Buying a Swimsuit: A Guide for Women of all Shapes and Sizes

Swimsuit season is the time of year that every woman dreads! No matter what size a woman is, she probably worries about finding a swimsuit that fits her figure well. Of course, in any clothing, every woman wants to highlight her best features while concealing her flaws, but this is especially true in swimsuits.

Swimsuits are so revealing that there is little room for error when it comes to selecting the right one. All women want a swimsuit that looks good on them, but if they plan to spend a lot of time in the water this summer, comfort is also essential. Here are a few pointers to help make your swimsuit shopping experience less stressful.

Large Busts

Women with large busts should look for a swimsuit that provides full support. Swimsuits with halter-tops or molded underwire cups are ideal for keeping everything in place. A swimsuit with an extra strap across the back, along the bust line, offers additional support. Women with an inverted figure (top wider than hips) should wear a two-piece with a skort or shorts. This will help them look more proportionate by balancing their top and bottom.

Large Hips and Thighs

Swimsuits with boy cut bottoms are ideal for women with large rear ends. This not only hides your backside, but it also looks cute and is comfortable. The skirted bikini bottoms are also cute, revealing your legs while concealing your backside. Avoid wearing revealing bikini briefs at all costs! You can also choose something eye-catching and brightly colored for the top. This will draw attention away from your backside and upwards. Again, horizontal stripes will make your back look even bigger than it is, whereas diagonal stripes may create a more flattering illusion.  

Tankinis are ideal for curvy women. The tankini is a two-piece swimsuit with a tank top-style top. You can wear it with hipster bottoms. These trendy bottoms offer far more support for your curves than traditional bikini bottoms. You might also want to try on one of the one-piece swimsuits with side cutouts. This can slim you down while still highlighting your curves.

Larger Belly

If you have a large stomach, a one-piece suit is best. If you must have a two-piece, look for halter-tops that fall over the waist of your bikini bottoms. This not only conceals your stomach, but also lengthens your body, making you appear taller and thus slimmer. You should also see if the store carries a swimsuit with tummy control. A printed suit will also draw attention away from your stomach, making you appear slimmer.

Plus Size Swimsuits

Large women are likely to have the most difficulty selecting a swimsuit. If you're overweight, you're probably self-conscious enough in regular clothes, but don't let that stop you from having fun in the sun. To appear slimmer, wear dark colors such as navy blue and black. Avoid swimsuits with horizontal stripes, which give the impression that you are wider than you are. Spandex is a good choice for swimsuit fabric because it stretches, but it is critical that you purchase the correct size swimsuit.  For vanity reasons, do not try to squeeze into a swimsuit that is two sizes too small. Choosing the correct size will always look better on you. Many stores allow you to mix and match tops and bottoms, so you can make sure you get the correct size for each section if you are top or bottom heavy. Remember that swimsuits tend to run smaller than regular clothing, so order a size or two larger than you normally wear.

The most important thing to remember when shopping for a new swimsuit is to know what works best for your features. And, unless you absolutely adore it, don't buy the first suit you try on. Take several with you to the dressing room and see which one looks best. It might even help to bring a friend along to give you an honest assessment of how it looks.