‘Sun is shining, weather is sweet…’
The storms have stopped, the sun is out, and its time to strip down to what amounts to little more than underwear. And in public too. It’s enough to make even the most toned amongst us wince. But the good new is that with a bit of careful planning, you can find a swimsuit to flatter your figure.
The main thing to remember is that you’re looking to create a balanced silhouette, using fabric, shape and cut to draw the eye to your best bits and away from anything you want to disguise.
Follow these tips to look and feel your best around the pool this summer.
For the swimmer:
If you’re serious about swimming, form has to follow function. You need a one-piece suit which is comfortable and allows a range of movement. If you’re long through the body, make sure your swimsuit is too, or you’ll find it digs in at the shoulders or rides up elsewhere. Avoid bikinis, low cut tops and high cut legs or you could expose more flesh than you planned to.
Large busted:
You’ll feel better with some support. Look for suits or bikinis with formed cups or hidden support. Halter-neck tops don’t provide quite the same level of support, but they’ll make the most of your cleavage, and draw the eye in if you have wide shoulders. Spaghetti straps can look lost above a large bust, and they can be uncomfortable too, so go for a wider strap instead. Avoid triangle bikini tops which provide no support whatsoever, and have the habit of ‘creeping’. For a great fit, look out for ranges that specify cup sizes, and those which allow you to buy bikini tops and bottoms separately.
Small busted:
You’re aiming to ‘fill out’ at the top, so look for tops which are underwired or have some padding. This is particularly true if you’re a pear shape, as you need to balance against your wider hips. You can wear triangle bikini tops, and spaghetti straps, but be careful if you have narrow shoulders as these styles will draw the eye in. Tops with patterns and embellishments are great for a small bust as they add interest. As with your large busted friend, look out for ranges that allow you to buy bikini tops and bottoms separately.
Wide across the bottom:
Avoid the urge to cover up – boy shorts and frilled skirts will only draw attention. Instead, go for a modest bikini bottom with a 3” side. Choose a plain bottom and a patterned top to draw the eye upwards. Avoid tops that draw the eye inwards as this will make your bottom half appear wider. Consider a mini-skirt bottom, but only in a figure-skimming fabric.
Short legs:
You need to add inches without resorting to stilettos on the beach! Look for styles that are cut high at the thigh, to add an extra inch or two of leg. Conversely, choosing a boy-short, or a skirted swimsuit will hide this section, making the legs appear shorter. Choosing a plain bikini bottom with a patterned top is a great trick as it draws the eye upwards, giving you a longer look. Avoid one-piece suits with vertical stripes, or any other lengthening detail – they will only make your legs look shorter.
Plus size:
Don’t use too much fabric to cover up as this will only create bulk. Use shape and texture instead to create a longer silhouette. A one-piece swimsuit with a deep v-neck and darker panels at the waist will really change your look. You can incorporate dark colours and bold patterns, but bear in mind your skin tone, or you could look washed out. Structure looks good on you too, so choose styles with formed cups, and ruching at the thigh, waist or across the tummy. Many current designs incorporate control panels across the tummy and waist, so look out for these if you carry weight around your middle.
Long and lean:
Your rangy figure can lack interest, so you need to add embellishment, particularly at the bust and hips. Choose styles with bows, frills, jewels or ties in these key areas. Bikinis are great for your body shape as they break up your long torso, and a cut-away one-piece will have the same effect. You can look great in boy shorts & skirted swimsuits, but only if you have long legs too, otherwise they’ll just make your body look longer. Horizontal stripes will add width to your body, and fabrics with a nap will add bulk – try toweling. Avoid vertical stripes or anything else lengthening, as well as dark, solid colours which can make you look too thin.
Regardless of your body shape, be prepared to spend some time taking your measurements, searching the shops and trying on. And don’t be despondent when the swimsuits you try don’t look good – this simply means they’re not the right shape for you – but when you find ‘the one’ you’ll know it.
Here’s to a long, hot summer, and effortless style around the pool.
Copyright July 2008 by Nicola Franklin
