How to find the perfect swimsuit for your body shape
Swimwear shopping – two words that strike fear into the heart of many women, no matter their shape, size, skin type or love of summer. But we’ve got you covered with bathers for every body.
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Swimwear shopping. Two words that strike fear into the heart of many women, no matter their shape, size, skin type or love of summer.
So, how do you find the best swimwear to suit your body, and just as importantly, flatter your body confidence?
Melbourne stylist and fashion author Jo Blankfield agrees that shopping for new bathers can be fraught.
SCROLL DOWN FOR SWIMSUITS FOR EVERY BODY SHAPE
“For many women, wearing swimwear can feel the same as stepping out in public in their underwear,” says the fashionsaboutyou.com.au founder.
“Combine this with post-winter hibernation and you can feel exposed, so I always remind my clients to select what they feel best in.
“A bikini is not for everyone. I also like to remind my clients that when you wear your swimsuit, everyone else will be in swimwear too so you won’t stand out.”
The personal stylist, who works with women of all ages and sizes, says there are ways to make the shopping experience more enjoyable.
“We need to remember to be kind to ourselves and look at the positives rather than focusing on the negatives,” Blankfield advises.
“Go swimwear shopping with a mindset of looking at what you want to enhance rather than what you want to hide.”
Kay Howitt, founder of homegrown swim brand Monte & Lou, is not only a swimwear designer, but as a breast cancer survivor has an acute understanding of a woman’s ever-changing body — and the challenges faced in finding a swimsuit that supports and looks good.
“We tend to associate shopping for our swimsuit with the horror combination of bad lighting, lack of service and fast fashion swimwear that doesn’t have any structure,” Howitt says. “This process can be quite confronting for any woman and this is one of the reasons why we stock our swimwear in specialist swim retailers who are there every step of the way to advise on fitting and style choice.
“Our brand ethos is all about the fit and the hidden internal support specifically designed for a variety of different figure types, such as hidden internal wires or power mesh to support a larger bust, straps that offer adjustment as well side boning and removable soft cups.”
Blankfield recommends researching online prior to hitting the shops so you know what styles are out there.
“Have an idea of what you’re looking for but be flexible to try other options,” she says.
“Having a plan will keep emotional reactions to a minimum.
“When you start trying options, don’t just rip off ones you don’t like and try the next. Take a moment to look at what works and what doesn’t, and consider this when looking or trying on the next one. Process of elimination is your friend.”
Blankfield also advises to prepare for bathers shopping by wearing underwear that doesn’t dig in and can be hidden under the garment, and clothes and shoes that are easily taken on and off.
She suggests you go shopping feeling good about yourself — that means, when you have the time and aren’t rushed, and even doing your hair and make-up or shaving or waxing before stepping under the often harsh glare of changeroom lights.
“It’s amazing how much more positive it can be when you have your face on for the day and when you have a positive mindset and aren’t distracted or stressed,” she says.
“And remember this — every body is a beach body.”
HOW TO COMBAT SPECIFIC BODY CONCERNS
MUFFIN TOP?
Try high-waisted or frills, or a one piece
LARGER BOTTOM OR THIGHS?
Go for a skirted style or shorts/tankini
BIGGER HIPS?
Distract at the top. It’s all about the cut at the bottom
SHORT LEGS?
Go a high-cut brief to lengthen legs
SMALL BUSTED?
Go padded and/or frills/texture on the top
TUCKSHOP ARMS?
Try a frilled sleeve or off-shoulder style
SWIMSUITS FOR EVERY BODY TYPE
BIG BUSTED
The most common frustrations for big-busted women is the challenge of finding a style that supports your bust, flatters the rest of your body and gives you ample coverage without drawing attention to your chest.
“Prints and styles with stitching or panelling will break down the bust area and create more balance while a high-waisted style will define your waist and create hourglass curves,” Blankfield says.
Look for styles with underwire and accurate cup sizes for a better fit, and stay away from string bikinis and bandeau styles.
ATHLETIC
While slimmer and athletic-shaped women often struggle to find a style that gives them shape, Blankfield says it’s possible to find a swimsuit without saggy bits of fabric and a gaping bust.
“For styles that create shape, look for padded cups, crossover and gathered styles and extra details such as frills, wrapped options and cut-outs,” she says.
“A one-shouldered style will break up the straightness of your body and a high-waisted bikini or waisted detailing will define your waist or gathered/tie-up bottoms.”
TALL
Taller women and those with a long torso should focus on styles that don’t add extra length, “which is often what bathers are designed to do,” Blankfield says.
The stylist suggests steering clear of vertical prints and V-neck styles that draw attention to torso length and low-cut bottoms, and instead opt for longline tops, crossover and cut-out details and horizontal prints while one-shouldered and bandeau options will suit longer lengths as will details that break up the body horizontally.
CURVY
Rather than trying to hide your curves, why not embrace them?
Blankfield says enhancing and flattering your curves can be achieved with a combination of a top that supports and suits your bust line and lifts the bust away from your waist, and bottoms that accentuate and smooth through the waist.
“Alternatively, a bottom with a frilled overlay, skirt or side ruching will suit well too (as) these combos will lengthen and define your waist and enhance your curves,” she says.
SUN SENSITIVE
Given our skin cancer risk Down Under, demand is growing among women looking for stylishly covered-up cozzies as we become increasingly sun aware.
Blankfield says designers are answering the demand with stylish options for the sun-smart shopper.
“Rashies are now a fashionable swimwear option, with many available on the market in a range of styles, prints and sizes,” she says. “Pair a cropped rash vest with a high-cut bottom to get the coverage and the look.”
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