Bathing suit Fits & Tips

Suits to fit & flatter

Before you go hunting for your new bathing suit, here are a few things you should know to help you embrace your appearance in it. Buying for your body type and knowing what flatters your figure, will make you feeling AND looking sexier on the beach.

Body type:
Slim/athletic shape

Characteristics:

• Small bone structure.
• Slim.
• Very few curves.
• Tends to wear ‘petite’ clothing.
• Normally small bust.

Styles that suit you best:
Tops

• To give the illusion of having more bust than you really do, a bikini/swimwear top that gives some cleavage using an under-wire and padding is a great way to achieve it.
• Triangular shape tops for small breasted women are somewhat unflattering if they do not contain any padding or structure.
• Floral prints and horizontal stripes make a small bust appear bigger.

Bottoms

• A two-piece suit looks more flattering on short, thin women.
• It shows off lots of skin at the waist, giving the impression of a longer torso, which in return makes you seem taller.
• A higher cut at the leg is ideal for short women as they create a longer line.
• To give yourself wider hips, opt for floral prints or horizontal stripes on bottoms, this should make you look more curvaceous.

Rules to abide by:

• A bathing suit that is too large, can be sloppy, unflattering and make you appear shapeless.
• When it comes to colour, darks will bury your assets giving them no chance to shine.

Body type:
Round shape

Characteristics:

• Most body weight carried around the middle.
• Large breasts.
• Wide hips.

Possibly also considered ‘Round’, if you have:

• Narrow shoulders.
• Smaller hips.
• Non-defined waistline.
• Wear plus sizes.

Styles that suit you best: Tops

• For any top you choose, always make sure you have ample support and are not falling out of your top.
• If you wear plus size and consider yourself to have a round body shape, a long ‘tankini’ top in a bold colour with a subtle bottom can work well.
• A higher neckline or a built-in bra offer more support for large busted women.
• One-piece suits minimize the waistline.
• Belted styles accentuate the waist and provide the appearance of an hourglass shape.
• Criss-cross, draped styles favour the waistline and hide any bulges or rolls.

Bottoms

• Ensure that the bottom doesn’t cut into the thigh area as that can cause unsightly bulges and make you look even rounder.
• A hemline cut high on the leg will make you look taller, it brings out the natural curves of your hips.
• Adding a sarong to your beach suit is a great way to make you look sexier. You can also try a skirt, a built-in swim skirt or a cover-up when you want more coverage.

Rules to abide by:

• Suits that contain lots of Lycra are the optimum selection as they smooth out bumps and bulges while making you look up to 10 pounds slimmer.
• Ditch the black and try a deep, rich tone such as plum, eggplant, cobalt blue or chocolate brown.
• A smaller, allover print will confuse the eye and drag the attention away from your shape.
• Be wary of horizontal stripes, they are not a round woman’s friend.
• Brand names that specifically cater to the plus size woman are a good option as the fabrics and colour palettes are specifically researched to compliment that body shape.

Body type:
Pear shape

Characteristics:

• Bottom portion is larger than the top part of your body.
• Large hips.
• Hips tend to be larger than shoulders.
• Smaller bust line.
• Generally have a flat stomach.

Styles that suit you best:
Tops

• Tops with lots of detailing like beads, sequins, loops or knots will give you a more hourglass appearance as it will direct the attention to your top portion and away from the hips.
• An under-wire bikini top enlarges the bust line to the eye since it works as a push-up bra to support and enhance small busts.
• Larger, triangle-shaped cups create curves.
• Tops with ties in the front can be tightened to give you more cleavage.

Bottoms

• A low-rise, hip-skimming bikini bottom is the best option for pear-shaped women.
• This body type looks great in styles of bikini bottoms that cut across the widest part of the hips, creating a harmonious line and complimenting the hips.
• Side ties are a great detail as they can be tightened to highlight the legs.

Rules to abide by:

• Steer away from bandeau or tube bikini tops as they flatten out the bust.
• To make your hips appear smaller, you don’t have to cover them up to diminish them such as wearing the boxy pant style or hot pants, it will only shift the eye to that area and defeat the purpose.

Body type:
Hourglass shape

Characteristics:

• Relatively small waist compared to hips and bust.
• Bust line and hips are proportionate to one another.
• A larger woman wearing plus size is considered to have an hourglass figure as long as the different body parts are proportionate to one another.

Styles that suit you best:
Tops

• If you have modest breasts, a halter or triangle bikini top is best because they tend to show off your cleavage.
• A one-piece with good built-in support is a sexy way to flaunt your curves.
• Ensure that the one-piece doesn’t bunch or ride up.
• To look thinner, a suit with high Lycra content in darker colors and smaller patterns will do just that.

Bottoms

• For short, medium or tall women, direct the attention to your legs by wearing a suit bottom that cuts high on the sides giving your legs a longer and leaner look.
• For plus size hourglass-shaped women, try a bikini with a high waist bottom.
• If you opt for a triangular or halter top, combine it with a triangular-shaped bottom to keep your hourglass figure.
• A solid suit with a different coloured waistline will make your waist appear narrower.

Rules to abide by:

• If you have a larger bust, don’t ruin your look by choosing a top without enough support.
• Horizontal stripes only look good if you want to enhance an area, having an hourglass shape doesn’t necessarily mean that they will look good.
• For any body type, opting for swimwear that doesn’t expose too much skin is ideal,
• Keep away from support-less, string bikini tops, they will look sloppy and unflattering.

Body type:
Apple shape

Characteristics:

• Normally has a larger bust line.
• A less defined waistline
• Smaller hips.
• A midriff section larger than hips.

Styles that suit you best:
Tops

• If you want to cover your tummy and add some volume to the bust, a ‘tankini’ with padded cups will balance out your figure and hide the stomach.
• Look for fabrics with high Lycra content to hold your belly in but ensure it is not so tight that it causes buldges and rolls.
• If you are well endowed in the bust area, make sure your top has ample support to avoid looking dowdy.
• Side ruching smoothes out the midsection thus camouflaging your stomach.
• Side shirring on a strapless, pinup-style suit creates curves and gives a glamorous, old Hollywood look.

Bottoms

• To minimize a problematic mid-section, a larger pant style bottom and one-piece suits with control panels are the solution.
• Bikinis with adjustable and high-rise bottoms or ‘boy shorts’ are the most flattering for this body type.
• Bottoms that cut high on the thigh will give the illusion of a slimmer waist line as all the attention will be drawn downward to the legs.
• Bows, ties or any type of detailing positioned at areas that favour your best assets are a great way of enhancing your shape.
• Expandable side panels or fold-over waistline to resize your suit to fit you properly is a good investment.

Rules to abide by:

• Busy prints should not be considered, a larger pattern or bold and colorful design will suit you best.
• Barely there bikinis aren’t an optimum choice as they make everything hang.
• A smocked dress or cover up is a great piece to have to wear to and from the beach.
• Darker colours have an instantaneous slimming effect on anyone, but it doesn’t have to be black, try a wine red or violet for a change.
• Metallic colors, shiny fabrics and horizontal stripes will make an apple-shaped woman appear larger at the mid-section.
• If a bikini isn’t your thing, a trendy two-piece suit that seems like a one piece with a longer top, in a deeper, dark color, and one that shaves off the area above your hips, with a high cut bottom.
• Show off a thin strip of your torso to keep you from looking shapeless and boxy.

TIP 1
Test the fit:

• Bend down as if you were picking up a towel.
• Top and bottom parts of suit should move with you.
• There should be no popping out of anywhere.

TIP 2
Experiment with sizes:

• A size up or down can make the difference in the fit.
• For more coverage, don’t go up a size; go for a style that covers more in the size that fits you best.
• Note that a suit that’s too big in the store will only get droopier when it’s wet.

TIP 3
Take time to adjust it:

• Tightening straps or pulling on the leg hemline up or down can change the look of the suit.
• If it has ties, try tightening, loosening them or even tying them differently to get different perspectives.
• Play up your cleavage by adjusting your bust.
• Position the waistband at different sections between the waist and hip area to see where it compliments your body shape best.

TIP 4
Crazy for colours:

• If you like vivid colours, no one says you shouldn’t wear them.
• Find some that bring out the glow of your skin, the shine in your hair and the sparkles in your eyes.
• If neutral, earthy hues suit your taste more, go for some that enhance your skin tone.
• Darker shades are rich and flattering, if you want to keep it deep but not black, try different scale grades of eggplant, gray or forest green.
• Your beach look should derive from your street style; it doesn’t have to be separated.

TIP 5
Care for swimwear:

• Swimwear is made of nylon and Lycra, two very durable fabrics that hold up well over time, but the hot tub is its worst enemy; the heat and chlorine cause it much damage.
• Soak your suit in cold water with a mild soap after a day at the pool.
• Let it sit for five to ten minutes before gently squeezing out the excess water.
• For better care, try Palmolive dish soap to remove body oil and sunscreen stains
• Investing in The Laundress – Swimwear Care can be worthwhile; it’s a good delicate wash that removes buildup and sustains your bathing suit for longer.
• Hanging your suit from its straps, just like hanging sweaters up, will stretch it out and make it lose shape.
• To keep the fit, lay flat on a towel for better results.

TIP 6
Accessorize:

Cover-up

• Choose a light, versatile sarong that can double as a dress (convert it into a tube or halter dress), a halter top or simply a wrap skirt, check out Bikini Village’s website to see how you can achieve each style Sarong tricks from Bikini Village.
• A mini dress is convenient as it saves you the trip back home to change into something more suitable for the evening, yet is light enough to wear at the beach.

Beach luggage

• A big bag on the beach is an essential;

1. For a boho chick look, try a straw bag with zippered compartment to store your gadgets away safely from the sand and water.
2. If you’re a kitsch type of gal, a transparent vinyl tote that’s waterproof and edgy is the way to go.
3. Classic bags appeal more to you? Check out canvas tote bags such as the Lands End Zip Top Tote Bag, a sturdy, durable, trendy and machine washable option that is perfect for your needs.

Footwear

• You’ll need sexy, cool footwear to look just right by the water.

1. Pair your beach outfit with high or low espadrilles for a boho look.
2. To spike up a neutral bathing suit colour, go with a patent leather, bright thong.
3. A metallic and jewelled, gladiator-inspired flat will surely keep you looking trendy on the beach.
4. For something sexier, try a high cork wedge with fun detailing.

Sunglasses

• Be sure to add glamour and UVA protection with shades.
• If you are not careful, the sun can cause blistering on your eyes.
• To pick the right ones for your face shape, refer to the points below;

1. Oval/Round face: Try aviators to balance out your face without accentuating it.
2. Angular face: Smooth out a strong jaw line with oversized and round shades.
3. Small/Heart–shaped face: Big or small, all works on a small-shaped face, but be careful, too big a frame can overwhelm your face and make you look cartoon-like.

Jewellery

• Put some hoops on and topple on the wooden bangles for that extra stylish accent on the beach.
• Punch up your muted suit with a colourful beaded necklace.
• Be careful to not overload, you are going for a dip in the water after all and don’t want to have too much weight to carry around.
• Opt for beaded and/or wooden necklaces, wooden or metallic bangles and earrings.
• Metallic necklaces tend to wear the look down making it look too heavy for a breezy day at the beach, it can also rust from the water.

TIP 7
Pre-tanning:

• Get the golden or bronze summer glow without abusing your skin.
• Exfoliate with a moisturizing scrub.
• Apply a self–tanner; many brands provide a natural colour without any of the orange streaks.
• If you only want a hint of colour, a gradual tan self-tanner version is best.
• Many self-tanners include skin firming components, which is an added bonus for most women.
• Most self-tanners don’t contain sunscreen, so be sure to protect yourself with SPF 30 or higher.

TIP 8
Polish it up:

• To get the celebrity tips on what it takes for a beach-worthy pedicure, read below to see what you have to do:
• Cut toenails straight across, then file down the edges and sides.
• Buffing may leave your toenails feeling smooth but it’s not as good for your nails as it feels, it weakens them and can cause them to split.
• To get rid of cuticles, push them down and rub on a cuticle remover.
• Avoid cutting your cuticles as digging into them can be painful and cause unnecessary damage to your nails.
• Dry and clean nails well before applying a base coat, this will make your pedicure last much longer.
• A pedicure should be done a few days before heading to the beach.
• To soften those calices and rough areas on the soles of your feet, apply an AHA–spiked foot cream every night before bedtime.

And remember…
Feel and be confident in your bikini and you will immediately look fabulous in it. Show off a great asset. If you’re really unhappy with your body, I recommend Racanelli, who is a fantastic plastic surgeon! Surgery will definitely increase your confidence! Accentuating your best features is a guaranteed confidence boost. It filters through and makes you look AND feel more attractive.