No matter whether you have a big stomach, wide hips, fat thighs or big breasts – there are swimwear styles out there which are perfect for you.
Bearing in mind that you may have a combination of “problem areas” the guide below will give you some idea of suitable styles. If you have large breasts and a big stomach, for example, then take advice from each section and look for a style which combines the two.
A well chosen swimsuit can take pounds (or kilos) off you. An unsuitable style can do the opposite, leaving you lacking in confidence and drawing attention to the very bits you want to hide! The three key words you need to keep in mind are Color, Construction and Cut.
Big Stomachs
- Go for colors and patterns with a dark base, or if two-tone, then a darker color on the bottom, lighter on the top. Bold florals and prints distract the eye and camouflage your stomach. Avoid horizontal stripes; vertical or diagonal are best.
- Ruched suits are great, with ruching across the stomach. Alternatively, go for a design which features detail on the bust, which then draws the eyes upwards. Bikinis with boys' shorts are more flattering as they fall below the stomach rather than cutting across it. A tankini will hide some of the bulges, but make sure and choose one that is long enough to finish over the shorts, and not halfway up the stomach.
- Dark colors have a slimming effect, so do large prints.
- Go for a high cut leg rather than a bottom half which sits low on your behind. "Avoid boys shorts as they will only make your bum look bigger," advises Femina magazine's article "What to Wear on the Beach," in their November 2007 edition.
- Large prints and those with a dark color base will minimize the hips. Avoid tiny prints and small floral patterns. Go for darker single-block colors.
- "Any kind of detail along the bust line focuses attention up and away from the hips…teeming a dark bottom half with a printed top really flatters,” according to In Style magazine, “Shop for Your Shape”, in the November 2007, Australian Edition.
- Light colors and small prints are fine. Horizontal stripes will give a widening effect.
- Boys shorts can help add curves and give you a more hour class figure. Swimsuit bottoms with tie sides will also help accentuate curves. Cut-out swimsuits, where the cutaway is at the waist, will create a flattering, curvy effect.
- Darker colors and large prints or a color block with the darker color on top are best. Avoid horizontal stripes and go for vertical or diagonal, which do not widen the body.
- Go for a style which has a deep V-neck or plunge neck, which will elongate your figure and lessen the fullness of the bust, but still allow you to show off your cleavage. Wide strapped or double halternecks provide good support and flatter narrow shoulders.
- Avoid spaghetti straps and bandeau style swimsuits without neckties as these only accentuate the top-heaviness. Underwired cups also give the necessary support and lift. If you prefer more coverage, a sport-racer back design will minimize the bust.
Small Busts
- Large prints will distract the eye away from smaller busts, but you can get away with small prints too. Prints that follow the shape of your breasts will “visually enhance the contours,” says In Style.
- A ruched swimsuit with the ruching around the bust area can create the illusion of a larger bust. You are lucky enough to wear the micro bikinis with triangular tops and bandeaus and look great in them. There are also many padded styles available to give you a cleavage that any Baywatch babe would be proud of. Choosing a style with frills, ruffles and other details will also add bulk to your top half.
If you feel you require a little bit of extra help in the body-shaping and hip- and stomach-concealing department, then Miraclesuits, USA manufactures a large range and are available online and from many retail stores worldwide. I first discovered these little miracle workers a couple of years ago and have been wearing them ever since.
Online stockists such as www.figleaves.com and the UK’s www.bravissimo.com feature a wide range of styles for fuller busts and bigger tums.
Swimwear Trends
The popular one-shoulder and asymmetrical styles can work for you or against you. One-shouldered suits may have the effect of accentuating the bust, whilst vertical asymmetric lines can minimize it, along with reducing a large tummy.
Current swimwear trends see a big revival of the one-piece suit, which is often more flattering than a bikini. Says Kerrie McCallum, editor of Shop Til You Drop, "I am loving the revival of the one-piece, I think it's chic and glamorous," in the article "What's the one-piece you'll take on holiday," of January 2008. In particular, there is currently a love affair with the cut-out or cut-away one-piece. Both sexy and flattering, unfortunately this style suits those with toned bodies only, so beware!
Embellishments - a timeless trend, which proliferate dresses, shoes and handbags are carried through into swimwear. Any detail on the bustline will draw attention away from a bottom half and vice-versa.
Fashion Accessories
If you want to hide your bigger bits, then go for a stylish, well-fitted kaftan rather than a loose, tent-like design or a shapeless sarong. Contrary to what you may think, instead of camouflaging your problem areas, big baggy cover-ups can actually accentuate them, making you look more like a beached whale. Oh-so-fashionable maxi dresses are also a great on-trend cover-up, making you feel fashionable without being out of place.
Team swimwear with flat strappy gladiator-style sandals and this year's oversized shades. Wide brimmed floppy hats not only keep off the sun but are stylish and on-trend too. So are Panama hats, which suit almost all face shapes.
Gill Hart - Gill Hart is a fashion and image professional who specializes in women's fashion over 50.
