How to Choose the Best Swim Suit for Your Body Type

Brace yourself.

Swim suit season has arrived, with a fury. I’m counting down till a South Beach trip right now, and I MUST have my body ready – or at least choose a suit that is as flattering as possible.

With swim season here, women all over the country are dreading the idea of going bathing suit shopping.

For that reason, what great timing to share some tips from Nancy LeWinter, editorial director of OneStopPlus.com, about how to find the right / most flattering bathing suit for your body typ

Pull out all your old swimsuits and try them on.

While your size may have changed, your shape probably is pretty much the same. Ignore the patterns and colors and just focus on which styles seem to flatter your shape most and least. For example, all your one-pieces are just too long for your torso and gap in the middle, so maybe it’s time to try a tankini.

If you have a larger bust….

Go for halters, underwires, and additional back-straps are great for support. Tankinis are also a great body-balancer if you’re smaller on the bottom.

Smaller Bust….

It’s a great year for ruffles, bows and embellishments which all look fabulous on smaller busted women. Bolder prints on top and solids on bottom are also flattering.

If you don’t love your midriff…

Tankinis are wonderful because the fall straight over the waist. Prints can be very flattering and the new tummy technology will work wonders. If you’re straight through the middle, create the illusion of a waist with one of the many belted or ruched at the waist suits.

Hips and Thighs:

If you’re classic hourglass, the new boy shorts look great…very Marilyn. If larger on the bottom, skirtinis will be very flattering. To slim the thighs and elongate the legs, try a bold tankini top with a darker bottom.

General Tip:

The more Lycra or Spandex in the fabric, the more of a minimizer effect in the fit. 15% to 20% will have an overall slimming effect but make sure you don’t go too small because it will create bulges elsewhere.