I am not sure what is worse–trying on jeans or swimsuits. The latter gets my vote for worst dressing room “trauma”. I hate shopping for swimsuits. Most women would agree. So how do you choose the right suit for your body type? Actually many of the same rules I’ve been talking about for balancing the body type apply to suits as well. Now when there is way more skin showing this proves to be quite a challenge. Again, it’s about creating illusions to help one area look bigger or smaller. You always want to draw the attention AWAY from the flaw. From my research, it seems I could sum up this post in two words MIRACLE SUIT. Every magazine and site is talking about them. I’ve tried them on and they are fabulous.
I’ve heard some critique Miracle suits as a little “matronly”. How about these? Also Miracle suits.
Check out Eddie Bauer for even more styles. Note how they highlight what style enhances/minimizes an area. Very helpful! You can now get swimwear from Spanx. www.spanx.com
Trying on Tips:
1. Give yourself enough time and be prepared to try on 10 or more suits. If you just can’t bring yourself to go to the store, then try online shopping.
2. If possible use a tanning cream or get a spray tan. Everything looks better when it’s combined with a little color on the skin. (Just stay away from the tanning beds)
3. Choose sizes larger than you wear in pants/tops. One of the worst mistakes women make is purchasing and wearing a suit that is too small. Keep in mind that suits run very different and don’t get discouraged by the size.
I found some of the best tips from O magazine. Don’t miss the related links! Lots of good info here.
One piece or two-piece: How do I choose?
Hopefully the photos on the Oprah site gave you some ideas what will be the most flattering. Generally, from everything I’ve read and seen a one-piece suit is the most flattering as far as hiding the most flaws and helping enhance your assets. There are some great 2-piece suits out there and you don’t need 6 pack abs to wear them. If you are in the market for a new suit, spend some time at the beach or the pool and OBSERVE. Note what you like and don’t like. Think of how you want to present yourself at the beach and follow your instincts with a few rules thrown in:
-Small bust: add details such as ruffles
-Large Bust: Halter top, deep V, suits with built in cups
-Minimize the middle: criss cross, faux wraps, ruching and color blocking.
Add curves or volume: ruffles or tiers
-Long Torso: A band below the bust takes inches off the torso
-Short Torso: Faux belt or other fun details lower on the torso visually lengthen
-Dark colors minimize the bottom half.
-High cut legs elongate the leg.
If you go swimsuit shopping let me know how you do. Were the tips helpful? Do you have a better idea of how to “suit” your body type? Keep the questions coming.
Karen, thank you, thank you, thank you for providing some awesome tips and resources. Everyone’s nightmare is what kind of swimsuit to wear for their body type, no matter how svelte you might be! You have done it again, providing answers and ideas for our fashion dreads!!!
I read once that you have to go up a whole size to get a good fit in a swimsuit. That was several years ago, but does follow along with what you said. How discouraging! You’d think the industry would “figure” that one out.
Great tips Karen, I have not had a new suit in 11 years, maybe it is time that I try again. I loved the suit in the pictures with the ruffle. I think it is more of a mind set that we neen when going shopping, dont worry about the size, I too must go up several sizes just to get the torso long enough for my tall frame, my big question, when you go up in size for say torso or hip, with a small bust like mine the cup size ends up being to big. What do you do then?
Along the same lines as the previous comment, what about when you need to shop for a much larger cup size than the standard D or DD, or XL in some styles, plus sizes are geared for larger woman all around but there are some of us that are regular sizes except in the cup size and it is very frustrating.
Kristi: It is much easier to work with a smaller bust as many of the suits out there have shelf bras and you can do so much with details to enhance the chest as shown in the examples. Go for long torso styles. You can search companies that carry these
Tami: As suggested in the O magazine link, go to sites that specialize in larger cup sizes. The one mentioned there is Aerin rose. When I searched, it led me to many others. You may be better off with separates. Many different styles to choose from that aren’t bikinis!