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Women's Swimsuits Buying Guide
First things first - you don't have to have Pamela Anderson's figure to look smashing in a swimsuit. Shopping for beachwear can be a process much less torturous than you imagine. Buying a bathing suit doesn't have to hurt, as long as you know what you're looking for: maillot,  bikini or perhaps a maternity suit. Read on for fashion advice on buying the most flattering suit. And relax! This is supposed to be fun...
Buying Online
Everyone has their qualms about bathing suit shopping, but that doesn't mean that it can't be fun. Online shopping is a great alternative for self conscious shoppers and those that find trying on too tedious. Using the internet allows you a calm well-lit environment to make your decision. Many women feel anxiety or stress when trying on suits in the store; this eliminates the discomfort of shopping for the right suit in public. However, if you choose to do your shopping from home you need to keep a few things in mind: - There is no substitute for trying on. Finding the right size and most flattering cut will take you less than an hour at a store, but could take months of online returns and exchanges. If you want an easy and efficient online experience, you should find out your size and shape before surfing the web.
- Unfortunately, there is little wiggle-room when it comes to swimsuit sizes. If it doesn't fit, the return process may be lengthy.
- Make sure your e-tailer has a user-friendly return policy.
- If you aren't sure about your size, buy bigger rather than smaller. People tend to keep thing that are too small or unflattering with the hope that it will eventually fit properly. If you end up with a size too big, you're much more likely to exchange it for something more appropriate.
- Check you e-tailer's shipping time. If you wait until June to buy that bikini but it doesn't arrive until late July, you aren't getting enough bang for your buck!
Good Ideas for Most Bodies- Not sure how to flatter your frame? Go to our Figure-Flattering Clothes for Women.
- Tankinis give full coverage without the dowdiness of a one-piece suit. They also allow some sun to see your belly.
- You can mix and match top and bottom styles and colors for maximum style and strategic flattery.
- Many companies will allow you to buy the tops and bottoms in different sizes allowing for a perfect, custom fit.
- Skirtinis are becoming more mainstream, attaching a cute skirt to the bottom of a tankini. When done properly these can be flirty and flattering, no longer the oceanside version of the muumuu.
- Halter tops flatter all chest sizes and give a surprising amount of support and retro style.
- Sweetheart necklines are flirtatious and flattering to all degrees of cleavage.
- If you spend any time out of the water, a sarong is a great accessory. Tie on a summery skirt and suddenly you're dressed enough to get lunch without feeling naked.
- Buy a suit one size up then you're used to. Of course, don't wed yourself to specific sizes, but that's a good initial rule.
Trendy Suit Styles
Slim Your Waist
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- A suit that is gathered on one side gives your sides some nice definition and hides more.
- Make sure the suit is just tight enough to streamline you but not so tight that you bulge out of it.
- Mesh or crocheted trim on the sides help to bring the eye to the center of the body.
- Some bathing suits have reinforced tummy panels that help create a slimmer look.
- Suits with a small belt or sash will create the impression of a smallet waist.
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Enhance Your Chest
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- Suits with supportive cups, perhaps with underwire, will make your chest appear larger.
- Attention-getting details and cuts also help emphasize any size.
- Bold patterns and horizontal stripes make everything look bigger, your bust included.
- Triangles bikini tops and tube tops are made for smaller chested women.
- Sweetheart necklines (with a square and a v-type dip in the center) and halter tops are very flattering.
- Padding will make you stand out more, as well.
- With mix-and-match suits, opt for a lighter color on top and a darker color on bottom.
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Minimize Your Chest
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- A horizontal stripe well below your bustline will draw eyes down there, beyond your chest.
- High necks and square necklines draw eyes up and away.
- Try to get emphasis somewhere else specific.
- Ruffles or a skirt below?
- An open back?
- Support is key. Hidden underwire, or at least a shelf bra, keeps you from sagging.
- Stick to darker colors and skip the string bikinis.
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Slim Your Hips and Rear
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- Bright, patterned tops and dark, simple bottoms will draw the eye up and minimize the appearance of your bottom half.
- A full-coverage bottom will help support and streamline you.
- Avoid hip-height details; they draw the eye down.
- A short sarong or skirted suit will do wonders to turn your perceived problems into womanly curves.
- Buy a suit that fits. A too-small suit will make your hips and buttocks look larger.
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Short Torso
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You don't want your bathing suit to bunch up and sag when it gets wet. To avoid: - Try a two peice - a bikini or tankini splits the body, which makes it appear longer.
- Avoid horizontal stripes; they shorten and widen the body.
- Vertical lines (think pinstripes) will always make you look taller.
- Avoid detailing at the midsection. This will draw attention to a shorter torso, and make it look broader.
- If you choose a one piece, make sure it isn't cut too high by your thighs. This will make your legs look longer, which will effectively shorten the torso.
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Long Torso
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- If you have a lot of trouble finding something that fits, try an extra-long bathing suit, They aren't as common, but they can really make a difference!
- A two peice suit is okay as long as it is a tankini or bikini cut (not low rise). Low rise suits wil expose more stomach and make it look even longer.
- Horizontal stripes shorten the body, but also widen it. If you have a wider midsection, avoid this pattern. If you are long and lean, this is a really good option.
- You know how a turtleneck makes a persons neck look long? Same goes for a bathing suit. If your suit has a high neck or tall front, it will both emphasize and increase the length of your upper body.
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Lengthening Legs
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- A high-cut thigh will make your legs appear longer. Be careful though! A high-thigh bikini can be risque, but a high cut one peice looks classic and retro.
- Boy-shorts and board shorts will make short legs look stubby.
- A high cut suit with a sheer skirt on top will lenghten your legs and draw attention, but at the same time will disguise an imperfect rear.
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Dreaded Bulges
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- Regardless of the labeled size, if the suit's fabric and cut squeezes you in such a way that you pour out of it in awkward places, you're going to have to look elsewhere.
- Look to all sides of you, when in the suit, and make sure it doesn't grip you uncomfortably and make you bulge out at its edges. See picture at left for an example of well-fitting suit.
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Athletic Suits
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- When you're using your suit to really swim, you want to focus on comfort and durability.
- Brand name suits like Speedo, Jantzen and Tyr are popular because they are the highest quality.
- Don't want to spend top dollar? Buy last season's style.
- If you're swimming in a pool, make sure your suit has been treated for chlorine resistance. Hand wash your suit in fresh water after each swim.
- Make sure you can move in your suit without any bunching, pulling or stretching. This has to make it through all your rigorous motions.
- The suit should lie flat and stay in place through all your motions.
- Make sure you're adequately covered in the rear and chest.
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Swimsuit Care
After you've found the perfect swimsuit for your size and shape, by all means take good care of it and make sure it lasts. TZ sports has a full list of care tips but here are the highlights: - Rinse with cold water immediately after each use.
- Air dry your suit out of direct sunlight.
- Don't machine wash or use a dryer.
External Links- About: Buying a swimsuit for competitive and fitness swimmers.
- eBay: A user guide with helpful advice, written entirely in bold and capital letters.
- Happy Grrls: Friendly, easy advice for all body types.
- iVillage: How to buy a bathing suit.
- Lopez Writers Guild: A moment of humor and calm in a sea of middle aged swim suit shopping.
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