Swimsuits to Suit Your Body Shape

10 Style Tips for Choosing the Right One-Piece

Jul 1, 2009

Avoid Cut-away swimsuits if you have bulges, Fashion Week Photos

One-piece swimsuits are not only the domain of women in serious need of some stomach camouflage. A swimsuit can be sexier than a bikini and more figure flattering too.

Women who wear swimsuits are those who usually want a bit more coverage than a bikini.

Choose carefully and a swimsuit can take pounds off your figure; the shape construction and color/pattern all play an important part. Style-savvy women have long learnt the benefit of ruching to hide figure flaws and how patterns and colors can hide a multitude of sins.

Take your time. Be patient. Try a number of swimsuit styles, in different cuts, leg-lengths (high leg, medium, low), patterns and block colors.

Swimsuit Style Tips

Here are 10 swimsuit style tips that can help you achieve the most flattering look:

If you want to draw attention away from your bottom half then choose a one-piece with detailing on the top. To deflect attention from a large bust then a deep V-neck style will be more flattering Go for detailing around the waist and bottom half, such as a buckle.
Wide-set straps on the top half will provide support for a fuller bust and also balance out full hips. Spaghetti straps or bandeau styles will accentuate a big bust.
A swimsuit with a high-leg (cut to the hip bone) will lengthen legs. However, if you have cellulite or dimples this style will not do you any favors.
Ruching at the stomach will hide a big tum. Ruching on the top half will accentuate curves and create the illusion of a fuller bust.
Backless (low back) styles will distract attention away from a flabby stomach or big bust. Another benefit is a fabulous tanned back.
Forget cut-away swimsuits (monokinis) if you have a big stomach or hips. This is strictly stick-insect territory.
Ruffles, frills and pleats are great for adding some curves and femininity to boyish body shapes.
Visible seams can shape the body and give you a waist. Side stripes can give the illusion of curves, particularly good for apple body shapes.
Darker, single-block colors are more slimming but some patterns hide figure flaws too. Avoid horizontal stripes if you want to conceal a stomach or full bust. Unless you are very slim, a medium-sized pattern or print on a dark base is often more flattering. If you have a large bust but small bottom and narrow hips, a two-tone swimsuit with a lighter color at the bottom will draw attention away from the bustline. Visa-versa for those who are pear-shaped.
Women who are long in the torso are likely to be more comfortable in a tankini. There is the added bonus of allowing some flexibility when it comes to tanning. This style is a great for hiding large stomachs, providing the top is long enough to cover the accompanying shorts/briefs.

Solar Tan Thru Swimsuits

For those who want to get an all-over tan but still prefer to wear a one-piece then there's the revolutionary tan thru swimsuit. The fabric is made up of honeycombed-mesh which allows around one-third of the suns rays to penetrate. This gives a gradual tan and no tanning lines! Simply Yours is currently the exclusive stockist for the UK. US buyers can check out similar sites such as solartanthrusuits.com.

To find the right one-piece, it's important to experiment with many styles/colors. Don't compromise on comfort too. Once you find the best shape to truly complement your figure, perseverance will have paid off in the end.

The copyright of the article Swimsuits to Suit Your Body Shape in Women’s Fashion is owned by Gill Hart. Permission to republish Swimsuits to Suit Your Body Shape in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.