Womens Swim Wear Shopping Tips

"Fashion Advice on How to Select the
Perfect Swim Wear for Your Body Figure!"

Courtesy of Always for Me

• What swimsuits to invest in
• Selecting the right style for your body figure

Many women associate beach wear with skimpy little bikinis when in fact, swim wear has something for everybody - from post-preg, plus-size to skinny figures. So whether you love or dread putting on a swimsuit I'm quite sure you'll find a piece that will suit your needs!

Amidst all the mass varieties of swimsuits out there, how do you find the one that will make your body look your best?

Let's find out:

What Swimsuits to Invest In?

However if you're a chic fashionista, then you should definitely secure in a black bathing suit - either as bikini, tankini and(/or) one piece bathing suit. Black is very elegant and classy, slimming and versatile. It's good for relaxing by the pool or when you're out on the beach. You can never go wrong with black!

The Swimwear Essentials:

• Black swimsuit
• Fun but versatile swimsuit (eg. ruffle bikini in neutral blue)
• Simple swimsuit cover-up

I prefer a bikini because I can mix the bottom and tos, which you can do the same with tankini swimwear.

Tips on building a solid and functional swimwear drawer:

Courtesy of Toast.co.uk

• Set yourself apart from the rest in black swimwear by looking for details and styles that reflect your personal taste.
Eg. gold hardware if you're super-classy, knots and ruffles if you're a Romantic by heart
• The best way to build a classy and versatile swimsuit drawer, is to secure bikinis in solid neutrals
Such as dark navy blue, olive green, browns, whites, etc. Two toned neutrals (eg. dark blue with white polkadots) are good too. Learn more about neutrals
• If you love a piece of swimwear buy more of the same style
• Although black looks slimming on the bust and hips it can make you look shorter
That's because if it contrasts with the color of your skin, then it will have the opposite effect by visually "cutting up" your frame. So consider your height when buying black swimwear. Anything that blends with your skintone slims your body frame and it's timeless too
• Secure at least one beach dress in a lightweight and breathable cotton fabric and not least in a versatile style
• Also buy a a blouse and/or wrap skirt for easy cover up

Best Womens Swim Wear for Your Body Shape

Courtesy of CoutureCandy. Example of hourglass body shape.

Basically, a proportional body shape has an upper or lower body that are in line with each other - neither of the upper and lower half is prominent than the other.

That's why an hourglass body shape is considered ideal. It's simply pleasing to the eye, and the defined waist makes you look slim along with giving you curves on all the right places. Learn more about how to improve your body proportions.

An Hourglass silhouette is not a must but it can make prominent body parts look less obvious.

So how can we ever achieve a proportional body shape?

The first thing you need to do is to determine your body shape and select womens swim wear that complement the shape of your body.

Like for example, if you want to minimize curves opt for a ruffle bikini top and simple bottom. Or if you lack curves (you have little to no waist definition), striped bikini can add width on upper and lower body.

Let's take a closer look at my womens swim wear suggestions for each of each body shape:

Hourglass Body Shape

Goal: Accentuate waist and body proportions

So look for:

Courtesy of TheOutnet

• Two-piece swimsuits
• Dramatic prints and details to play up your curves
• Darker colored beachwear if you want to slim down your curves
• Horizontal striped top and bottom. They widen your shoulder and hips a little and make your waist look trimmer
• Solid colored bikini with a different colored waistline
• Two-piece with details along the waistline (like for example ruffles, beads, etc.)
• One piece bathing suits with waist details such as belt, cut-out and shirring

Pear Body Shape

Goal: Draw attention away from your lower part by minimizing and/or adding more interest to your shoulders and bust

So look for:

Courtesy of Harrods

• Printed top (florals, horizontal stripes, horizontal polka dots)
• Detailed top (ruffles, sequins)
• Light colored top
• Bandeau and strapless top (helps making your shoulders look wider)
• Racerback or tank top (broadens sloped shoulders)
• String bottom (boy shorts only cut your legs across, making your hips and butt look bigger)
• High cut bottom (elongates your thighs and legs)

• Printed bottom
• Detailed bottom
• Light colored bottom
• Boy shorts

Inverted Triangle Body Shape

Goal: Slim your shoulders or simply draw attention to your great legs

So look for:

Courtesy of Browns Fashion (top), Betsey Johnson (bottom)

• Solid, dark colored top like for example black, dark navy blue, olive green
• Halter-necks that start wide right under your arm pits
• Scoop necks
• Wide straps complement your shoulders (doesn't make them look bigger in comparison)
• Boy shorts to create hips
• Printed bottom, like for example floral, polka dots, horizontal stripes
• Light-colored bottom
• Detailed bottom, like for example cute ruffles, belt or ties
• Swimdress

• Bandeau top
• Strapless top
• Scoop neck one-piece
• Print, detailed, light colored top
• Tankinis

Learn more about how to dress your Inverted Triangle body shape

Rectangle Body Shape

Goal: Create a waist and elongate your torso

So look for:

Courtesy of Nordstrom

• Side cut-out one-piece bathing suit
• Belted one-piece batching suit
• V-neck string bikini
• Black or dark brown (any solid dark colors will do) trim or border details around the waist
• Solid bottom and detailed top (draws the eye upward and gives your torso a leaner look)
• One piece with plunging neckline
• Draped, surplice detail that pinches in at the waist
• Strapless top will draw the eye upward
• Detailed or light colored bottom and top (ruffles, rings, bows, etc.) to create width on top and around your hips

Apple Body Shape

Goal: Trim down your mid-riff and draw the attention up to your bust or to your great legs

So look for:

Courtesy of JC Penney

• A good supportive bra top
• Anything that supports the stomach (like for example tankinis)
• Ruching or shirring at the sides and middle give the appearance of definition to the waistline
• Darker colors around the waist and brighter colors above will also help in deferring attention away from the mid-section and up towards the bust, face and neck
• Bottoms with interest

Time to Shop for the Latest Womens Swim Wear

More Shopping & Chic Inspiration at the TCF Blog: Also check out the Style Makeover Shop!

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