BIKINI BASICS

Swimsuit shopping can be one of the most painful experiences in a woman’s life. It can serve to remind a woman of every unshed pound and every unneeded midnight snack. However, with the right information and the correct mindset, swimsuit shopping can also be an extremely flattering and rewarding experience. If this statement sounds almost too good to be true, you will want to read on to acquire some valuable tips for finding and purchasing a flattering swimsuit for you.

Color: A general rule for good swimsuit flattery is to use darker colors on areas you would like to slim and understate and lighter and brighter colors on areas you would like to highlight (this rule also applies to general fashion). While a black swimsuit will likely do the trick for slimming your body, you may be able to do even better by using swimsuit colors wisely. For example, if you would like to de-emphasize your hips, try pairing dark red, blue, or black bikini bottoms with a light-colored bikini top. The light color will draw attention and eyes toward your bust and away from your hips. Another good slimming trick is to look for a tankini in a generally bright color with darker insets on the sides. The insets will make your figure look thinner and more toned.

Prints: When looking at prints, pay attention to the color, size, and placement of the print. Prints on a darker background are more slimming. In addition, prints with allover swirls will stop the eye from focusing on any one area of the body.

Shine: In general, opaque, matte style fabrics will slim the body the most, while shiny fabrics will make the body seem larger. If you do like the idea of shine in a swimsuit but not the enlarging effects, look for a shiny bikini in a muted or otherwise dark color.

Details: Details on a bikini, such as bows, belts, ruching, embroidery, beading, and ties will all grab attention. Use them wisely on an area of the body you would like to draw attention to and gain the benefit of drawing attention away from less desirable characteristics.

Coverage: An oft-misunderstood rule of swimsuit coverage is the fact that less is often more. Looking for more coverage in a swimsuit is not always the best way to deal with figure flaws. Using huge amounts of fabric to cover a large derriere may actually draw unwanted attention to that very section of the body. For example, women with wide hips often assume that the skirted swimsuit is the best style option for them. However, the skirt quite often ends at the widest part of the hips or thighs, serving only to make the area appear larger. A much better bet is to choose bikini bottoms with high cut legs that will elongate the legs and slim the hips and thighs. As long as a swimsuit fits comfortably and highlights desirable characteristics, bare is almost always more beautiful.