[Maja]

It's bathing suit season again. But if you'd rather relocate to Alaska than have to go through the dreaded task of shopping for a swimsuit, don't book your ticket yet. All you need for a positive suit-buying experience is a little know-how. Recognizing which swimsuit style is most flattering for your shape is half the battle. The other half is realizing that there are very few perfect bodies out there and that everyone is self-conscious about some part of their figure. Follow these swimsuit style tips the next time you're in the market for a new suit.

Bottom Heavy/Hippy

Women with pear-shaped figures can breathe a sigh of relief. There are plenty of options out there today to complement this body type, which, more than others, requires a suit that accentuates the positive and draws the eye away from the not-so-positive. Here's what to look for (and steer clear of).

• Bikinis or one-pieces with eye-catching tops and darker bottoms draw attention away from the hips and rear.
• Halters, push-ups and padded tops enhance the upper body.
• High-cut bottoms lengthen legs and have a slimming effect.
• Strapless styles create a horizontal line and balance the figure.
• Sporty boy shorts provide more coverage.
• Avoid: side-string or printed bottoms, which focus attention on the area you want to conceal the most.

Small Bust

Covet curves? We hear you. While you're the envy of many women because you can pull off classic string bikinis with ease, there are certain times when you want to feel a bit more va-va-voom. Enhance your assets with these suggestions.

• Bikinis with push-up, underwire or padded tops help create décolletage.
• Horizontal stripes, smocking and ruffles around the neckline create the illusion of more width.
• String bikinis can be tied tight so they won't gape or sag on a small frame.
• One-piece cutout suits create curves.
• Avoid: bandeau-style tops and dark-colored tank styles, as they diminish curves.

Also avoid vertical stripes, which will only make your figure look straighter.



Busty

Hey, you -- come out from under that tunic. While chic cover-ups are the perfect items for walks on the beach, you can't hide under them all the time. In fact, some voluminous tops make a large bust look even larger. Here's how to find a flattering, no-tunic-required swimsuit.

• Halter styles and suits with structure in the bust area, such as soft foam cups or shelf bras, provide the lift and support busty women need.
• Suits that are dark on top and light on the bottom divert attention away from the bust area.
• Suits with wide straps are more comfortable and are less likely to dig into the shoulders and back area.
• Details like ruffles, shirring and draping below the chest draw the eye downward.
• Suits with slimming panels at the sides of the bust minimize an ample top half.
• Avoid: strapless bandeaus and triangle bikini tops, which offer little or no support.

Short Torso

Women with short torsos can often appear stocky in the wrong swimsuit style. Your goal is to give the impression of length and litheness. Here's how.

• Bikinis with bottoms that sit low on the hips help expose as much skin as possible in the torso area to create length.
• Solid one-pieces with plunging necklines create a continual long appearance.
• Vertical stripes can visually lengthen the body.
• Solid bottoms with printed tops draw the eye up and create a longer look.
• Avoid: high-waisted bikini bottoms and suits with horizontal stripes in the midsection. Also, boy shorts and skirted bikinis draw the eye down and make you look shorter.

Long Torso

Women with long torsos no longer need to wear swimsuits that are too short on them, because many manufacturers these days are producing suits in special long-torso lengths. If you can't find any you like, follow these simple rules for deemphasizing the length of your middle area.

• Tankinis with high-cut bottoms are an ideal style for those with long torsos. The horizontal break in a tankini helps the body look more proportional.
• Cutout one-pieces break up the torso area.
• Horizontal stripes and detailing across the midsection balance the figure.
• Avoid: one-piece suits that are too short in the body and styles with vertical stripes and high necks.

Tummy Issues

It's time to fight the battle of the belly bulge ‑- and win. Buying a Miraclesuit is one option. Following these tips the next time you go shopping is another.

• One-pieces with side shirring, ruching or built-in control panels hide belly bulges.
• Diagonal lines, chevron patterns and dark side panels that curve in at the waist have slimming effects.
• Suits with a high Lycra content provide more tummy control.
• High-waistband bottoms flatter the midsection.
• Avoid: styles that cut across the body horizontally and two-pieces with bottoms that dig into the stomach area.

Source

[semantje]

great! i love the striped tankini

[fickledpink]

I love that green bikini! Thanks for sharing this with us

[Jennifer]

great article! thanks for posting!

[Lia]

Great bikinis! I really loved them .

[4getmeNot]

thanks for the article!

[KellyB]

Wonderful article. Thanks!

[PerfectMistake]

Ohhh but yet I dread this season! haha

[Brownshugaz]

i love halters for keeping my bad boys in

[michko970]

I love the very last suit. really cute. and I also like the mauve one the redhead is sporting.

[Maini]

Oh thanks alot!
That helped! I will be looking allright now all summer long !

[shyiskrazy2]

All of the swimsuits were so cute! Since when is having a big bust a problem??? I guess I can always dream and never know the pain of being so voluptous. Is it really a bad thing? I guess we always want what we can't have.

[SierraWren]

Great article--thanks for posting!

[Maja]

Originally Posted by Maini

Oh thanks alot!
That helped! I will be looking allright now all summer long !

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