Swim Suit Basics.

It’s swim suit season again and while the thought may send some women screaming and running for the hills there is hope in finding the perfect swimsuit to show off your best assets.

While the right swimsuit is a vital staple in your wardrobe, it is important to remember that swimsuits are not sized like most clothing. In fact, you should try one to two sizes larger than your normal clothing size.

Even if you are hesitant to go up a size, don’t get caught up in the number. The right fit is what counts. When you find a suit that you like, lift your arms, bend over, sit down, and walk around to make sure it is not going to gather or ride up.

With so many styles of swimsuits on the market, it is important to take note of what works for your body and what does not. For example, when shopping for a tankini, make sure the stomach portion of the suit lies flat against your stomach but is not too tight. If it is too tight, your stomach will bulge causing an unsightly tyre.

And when choosing patterns, remember that vertical stripes are more slimming and horizontal stripes are widening. If you have a small bust, horizontal stripes would make you look more curvy whereas if you want to distract from an area, avoid pattern and stick to darker colours.

Bottom halves.

When trying on a swimsuit bottom, make sure your skin is not bulging from the waist or leg area. If it does, again, try going up a size. If the problem is still there, consider a different style bottom. In general, a bottom with a leg opening an inch below the hip bone is the most flattering.

Remember, bottoms stretch when they get wet. It’s a fine line, you need to not have bulges when wearing it, but also not make it so loose is falls off when wet!

The top show.

If you are looking for a top with an underwiring, it should fit like your best fitting bra. The underwire should lie flat against your skin without any breast sneaking out of the bottom.

For most ladies, side cleavage is an issue. Starting at your underarm, ¾ of the breast should be covered. And for large busts, a halter top or an underwire top provides the best support and coverage. Halter tops with a wider band provide the most support.

When it comes to swimsuits, cleavage isn’t everything. Most women like to emphasize their bust, but over-padding is not the answer. Steer clear of large, push-up pads. The foam holds water like a sponge and tends to pull the top down resulting in a saggy look that is not attractive.

If you want to add a little extra padding to your top, choose a thin pad that looks natural. Most pads can be cut to fit any style top. To prevent the pad from slipping, insert the pads into the lining of the top or sew the pads into the top. It will also stop your nipples from showing through!

Chameleon Fridays