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The first official day of summer is June 21, and even the fit woman has bathing suit anxieties.

According to a 2005 survey by department store chain Mervyn's, 68% of women dread trying on bathing suits. While the thought of shimmying into a tiny piece of spandex isn't one many of us relish, there is no way of getting around postponing swimsuit shopping.

In choosing the perfect bathing suit, there are four areas to keep in mind: cut, color, pattern, and material. Out of all the four criteria, cut is most important it'll make or break your body's balance and proportion; the other three factors will fall in on their own as the finishing touches.

Here are some other pointers for body types and how the perfect swimsuit can be flattering on each one:

Pear Shaped (hips are wider than upper body): Choose colors, patterns and details that draw attention away from the full hips Pairing a solid color (like black) for your lower half with a lighter colored or bold top will automatically draw attention to the upper body. Also try one-piece suits with an empire waist seam to minimize the bottom, halter necklines (which will elongate the pear-shape woman), and higher cut bottoms (they are slimming to your lower half).

Avoid G-strings, thongs, and details like hems and strings that tie around the hipline.

Large Bust: Choose a solid color bathing suit top with a square-cut neck to minimize the appearance of a large bust. Halters also look great on full-chested women, but say "no" to string tops, bright colored tops, and large patterns.

Small Bust: Triangle-top string bikinis, a suit with a demi-cut bra with underwire for better shaping or a top with padding, adjustable straps, and bandeau tops with ruffles or large geometric shapes and patterns, especially horizontal stripes, are also helpful in giving you the amount of cleavage you want and the illusion of a fuller chest.

Long Legs or Torso: If you have a boyish figure with small hips, boy-cut shorts will work well for you. Tankinis will also work for your figure type. If you choose the one-piece suit route, make sure you're seeing enough skin, such as a bandeau tank or a suit with cutouts offer. For two-pieces, a high-waisted bottom, perhaps with embellishments like belts and jewels around the top, are perfect.

Short Legs or Torso: A solid one-piece suit with a plunging neckline or boat neck will elongate you and a solid bottom with a colorful or bold top to draw the eye upward. Avoid boy shorts and make sure the bottoms are cut

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