Swimwear Cheat Sheet 2016
I meet so many women who tell me that they aren't "bikini" ready, or how they would never put on a swimsuit. Ladies, I think it's time to change this!
Okay, I know that it's difficult to go from hating your thighs to loving them overnight. So, while you work on the love bit, here are some fabulous tricks to at least get you in that swimwear and having some fun! I think we have forgotten how fun and relaxing sun and water can be!
p.s. Check out the picture above; it's from Target 2015 swimsuit collection. Yes, last year they featured some regular bodies and they all look fab!
Okay, here we go:
Large Bust:
If you have a large bust, look for a bathing suit with plenty of support: wide or adjustable straps, underwire, seamed cups, boning, and a sturdy lining will all help lift your chest. Design details, like high armpits and necklines or halters with wide bands under the breast also offer extra support. Skip skimpy styles, like triangle tops, since they lack the structure you need.
The wide-banded halter provides ample support, while the plunging neckline allows for a hint of cleavage without fear of spillage—even when you’re bending over. Plus, the front ruching, which hits just below the bust, takes attention off the tummy.
Straight figure:
To add curves to a boyish figure, try a suit with three-dimensional details. Ruffles, shirring, rings, padding, and bold prints can all create the illusion of a more curvaceous figure. Simple suits—solid colors without texture or accents—and certain patterns (vertical stripes, for example) only reinforce straight lines.
Break up the body’s straight lines with metal accents and a bold pattern that includes a mixture of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal stripes. The bra-style top, complete with adjustable straps, and a wide-banded bottom, provides moderate coverage and ensures maximum comfort.
Tummy:
If you’re shy about showing off your midsection, choose a suit that’s designed to skim over the middle. Ruching, built-in control panels, and textured fabric suck in the stomach and flatten. Still want to wear a bikini? Try a style that provides a little more coverage, like a high waistband that’s shirred or folded over. Bypass tight-fitting tankinis, belts, and skimpy bottoms.
Want to create the illusion of a trimmer tummy? Slip into this black number. It has clever ruching down the center of the body that works to split the torso in two, creating a slimming effect. The bow in the back adds a girly touch.
Full Hips and Thighs:
Eye-catching details—like a pop of color, a deep neckline, or hardware above the waist—help lure attention away from your hips and thighs and towards your upper half. A skirt or a high arched leg line that sits approximately an inch below the hipbone looks best on the bottom half. Avoid anything that can pinch the skin, like boy shorts, one-pieces with side cutouts, and bottoms with embellishments.
A sleek black bottom is paired with a black and white chevron crop top to highlight the middle and bust, rather than the hips and thighs. A crisscross detail back adds intrigue, but also ensures full coverage and support.
For more visuals for these different looks, go to www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/best-swimsuits-body-types/swuimsuits-for-your-body and check out their, "The Best Swimsuits for All Body Types" (where this information comes from) because they really nail it!
Jennifer Krigsman
Personal Stylist
303.704.6519