For many women, the onset of summer brings a feeling of trepidation, at the thought of puting on a swimsuit. Exposing your white body parts to the sun after so long under wraps involves the decision of whether to go for a one-piece or a bikini.
Whilst this partly depends on how much your body has weathered the storm of past seasons, or how often you work out in the gym, it also critically depends on how confident you feel in your own skin. According to stylist Gok Wan, author of How to Look Good Naked, more than 90% of British women say that they dislike their bodies.
Learn to Accentuate Your Best Bits
Developing bodily self-confidence is about learning to be positive about your body, and discovering how to accentuate the good bits and play down the bad. Choosing the right styles are just as important for swimwear as for any other item in your wardrobe; particularly when it comes to a bikini, as no other swimwear can subconsciously make you feel as fat. Choose an inappropriate cut , and it will highlight every lump and bump rather than conceal it. Shop cleverly by knowing which styles suit your body shape and you don't have to worry so much about feeling self-conscious on the beach.
The Advantages of a Bikini
In addition to its obvious sex appeal, a bikini exposes more of your skin to the sun and therefore offers greater tanning opportunities. One-piece swimsuits (particularly monokinis) can leave you with some very funny tanning marks, and whilst it’s a good idea to start off wearing one; after your initial exposure to the sun, most of us yearn to don on a bikini at some point, (but some of us are too afraid to do so without frightening the neighbors on the beach!)
Finding the Right Fit
Many women, size-wise, are not in proportion, so buying a one-size-fits-all top and bottom used to present problems. In the past, if you were big-busted with a small butt, you had to put up with baggy bikini bottoms, or if you were pear-shaped then it was often a question of fighting to fill up their top half! Nowadays at least, most major swimwear stockists sell tops and bottoms separately, and even more importantly, sell a variety of different style tops and bottoms, to suit a variation in figure types. From triangular, halter, and bandeau tops, to high-cut, low-cut or boy shorts-type briefs, the choice is endless.
Before you shop you need to know which styles are most likely to flatter your figure. Rather than buy a bikini because you like the look of it, be willing to try on a number of different styles, even those that do not appeal to you on the hanger. Often the plainest and most boring bikinis can look surprisingly flattering on.
Swimwear Retailers
Swimwear retailers such as Victoria’s Secret and Figleaves offer a huge range of bikinis with a combination of different tops and bottoms. Online celebrity-style retailer Asos, (who have just announced record profits, despite the current credit crunch) have a number of winning designs, including a Jessica Alba inspired Zebra-stripe bikini with red beading detail, highlighted by the Mail Online as one of Asos’s top 5 bestsellers, due to its similarity to Dolce & Gabbana styling and on-trend LA Luxe appeal. For those with a fuller bust, Karen Miller’s zebra padded plunge bikini top,available up to a D cup, gives added support. ASOS bikinis can be bought as separates, giving you flexibility of sizing and the chance to ring the changes with mix and match tops and bottoms.
For women who need a larger cup size then in addition to Figleaves, stockists include Bravissimo and Storm-in-a-D-cup.com.
Tips for Finding the Best Bikini for Your Figure
- Triangular, spaghetti-strap tops are better suited to women with small busts. Bikini tops with soft padding can add curves and confidence, providing a lift for small breasts. For petite frames, string ties on tops and bottoms give the appearance of width. A frill can make you look curvy.
- Pear-shaped women need to divert attention from their hips and butt, so choose a bikini with detailing on the top. Briefs with waist detailing can also detract attention, such as a mock belt or simple frill, providing they don’t also overspill onto the hips. Tie-sided briefs will make your hips look bigger, so will low-cut bottoms. However, high-cut briefs flatter things and make your legs look longer.
- Conversely, big-busted women, who wish to minimize their bust, should look for bikini bottoms that are have some interesting detailing (e.g. a belt, frill or embellishments) to divert attention from the top half. Choose a bikini top that separates the bust, rather than pushing your breasts together, like a bandeau or balcony style, but make sure it has a lot of support.
- Dark or strong bright colors, such as black or orange are slimming, pale shades are not. Large prints, with a dark background can work well too. If you have a small frame, horizontal stripes will widen a figure, and for the more well endowed or those who are short, diagonal and vertical stripes will elongate your body.
- If you have a large stomach and wide waist, then according to Gok Wan, it is possible to lessen the depth of your tummy by emphasizing your bust, pushing it up and forwards.
- High-waisted bikini bottoms such as in the current ‘50s-inspired two-pieces can go someway towards disguising a big stomach. According to Look magazine, 5th May 2008, short-style bottoms make your waist and torso look wider, so stay away from them if you are chunky round the middle.
If you still feel self conscious about wearing a two-piece, then cover it up with one of this season’s fashionable beach caftans (or kaftan). Avoid sheer fabrics as this will highlight your lumps and bumps. A semi-sheer caftan at thigh-length looks sexy and gives you just enough coverage to give you confidence. Unlike sarongs, caftans are less of a cover-up and more of a fashion statement.
