Bathing Suit Shopping Guide

Shopping for a bathing suit can be a stressful situation for some, but no matter what your body type is, there is a suit out there that will help you look and feel gorgeous. While not everyone enjoys trying on a variety of bathing suits with hideous dressing room lighting, there are plenty of suits to choose from that flatter all body types. Whether you want to accentuate a certain part or minimize it, shopping for the ideal bathing suit is simplified with these easy tips:

Minimize Hips

If you have wider hips and thighs, avoid covering up with a boycut bathing suit bottom. The boxy shape of the shorts will cause hips and thighs to look wider, simply because the end of the shorts stretches across the widest part of the hips and legs. Minimize the appearance of your hips by choosing a higher-cut bikini or one-piece. The high cut shows off more leg, giving off the illusion you have longer legs.

When minimizing an area of the body, choose a suit that offers a pattern and monochromatic style. For example, when you want to minimize your lower half, choose a bikini bottom in a darker color, leaving a patterned or colorful option for the top. Patterns and colors attract the eye, allowing you to divert attention from your trouble areas.

Small Bust

A small bust can look great in any bathing suit. While it's tempting to find bandeau or teeny triangle tops, those styles typically cause your bust to look even smaller. Bandeau tops stretch across the bust, flattening it out and a triangle top does not offer support. Instead, look for a bathing suit with an underwire, which can help you support the girls and even boost their appearance. Look for bikini tops that feature ruffles or beading, since the added design will create an illusion of a larger bust. If you still like the style of bandeau tops, look for a patterned design with a halter strap to offer support and enhance a small bust size.

Stomach Control

If there is one body part many want to minimize, it is the stomach. When shopping for a suit, avoid tankinis. The edge of a tankini stops right around the belly button, and the skin between the tankini top and bottom is usually the focus since it breaks up the look of the suit. Minimize the stomach by choosing a suit in a matte or patterned style to camouflage any trouble areas. As with other suits, draw the attention away from the middle by choosing a suit that shows off legs, such as a high-cut one piece.

While shopping for a suit can be unpleasant, these tips will help you feel more confident when shopping. Minimizing trouble areas and accentuating the areas you do like will ensure you find that perfect suit this summer.