It's Bathing Suit Season Again!!

All you need for a positive suit-buying experience is a little know-how. Recognizing which swimsuit style is most flattering for your shape is half the battle. The other half is realizing that there are very few perfect bodies out there and we are all somewhat self-conscious about some part of our figure. Hopefully, these swimsuit style tips will help you out when you're in the market for a new swimsuit!

Small Bust:

• Bikinis with push-up, underwire or padded tops help create decolletage
• Horizontal stripes, smocking and ruffles around the neckline create the illusion of more width
• String Bikinis can be tied tight so they won't gape or sag on a small frame
• One-piece cutout suits create curves
• AVOID: bandeau-style tops and dark colored tank styles, as they diminish curves. Also, avoid vertical stripes, which only make your figure look straighter.

Bottom Heavy/Hippy

• Bikinis or one pieces with eye-catching tops and darker bottoms draw attention away from the hips and rear
• Halters, push-ups and padded tops enhance the upper body
• High-cut bottoms lengthens legs and have a slimming effect
• Strapless styles create a horizontal line and balance the figure
• Sporty boy shorts provide more coverage
• AVOID: side-string or printed bottoms, which focus attention on the area you want to conceal the most

Busty

• Halter styles and suits with structure in the bust area, such as soft foam cups or shelf bras, provide the lift and support busty women need
• Suits that are dark on top and light on the bottom divert attention away from the bust area
• Suits with wide straps are more comfortable and are less likely to dig into the shoulders and the back area
• Details like ruffles, shirring and draping below the chest draw the eye downward
• Suits with slimming panels at the sides of the bust minimize an ample top half
• AVOID: strapless bandeaus and triangle bikini tops, wich offer little or no support

Short Torso

• Bikinis with bottoms that sit low on the hips help expose as much skin as possible in the torso area to create length
• Solid one-pieces with plunging necklines create a continual long appearance
• Vertical stripes can visually lengthen the body
• Solid bottoms with printed tops draw the eye up and create a longer look
• AVOID: high-waisted bikini bottoms and suits with horizontal stripes in the midsection. Also, boy shorts and skirted bikinis draw the eye down and make you look shorter

Long Torso

• Tankini with high-cut bottoms are an ideal style for those with long torsos. The horizontal break in a tankini helps the body look more proportional
• Cutout one-pieces break up the torso area
• Horizontal stripes and detailing across the midsection balance the figure
• AVOID: one-piece suits that are too short in the body and styles with vertical stripes and high necks

Tummy Issues

• One-pieces with side shirring and built-in control panels hide belly bulges. Miracle Suits are great for this
• Diagonal lines, chevron patterns and dark side panels that curve in at the waist have slimming effects
• Suits with a high Lycra content provide more tummy control
• High-waistband bottoms flatter the midsection
• AVOID: styles that cut across the body horizontally and two-pieces with bottoms that dig into the stomach area