How To Choose The Best Swimsuit For Your Body Type – An Utterly Honest Guide.

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In my nearly two decades of a fashion retail career, I have met so many different types of women. And, I am still amazed at how they all had the same question when coming out of the fitting room: “How do I look?”. Especially when they were hunting for the perfect swimsuit. I can affirm that it is probably the item that most women dread buying. As we head out to the beach so many of us spend time feeling self-conscious about how we look in our bikinis.

To those of you worrying about the size of your waist or the expanse of your cellulite, I say: relax. The idea that every woman needs to be slim and cellulite-free is rightfully coming to an end.

I firmly believe no matter what her age or dress size, every woman can look great on the beach.

The way we feel about our body, and the mindset with which we approach showing much of it in public, are far more important than the circumference of our thighs or the perkiness of our bottom.

While there isn’t one swimsuit that will fit everybody there certainly is one out there that is perfect for you. Some clever styling tricks and simple preparation can go a long way.

But which one is the right one? With so many options around, it can be difficult to pick the best option. So, I put together my list of the “golden rules” of summer swimwear shopping in hopes that you will have a better experience.

When I am in the mood to buy a new bikini I take into account fit, confidence, purpose, and quality.

You can also read 15 seriously gorgeous summer outfit ideas and 10 simple summer style hacks that really work.

Fit

You know when a bathing suit feels right because it catches your eye right away. Like love at first sight!

Selecting the best swimsuit that suits your body shape and personal style will make you feel comfortable and confident. Know and embrace your body type. That means whether you have large hips or a flat bust you do not need to change anything to look good in a swimsuit. Instead, choose the style that suits your body the best.

Here are a few utterly honest tips that teach you how to choose the best swimsuit for your body type

for a fuller bust:

• Ditch triangle bikini tops: they look best on smaller-busted women as they won’t give much support; same for skinny straps
• Reject high necklines…it will end in a “uni-boob”
• Avoid padded push-ups, your boobies have to stay on the torso rather than just below your neck
• Choose a halter bra that has a band under the bust and wider straps that tie behind your neck for the best option; an underwired or a built-in bra can be a good alternative
• Select a V-shaped neckline which naturally flatters a larger bust and creates a lovely silhouette

here are some examples!

for a smaller bust:

• Opt for ruffles or horizontal stripes that will add volume on top
• Forget about bandeaus as they’ll flatten you out even more
• Remember push-ups and underwires are your best friends!
• Avoid flat triangle tops and instead choose structured and padded ones
• Go for a pretty pattern that distracts attention from a straight torso

Those are my fav styles for smaller busts:

or slimmer hips and to minimize your booty:

• Shrink that brief! The most common mistake women make when swimsuit shopping is to buy a size up to cover their wobbly bits. In fact, the opposite is true. Buy your exact size — or even a size smaller — to create the illusion of looking smaller than you are, and make sure that the suit bottom fits tightly against your body (but make sure it doesn’t dig in into your skin). Be brave: showing two or three inches of buttock cheek is important — since while you are at the beach the only thing you see is your swimsuit fabric against your skin. A smaller brief gives the illusion of smaller derriere. The less that is going on there, the less is going on there! 🙂
• The high-rise cut is fashionable at the moment but a bathing suit bottom that sits lower on the hip is generally more flattering for bigger bottoms.
• Rings or details on the sides also give the illusion of smaller hips.
• A darker color bottom with a lighter color top is another trick to minimize your bottom and bring the focus up.

Those are the ones I like!

for tummy control:

• Select matte fabrics over shiny ones which will highlight every imperfection of your body tone
• Choose a style that enhances your legs while giving you more camouflage in the bust and tummy area
• Wear one-piece wrap styles that flatten the belly to make your figure appear leaner; avoid low rise bottoms

for plus sizes:

• Choose vertical stripes to elongate the silhouette
• Avoid string tie bikinis because they tend to create bulges and dig into your skin
• Wear bright colors on areas you want to emphasize and dark colors on areas you want to minimize focus
• Steer clear of large-patterned swimsuits and bikinis; opt for solid colors or small intricate prints that create the illusion of a longer and leaner torso
• Keep on hand a sarong or cover-up that will flatten your stomach or larger legs when you head for a bite to eat

Here you can find some super flattering styles!

test drive your bikini:

Before you buy, try those moves to make sure your swimsuit fits and is comfortable!

• Bend over and scoop your bust to make sure nothing comes out of your top
• Adjust the straps to ensure that they fit snug enough to give you support
• Place your hand underneath your suit bottom and stretch it a little to make certain it’s not see-through
• Check if the suit rolls onto your cheeks or digs into your hips; if so, go a size up
• With a one-piece suit, pinch and pull the tummy area; if there is a gap larger than your wrist most likely it will lose elasticity and get baggy after few wears

Comfort & Confidence

An important factor when choosing the best swimsuit is to pay attention to how you feel when you try it on. Comfort and confidence are two different issues but both should lead you to forget that you’re wearing a swimsuit. In doing so, you will enjoy the moment rather than making you feel self-conscious.

Whether it’s more coverage or less, be comfortable.

Choose swimwear that is snug, but not too constricted, so when it gets wet it won’t become too loose and unflattering.
I recommend purchasing a swimsuit that isn’t sold as a set so you can pick a different size for the top and bottom. Also, keep in mind that often swimwear runs a size smaller than standard clothing so do not be scared of choosing the larger number 🙂

Purpose

Something else to keep in mind is what kind of activities you do during your day at the beach. Do you spend the day building sandcastles and chasing the waves with your kids or sunbathe around the clock focusing on getting the perfect tan?
If you are planning some activities like surfing or paddle boarding you might want to choose a swimsuit able to support you on those.
Don’t forget a matching beach cover-up or sarong for your trips to and from the bar 🙂

see some here!

Quality 

When I check the quality of a bikini I look at the stitching, the compression, and the stretch of the fabric.

A fabric that feels too thin will not conform well to the body and will get baggy as soon as it gets wet. Make sure the fabric is instead thick enough or double-lined to avoid the see-through effect as soon that you hit the water.

The material also has to be stretchy because it makes the swimsuit more fitting and also long-lasting. I recommend choosing something with 10-15% elastane in the fabric.

With swimwear, without doubt, stick to the rule of trying it on and I advise doing so at home rather than in-store. This is because most of the lights used in fitting rooms are quite glaring and unflattering to everyone. They can show cellulite even on supermodels.

With natural light, you will have a better idea of how well the suit fits and will look in the real world.

Color choice

Choosing the right color for your skin tone can make a lot of difference.

If you are pale don’t be scared of colorful swimsuits. Sky blue or cobalt, for example, look great on fair complexions. Animal prints are a good option as well. On the other hand, nothing shows off a tan like a white swimsuit.

A black one-piece swimsuit is a timeless option that always looks elegant.

A little aftercare guide

Aftercare is really important and will help your swimwear to last for many years.

• Always rinse your bathing suit thoroughly in cold water after the beach or the pool.
• Stick to handwashing with a delicate detergent and absolutely avoid the dryer.
• Do not stretch or wring your swimsuit as it stretches the elastic and it won’t regain its shape.
• Dry your suit out of direct sunlight or the color can fade.
• Be careful with sun creams to avoid stains, (but please do always wear appropriate sun protection!)

Last-minute tricks

I firmly believe that “the bikini body” is developed during winter with the help of a solid routine of healthy eating and exercise. However, there are a few things that we can do to feel more confident on the beach and in front of the camera because, let’s face it, while on holiday we take lots of pics 🙂

• Drink several glasses of water daily to help the lymphatic drainage system and reduce water retention
• Walking and running are the best exercises to slim you silhouette
• Reducing refined carbs such as white bread and pasta in the days before your holidays can help banish bloating
• A blast of cold water on your legs every morning can give a boost to your circulation a tighten your skin

At the beach…

Now that you have spent enough time choosing the perfect swimsuit it’s time to forget about it.

Rather than focusing on how you look in a bikini focus on living a healthy, balanced lifestyle all year round. Rocking what we’ve got is the key to feeling confident. We are all unique and beautiful in our own way. A woman that is at peace with her body is always fascinating.
Worry less and enjoy the summer!

Check also the Summer Capsule Wardrobe 2020 or follow me on Instagram for more tips!