by Lorelai George

Created on: May 16, 2008

If there's one thing that everyone has learned in recent years is that people, especially women, come in all shapes and sizes and that there's more than just "fat" and "skinny" in the equation. There's pear shapes, column, apples, and many, MANY more. It depends on who you speak to/what you read to what they are called, but the most common body type is the pear - having a bottom half that is chunkier than the top. Let's not forget that this can also come the other way around, where a person is more top heavy. Us ladies can also have a more boyish figure, having very few curves at all, or being the complete opposite and having curves in all the right places.

If you're one of the majority and have a pair shape, wear a bikini with a pattern on the TOP. If it is on the bottom it will draw attention to your disproportionate figure, rather than distract from it, which is what you want. If you're more of a top heavy girl, go for the opposite.

However, if you do not wish to wear a bikini, try a tankini as it will still break up your figure, whereas a one-piece will not.

If you have more of a boyish figure, it is most definitely advisable to wear a bikini as it will feminise your figure. Patterned pieces will also help to add curves.

If you are lucky enough to be an hourglass, or to have a figure with wide hips, a small waist and a well sized bust, you can probably get away with most things, just try not to overdo it. The itsy-bitsy-teenie-weenie yellow polka dot bikini didn't look good in the 90s, and it certainly doesn't look good now.

Plus sized girls will more than likely want to cover up with a one-piece, which is understandable, but there is a type of swimsuit that will be more flattering, and that is the humble tankini. It gives you the same coverage as a one-piece, but as it is a vest and pants instead, it breaks up your figure and covers up any lumps and bumps better than a single piece of lycra ever could.

Other things to remember are to not wear halter-necks if you have wide shoulders, don't wear hot pant style bottoms if you have wide hips, and to make sure that the color(s) of your swimsuit match your skintone, hair, AND personality. Tanned skin usually looks better in colors with a yellow underdone, whilst paler skin often suits colors with more of a pink undertone.

The most important thing about swimsuits is that you feel comfortable in them, and what makes you feel comfortable in a swimming costume? If you look good, of course.

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