Swimsuits

Shopping for swim suits doesn’t have to be stressful.  All you need is to know your body shape and the style options to accentuate the best parts of your shape.  Keep reading this article to learn what your body shape is, get some shopping tips and swimwear recommendations that will flatter every body type.

 

How to find your body shape

Regardless of height, every body is different and come in all different shapes and sizes.  While your size may change during your lifetime, your frame is consistent and knowing the basics of your silhouette can help you understand how to accentuate your assets and flatter your shape.  Shape is used to describe your silhouette, which generally looks at your shoulder width in relevance to your hip width and your upper, mid and lower half are proportioned to each other.

Here are the several types of body shape:

• Shape A – Spoon or Pear: you have narrow shoulders, defined waist and curvy hips that give you a feminine silhouette.  You should be aiming to elongate and balance your figure by accentuating your upper body.
• Shape H – Rectangle: your hips and shoulders are proportionate.  Your small bust and generally slim frame is perfect for trying out contemporary trends.  Your clothes should highlight the thinnest part of your waist, creating curves and showing off your proportioned hips and shoulders.
• Shape O – Apple or Triangle: your arms and legs tend to be longer and leaner than the other body shapes.  Try to minimize your midsection by highlighting your shoulders and legs.
• Shape V – Inverted Triangle: you’ve got narrow hips and slim legs, so you can get away with almost anything on your bottom half.  V shapes also tend to have quite a big bust.  Draw attention away from your broad shoulders and draw attention to your slim body.
• Shape X – Hourglass: your defined hourglass waist and proportioned shoulders and hips mean you’ve got a feminine shape that’s easy to dress.  Highlight your curves instead of hiding them by emphasizing your waist.

 

How to measure to confirm your body shape

• Bust: measure at the fullest point of your bust with a soft measuring tape.  Make sure that the tape is not too tight by breathing in and out.
• Waist: your waist is the narrowest part of your torso.  The measuring tape you bring around your waist should sit tightly, but it shouldn’t dig into your skin.  Don’t suck in your stomach either.
• Hips: measure your hips at the widest point below your waist.  Remember to remove your clothing and to keep your heels together so that the measurement is as accurate as possible.
• High Hips: this is also a hip measurement but taken in a different place than the previous one.  It is taken at the top of the hip curve, not at the widest point.  You need to focus the upper swell of the hip over your pelvic bone.

You can use this Body Shape Calculator to enter your measurements in either inches or centimeters to confirm your body shape.

 

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Swim suit shopping guide

Now that you’ve found your body shape, let’s look at how we can highlight your best assets even more with recommended swim suits.

 

Shapes X & A: you want to slim your hips and highlight your curves.

Do’s:

1. bring focus to your top with lighter colors or with fun details and pretty patterns – try halter tops
2. go for a higher cut bottom to create the illusion of longer, leaner legs.

Don’ts:

1. stay away from longer bottoms, such as boy-shorts as it will give the illusion of bigger hips.

 

Shapes A & H: you want to boost your bust.

Do’s:

1. look for tops with padding or underwire because it gives shape to small busts.
2. go for extras like ruffles, beading and pleating.  These will add bulk and visual interest.

Don’ts:

1. stay away from bandeaus.  These will flatten the bust even more.

 

Shape O:  you want some belly control.

Do’s:

1. go for a high-cut bottom or low-cut top because it draws eyes away from your middle.
2. try on one-piece suits that have tummy control material.

Don’ts:

1. skip tankinis, unless you find one that is un-clingy.  Otherwise, it’ll make your top too tight and your tummy sticking out.
2. Stay away from shine because it highlights every lump and bump.  Matte is much better.

 

Shapes V & X: you want to support a big bust.

Do’s:

1. Underwires or a hidden bra is a must!  Try going for halter tops.

Don’ts:

1. If you’re bigger than a D cup, don’t go for triangle tops because it’s not enough support.
2. Stay away from high necklines, unless you want a uniboob.

 

Shapes O & X: you want to flatter your curves.

Do’s:

1. Try a wrap style – it’s a waist whittler if you have a thick middle.
2. Go for solid colors rather than patterns to make you look slimmer.

Don’ts:

1. Don’t run away from stripes, just be sure they’re vertical or angles across your body.
2. Bikinis are fine, just stay away from thin string ties which can dig and create bulges.

 

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Best stores to buy swim suits:

 

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The best time to buy swim suits:

Believe it or not, there are certain times that are best to shop for swim suits.  Here are some tips to help you.

1. Timing is everything.  Start browsing for swim suits in early spring, when the hottest, newest looks hit the floor.  Even if you’re not ready to take the plunge and purchase a suit yet, you can just look at the latest trends which can be helpful for when you are ready and may even get excited to try something new.
2. Be an early bird.  The time of day can also make a difference in your swimsuit shopping outlook.  Many enjoy shopping first thing in the morning when they are bright eyed and feeling their best.  Also, the mid-morning hours tend to be quieter, so salespeople are available to offer more assistance.  Shopping for swimsuits can be intimidating and stressful so it’s nice to have a helpful salesperson assisting in the process.
3. Holidays are your friend.  Beyond sales at your favorite stores, try checking back during summer holidays, like Memorial Day or Labor Day, or waiting until end-of-season markdowns for swimsuit bargains.  But if there’s a special style you’ve been eyeing, don’t be surprised if it’s sold out way before then.

 

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Did you know? Most stores complete their swimwear purchase almost a full year before the season and many swimwear brands are produced only once per year, so reorders are not always possible.  Once sizes are sold out, most of the time they’re not restocked.  So, if you spot a swimsuit you really like, scoop it up right away!

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