a diaper. Saggy bum material is beyond unflattering. Unless you actually have a pair of depends on underneath them, there is no excuse for this. Make sure the material fits your booty snug. Next, once again, don’t worry about the tag size, make sure they are not too small, otherwise you will have the briefs digging into your sides, making you look bigger and lumpier then you actually are. Overall these bottoms can be hard to pull off unless you are thin. One design that has a lot of give is the scalloped edge design. There is more material along the edge, so more room to stretch. If rolls on the side are a problem, look for that design.

String Tie Bikini

Ok, now for my favorites, the string tie bikini bottom. I know some of you might think I’m crazy but I think this is the MOST flattering bikini bottom for any body. I know it tends to be less material and a little more revealing, but the key to this design is that it’s adjustable!! You can tie and re-tie the sides to adjust to your body! Trust me. Just try it! Once again the previous rule of a snug butt also applies here. Less material on the butt actually has a perky and tightening effect on the appearance of your tush. I like to tie the sides so the string bottoms sit right along my hip. It’s flattering from every angle and does not dig into your sides at all. If you’re tiny, or have a bit of padding in the belly and hip department, this bottom is the way to go. The only thing I wouldn’t recommend it for is heavy wave action like surfing, or tubing. These bottoms, though strategically placed, can get yanked off by the surf pretty easily. And going bottomless is rarely a good move.

-by The Swimwear Suit Blog-