by Amanda S.

Created on: February 17, 2009   Last Updated: March 29, 2009

Choosing the right bathing suit requires several considerations: fit, style, cut, and color. As a seamstress who is trained to make clothes fit bodies of all different sizes and shapes and help women choose the best style of clothing for their bodies and comfort level, I will address the correct way to fit yourself for a bathing suit based on your particular body type and needs. Regardless of what is right for your body type, the most important thing is that you feel confident and attractive in your bathing suit and that you actually like what you are wearing.

COMMON BODY SHAPES and APPROPRIATE SWIMSUIT STYLES....

PEAR SHAPED (small on top, fuller hips/rear): Even out body shape by wearing a bathing suit that emphasizes the bust area and minimizes the hip area. On top: Bright colors and patterns, plunging necklines that emphasize the bust, push-up styles, halter styles to make shoulders seem broader, tankini tops with a pattern, and ruffles across the bust area. On bottom: Solid and more subdued colors, high/French cut to elongate the leg and make hips appear smaller. Avoid: Skirted bottoms, bottoms with straight-cut leg line, patterns on bottom, dark colored tops, and bandeau tops.

APPLE SHAPED (round midsection): Conceal the midsection while drawing attention to the bust and legs in a one piece swimsuit. Important elements: Low-cut bust-line, straight cut leg line (to make hips appear wider in contrast to midsection), control lining, color-blocked swimsuits with a solid, darker color block at the midsection to give the illusion of a waistline, "wrap" styles that crossover in the front to emphasize the bust and give the illusion of a waistline. Avoid: Bikinis and tankinis, large prints, skirted bottoms.

UPSIDE-DOWN PEAR SHAPED (large bust and broad shoulders, small hips/rear): De-emphasize top half while making bottom half appear wider in order to even out proportions. On top: Solid and more subdued colors, wide straps and square neck (for support and to de-emphasize bust). On bottom: Bright colors and patterns, straight cut leg line (to make hips appear wider), and ruffles across the hips. Avoid: Patterns on top, ruffles on top, dark colors on bottom, bottoms with high-cut leg, halter/triangle tops, and bandeau tops.

HOURGLASS (round on top and bottom with a small midsection): Hourglass figures can pretty much wear any style, so there is a lot of freedom; however, make sure to balance the top and bottom with similar styles to avoid looking like you have an unbalanced

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