Swimsuits For Every Size & Shape! A Mother’s Guide!

 

 

Swimsuits That fit your Size & Shape. A Mother’s Guide
6-26-10

 

 

I was intrigued to write a post about swimwear this morning, not only because it is the season for it, but because I was honestly looking for a couple nice suits for myself today. My daughter will be taking swimming lessons in a couple of weeks, and I can’t find most of my suits. I don’t feel comfortable walking around in a public place in a bikini. On a small or private beach, backyard…ok, but elsewhere, 1 pc. or tankini all of the way, for this chickedy, HOWEVER, I packed away my suits last year, when I learned I was pregnant with twins. (Negative mindset huh?), I just didn’t even want to see them, cause I couldn’t imagine being able to wear them, or wanting to wear them again, and now, who the heck knows where they are. 

 

I have so many bins of clothing, packed high to the ceiling in the garage, and in the attics, it’s a seemingly impossible task, especially in this heat, so I decided to just go and buy a couple. Unlike my kids, I’m no longer growing, so to me, it’s an investment, or how at least, that is how I rationalize it to myself,  and to my husband.  (HE, HE).

 

 A lot of women are very interested in finding the best suit, to flatter their figure ‘type’, and so this is what I wanted to share with you today. Some pointers when shopping for bathing suits this summer season.

 

If you are a perfect HOURGLASS figure ‘type’, and thin, any suit will be fine for you, including most any bikini, but for us real women, we could use a little help.

 

 

 

 

 

A suit for the THICK WAISTED:
(Can also be known as the
up and down figure type)

 

The monokini. This type of suit provides a lean look, by slimming down the waistline, via side cut outs, and making you appear leaner then you actually are. A nice plunging neckline is on most every type of monokini style, so you will draw attention to the bussom area, rather then the mid section anyhow. If you are smaller busted, choose a monokini with side cut outs, and padding at the chest. An underwire or push up ‘styling’, is another great asset, but not a necessity. Padding will do just fine.

 

I wore one of these in a hotel pool only 11 days postpartum, and looked pretty darn good, I was suprised. It really gave me a waistline, that I didn’t have much of,  at that point yet. I was still sort of up and down, from the twin pregnancy still.

 

A monokini is most always high cut on the hips, which also makes you look slimmer & taller to. If you have a waist that is on the thicker side, don’t go without a monokini. A 1 pc. suit with a belt to add curves to your frame, is also a very nice option.

 

OH & wearing a tankini, with a flared out (trapeze style) top, is a great, flattering way, to disguise, a larger waistline. They have some really cute styles like this, if you do your homework. That is the definite BEST postpartum suit…(the flared tankini), cause it hides the mummy tummy, while it works on going back to normal, and makes the waistline look smaller to boot.

 

 

 

 

Suits for the TRIANGULAR SHAPED BODY.  (Bigger hips then bust):  This body type is typically larger on bottom, then on top, and would be best suited in a boy short TANKINI swimsuit. The boy shorts provide a little back side coverage, hiding the rear a bit, while showing off the rest of your assets. Also, you want to have a nice padded top, and or an underwire, so you can enhance cleavage, hence drawing attention to the bust line, rather then the lower body.  Plus it helps equal out your proportions as a whole.

 

Use a color or pattern, that evens out your body. Patterns draw attention, while solid colors, are less busy and eye catching. A top that is patterned, and a solid bottom, would best suit this body type. Brings the attention to the upper body, rather then the lower.  Evens everything out a bit.

 

 

 

 

THE INVERTED TRIANGE:  This body type, has a larger bust, and a smaller bottom. If you have big breasts, but tiny hips, this is your category. With this body type, you want to play down the chest. So be sure and choose suits without padding in the top, and have a bit higher of a neckline. (Less plunge to it), in front. A one piece suit with a rather plain top half, and a skirted bottom, or even a two piece with a skirted bottom, no padding up top, would help widen the hips a bit, and add a more balanced shape, to your frame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOO SHORT:  If you feel you are too short, and your swimwear isn’t helping your plight, like I said under thick waisted, a monokini is for you, with high cut leg openings. This adds height to your overall frame.  A nice high cut tankini will suit your needs as well. Just avoid skirted swimwear, and boy short bikinis, that will further shorten your stature.

 

Also wear a pair of heeled sandals, even if just 2.5-3 inches high, to further help enhance your petite your frame,  while strutting along the boardwalk this summer.

 

A one piece or bikini is ok for this ‘type’, as well . High cut at the hips is the most important part of things for the shorter woman, and vertical, NOT horizontal stripes, can also help elongate the torso.

 

 

 

 

 

TOO TALL:  If you feel as if you are too tall, and want to look shorter, Here is what you should do. First off, never opt for vertical stripes. A tall woman needs to do the exact opposite, of their shorter counterparts, use horizontal stripes, to appear shorter, then you are. Flip flops, canvas sneakers, and any kind of flat, is best to accompany your suit with, when you are tall, and also make sure the legs are NOT high cut on your swimsuit. A higher cut leg, lengthens the body, so you want to do the opposite, with a normal cut suit. Even a low rise boy short bottom, with a matching bikini or tankini top, would look smashing & sexy on a tall frame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     THE HEAVIER WOMAN:  If you don’t feel your best in any suit you have found thus far, here are a few tricks you can try,  to turn that beach frown, upside-down.  Most importantly, avoid light or flashy colors, and crazy patterns. This body type is best suited for darker colors, like a deep navy blue, super dark maroon, or most preferably, black. Black in slimming to any figure, no matter who you are.

 

Find out your strongest asset, and draw attention there. If you have a beautiful big bust, then wear a deep plunge neckline, or a keyhole front, and bring the eyes there.  Cut outs on the sides can also be figure flattering to the heavier woman, if you feel confident enough (which you should, because you are beautiful).  The cut outs do slim down the waistline, as I mentioned above, under thick waisted.

 

A swimsuit that has a skirted bottom, can also be flattering to this body type, IF you have super long legs, or are tall.  If you are on the shorter side, avoid a skirted suit, which could make you look even shorter, and possibly heavier.  If you have shorter legs, or are short as a whole, opt for a higher cut leg at the hips.  It will make you look slimmer, legs longer, and you will look taller to.  Always enhance the positive, and draw eyes away, from your weaker areas.  This is the key.

 

You can de-emphasize a round belly with a pattern like stripes, (nothing too busy though), or just brightly color-blocked, on the top and the bottom suit, to enhance the legs and bussom, and ‘X’ out the mid section altogether.  Make sure the darker colors always fall in your weak areas, where there is some extra weight,  you want to hide.

 

 

I would talk about the skinny, perfect, hourglass figure as well, however, the woman who has this shape, needs no advice from me, and wears any suit she wants already, so what is the point.  (HA HA HA!).

 

Real women..I hope this helped some:)

 

Until next time…..xoxo