Rosie Scott Blog about Women

“I’m too fat for a swimsuit” was the excuse given by one of my prettiest friends when she ruled out the beach for our group’s summer outing. Apparently when it comes to swimwear, having a pretty face is not enough to make up for an ill-fitting suit.

At the same time, thinking you're “too fat” or whatever other negative perceptions you have about your body can be overcome; just find the right swimsuit for your body type to build up your confidence, and your prettiness will shine through from head to toe!

Finding your fit

A discussion with my other friend set for her trip to Tawi-Tawi revolved around the ultimate goal of “to not look like a whale” when shopping for swimwear. Her miracle piece—the one she was literally dreaming about before she convinced herself to buy it—was a printed ruffled crop top from Anemone.

She went on to explain how the ruffles added volume to her top while balancing out the weight of her bottom. Plus points for its fun and frilly style that made her feel like a kid again.

For me, I discovered my miracle piece is a cut-out maillot in black and gold. Before that I’d never worn a bikini in my life and my knowledge of the different types of cover ups was extensive. Perhaps I was too shy, self-conscious, or conservative… or maybe I just hadn’t found the right suit yet.

Every 'problem area' is an opportunity

In two separate interviews with two leading local swimwear brands, Angela See of Soak Swimwear and Lace Tan of I Love Koi shared with GMA News Online how every problem area can present numerous style possibilities.

“Our basic pieces revolve around bikinis, high-waists and maillots,” said Tan as she explained the items available at I Love Koi.

“We believe that knowing your body shape/type is crucial in finding the perfect swimsuit. We also feel that the ultimate goal is to find the right pieces that will make you feel better and more confident about yourself,” she continued.

Here are different body types with certified beach-ready style solutions:

Big bust – if you’re heavy on top, the first thing to consider is support.

"Halters have enough coverage ‘cause they're bigger and they have thicker straps…you can tie it around the neck so it really supports your bust area," said See.

One of the latest additions to Soak’s line of swimwear is the underwire top for busty women. If you don’t like halters, getting a top with underwire is another good way to make sure you have the support you need.

Long torso – "I think if you have a long torso the high-waist styles will look good on you… you can wear it easily with a triangle or bandeau," said See.

On the other hand if you’d like to appear like you have a long torso, wearing low-rise bottoms can make that illusion for you.

Big tummy – “As for ladies who wish to conceal their tummies, high-waist pieces and one-piece swimsuits are ideal. Look for styles with ruching to help keep things tucked in,” said Tan.

When applied around the waist area, ruching, also known as shirring or gathers, really helps conceal flab. It’s also a pretty detail that can make all the difference between a plain monochromatic swimsuit and your “miracle piece.”

Bottom-heavy – When working with the bottom, there are many things to consider. Women with big thighs would typically prefer to conceal them with a boyleg cut, but See had some unexpected advice for these bodacious bottoms.

“I would suggest high-cut swimwear..I know it looks weird like they feel like they're exposing more of their body, but really it makes… [your legs] look longer," she said.

Alternatively Tan suggested drawing attention elsewhere:

“A pear-shaped silhouette will need something to attract attention towards the upper part of the body. Ruffles, embellishments and lighter/vibrant colors will definitely help because they create the illusion of a fuller upper chest area.”

Flat chest – Herself included in this category, See swears by triangle-cupped tops.

“Because I'm straight... it gives me the curves that I need," she said, adding that “things that tie around the neck” have a natural push-up (or shall we say pull-up) function, giving you the desired cleavage.

Similar to the principle applied with bottom-heavy women, a top with ruffles, embellishments or bright colors is a top that pops and gives the impression of a fuller chest.

Skinny – The skinny girls are lucky. "You can wear anything, promise," said See.

Specifically, cutouts can work very well if you have a straight or masculine figure because they create the illusion of more curves.

Curvy – “If you're curvy, bandeaus fit well," said See. She pointed out that anyone can wear a bandeau, but they tend to look best on women with hourglass figures because the straightness of the piece gives a nice contrast to the body’s curves.

Heavy-set – The rule here is always the same—"the darker the color, the more slimming it is," said See.

“Keep it dark-colored with the bottom and do not go for skin-baring pieces if you want to minimize the appearance of your lower body. Reverse the idea if you are top-heavy,” said Tan, with similar advice.

Soak’s newest piece, a long-sleeved maillot with a V-shaped plunging neckline is “like a rash guard but sexy.” It’s incredibly flattering and also a great way to hide your arms, whether it’s for protection from the sun or to conceal unwanted flab.

Stumpy – "Lower necklines make the torso look longer as well so if it's a deep V, the person looks taller," added See.

Other lengthening devices include vertical stripes and high-cut bottoms.

The golden rule of swimwear

See's number one rule for buying swimwear is you have to fit it. "I personally would not buy if I couldn't fit it," she said, as she pointed out that cutouts can be especially tricky. It’s also important to check that there is ample butt coverage and pads, which they make sure is part of their items at Soak.

When it comes to colors, her advice is simple:

“Get a color, hold it up to your face. See... where your face pops more... that's the color for you."

At I Love Koi, Tan and her team focus on making sure that there’s “something for everyone, every time.” Their swimwear comes in the rare size range of XS to 3XL.

“It's very important to find a swimsuit that balances out your shape, accentuates and highlights your strengths, and minimizes or conceals your imperfection,” said Tan.

“Most importantly, remember to be confident and know that every body is unique and beautiful in its own way,” she added.

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You should also see:

http://madisocox.shop-bell.net/2015/04/16/the-go-to-festival-shoe-has-ancient-roots/