Stylish Swimsuits to Flatter Every Body Type
Written by Kathryn D'Imperio Sunday, 31 May 2009 00:40
Once the weather starts getting warmer, many of us get new swimsuits on the brain.
A new swimsuit can mean so much more than a desired trip to the beach. Swimsuits can be our motivation to drop a few extra pounds or to tone our muscles for more definition, six-pack abs, or simply a slimmer figure. New swimsuits can also be a great way to ring in the summer and hot weather.
Even if you aren’t looking to slim down or lose a few extra pounds, you can still find a swimsuit to flatter your own body type. Swimsuit designers are now creating swimwear specific to the different body types, often mentioning the key attributes in the swimsuit’s description online or at the store.
Some of the popular trends for swimsuits this season include swimwear with ruffles, swimwear with cut-outs, color-blocking, and of course, patterns and prints boasting florals, tribal designs, and more, according to Kim McGowan of MarkdownAlert.com.
No matter what your body type, read on for the top swimsuits that will flatter your figure and make you feel great this summer!
Swimsuits for the Apple Body Shape
“Miraclesuit® 'Oceanus' One-Piece, on sale at Nordstrom, has plenty of support for the chest in the form of an underwire bra,” says Kim McGowan of MarkdownAlert.com. “The faux-wrap detail and continual ruching at the sides of the waist slims as well as camouflages problem areas. The solid color also helps to elongate the frame, giving the allusion of a longer, leaner midsection.”
(At the time of this posting, the Miraclesuit Oceanus One-Piece is not currently available at Nordstrom.)
“This all the things apples need in a suit plus a flattering floral print that is proportional to their size,” McGowan says.
Swimsuits for Pear Body Shape
The pear body shape typically involves a thinner or even athletic upper body and fuller hips and/or butt. To flatter your figure if you have a pear body shape, consider ways to emphasize and draw attention to your upper body while choosing less distracting pieces for your lower half.
“The key to finding a swimsuit for a pear shape is to emphasize the best asset of the shape,” McGowan says. “Pear shapes have great arms, shoulders and abs. Draw the eye upward by emphasizing the shoulder line with halter-style tops with lots of embellishments like ruffles. Pears can wear lots of
pattern on top to draw the eye upwards while wearing a dark colored bottom with a medium to high-cut on the hips to elongate and slim the leg.”
For women with pear body shapes, Kim McGowan suggests MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS 'South Beach Border' Halter Tankini from Lord & Taylor (currently 10-15% off with coupon).
Swimsuits for Hourglass Figures
Lucky women with the hourglass figure may still have a difficult time selecting a swimsuit for their figure – simply because there are countless options, colors, and styles of swimwear to fit their needs. At this point, women with the hourglass figure should consider all swimsuit types and decide on either the colors or bathing suit style that they most desire.
“Women with an hourglass figure boost a proportional top and bottom half,” McGowan notes. “Hourglass shapes can wear almost any bathing suit style and pattern as long as the balance between top and bottom is retained. Hourglasses can go for trendy florals, tribal and ombre prints in one-piece or two pieces as long as the tops and bottoms match.”
McGowan recommends women with the hourglass shape body try the ruffle sliding halter top & bottom bikini from Victoria's Secret (on sale for $92.00).
Swimsuits for Straight Figures / Boyish Bodies
If you have a slim, straight figure with few curves (sometimes also called a boyish body or frame), you will probably want to find a swimsuit that enhances your curves and adds a bit of bulk to your frame.
“Women with straight or boyish figures look best in swimsuits that create curves in the bust and hips,” says McGowan. “This season's Cutout or monokini swimsuit does exactly that. Straight shapes who crave a two piece should try the ruffle skirted bottom with a triangle top with light padding to emphasize breasts and provide some cleavage. Curves are created at the hips with the ruched and ruffled bottom.”
McGowan suggests women with straight bodies try the Anika Brazil Halter One-Piece Swimsuit or Juicy Couture's JACKIE BORDER MONOKINI for $160.00 at Diane’s Swimwear.
Swimsuits for Diamond Shape Bodies
Women with diamond body shapes can make the most of their figures with swimwear that draws attention to their long, sexy legs. As you shop for your summer swimsuit, consider the following tips.
“Women who are diamond shape have large breasts and straight waists with great long, lean legs,” says McGowan. “The best swimsuits create an illusion of a slimmer midsection and provide support for large breasts. Throw emphasis on the legs with ruffles or another hot trend this season, the 50s-style swimdress like the CARMEN MARC VALVO 'Draped Solids' Bandeau Swimdress available at Lord & taylor (10-15% off with coupon).”
The Mommy-to-Be Body – Swimsuits for Pregnant Women
When you have a little one on the way, your normal body type takes a backseat to your fabulous pregnant figure! If you are an expectant mom looking for a fun and fashionable, functional maternity swimsuit, you’ll be sure to find stylish mommy-to-be swimsuit styles and patterns you just love. Show off that belly this summer!
A number of leading maternity brands offer a variety of stylish maternity swimsuits in vibrant colors and eye-catching designs. As you search for your perfect maternity bathing suit, keep in mind that comfort comes first, but fashion and color come in close behind.
“Halter top styles work well for additional support in the bust and a little extra room in the belly area is important accommodate her growth,” says Rebecca Matthias, President and Chief Creative Officer of A Pea in the Pod and Motherhood Maternity.
“There’s nothing subtle about swim this season,” Matthias adds. “The fashion runways featured swimsuits in bold, beautiful designs and our suits reflect these trends. Stone embellished straps 
and ring details at the bust and hips are extra special touches that complement the true beauty of the expectant mother.”
A few hot maternity swimsuits for summer 2009 include:
“A Pea in the Pod's two-piece bright tropical floral print tankini with ruching, wood ring detail and smocking on the bikini….”
“A Pea in the Pod Collection within A Pea in the Pod's two-piece emerald green ruched tankini with stone embellished straps and ring details and the bust and hips….”
“Motherhood Maternity's two-piece colorblock halter tankini with side ruching in a brilliant combination of raspberry, fuchsia, and orange….”
Swimsuits for Women of Any Body Type Who Don’t Like Wearing a Bathing Suit
If you are a woman who doesn’t feel comfortable in a swimsuit no matter what her body type, don’t fret. Modern beachwear also includes fashions for those who don’t like to bare it all. You can take a cue from swim fashions in New Zealand, which often have the women wearing longer board shorts with their bikini tops or surf wear. If you would prefer not to show off too much skin, remember - it is always better to be comfortable and confident than to try and keep up with the latest fashions.
Even with comfort and confidence in mind, you can still keep up with the latest fashions for summer swimwear. Debbie Kuhn introduced girltrunks for this very reason.
“girltrunks are swim trunks designed to fit and flatter a woman's body and are available in two lengths, a 7" and 11" inch inseam for coverage of the legs,” says Kuhn, who is president and founder of girltrunks. “The trunks are made of polyamide fabric and have mesh lining so they dry quickly. They are paired with well-fitting tops in halter and tank styles.”
Kuhn adds, “A wonderful aspect of girltrunks is they are cross generational - from teens to grandmothers, girltrunks provide a modern alternative that looks great no matter what your age or size. girltrunks provide women that are looking for a little more coverage another option when they go to purchase their next swimsuit. Consider it the new two-piece that is a complete swimsuit - no need for a cover up. It can even be mistaken for a shorts outfit which is purposeful.”
If you still like the traditional look of bathing suits, you might consider some new, slimming offerings from Lands’ End. Three collections, SwimShape, TrimLine, and BodyLift, offer slenderizing swimsuits to flatter every body type. The swimsuits feature revolutionary fabrics to “smooth, lift, shape and control all your problem areas,” according to Lands’ End.
The Lands’ End SwimShape line features targeted shaping and smoothing with a special silicone fabric treatment for “spot lifts and controls” to flatter your figure comfortably. The TrimLine collection delivers instant tummy toning to conceal any excess around your middle. The control lining smoothes out your tummy and decorative draping or shirring disguises any problem areas you may have. Finally, the BodyLife collection offers all-over slimming for your figure. The Slender Suit® technology allows the swimsuit fabric to fit snugly yet comfortably, and you can choose from a variety of colors and patterns in for women of all shapes and sizes.
About the Experts:
Kim McGowan runs MarkdownAlert.com. For more information, visit online at www.markdownalert.com.
Debbie Kuhn is the Founder and President of girltrunks. For more information, visit online at www.mygirltrunks.com.
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