Which swimwear flatters you the most?
Choosing swimwear can honestly be one of the most daunting summer experiences. Trying on swimmers can take the wind out of your sails before you’ve even hit the water! Anyone feeling even slightly body-conscious can feel particularly vulnerable and exposed in swimwear.
What if we armed you with some tips to choose the most flattering swimwear?
Colour, patterns, and prints all play an important role
We all choose clothes that harmonise with our colour palette and complexion, and we utilise prints that complement our appearance. Swimwear is no different. Here are some tips:
- Ensure the colours and contrast are within your palette ensuring not to create a body focus
- Small busy prints are more flattering than large spaced-apart prints or no print at all
- Avoid wide horizontal lines widely spaced in prints
- Consider dark panelling on the sides of one-piece swimmers for a flattering contrast
- When buying bikini separates, you can choose a print to team with a plain to attract the eye to one area of the body
Style and design must suit your body type
One of our biggest mistakes is buying swimmers that simply don’t suit our body shape. Often, we’re so stressed by swimwear shopping, that we forget everything we’ve learned about personal style, and how to complement our body shape. Keep these style guides in mind:
- High-leg swimmers lengthen your legs
- Boy-leg swimmers flatter a slim thigh
- High-waisted swimmers lengthen your legs and can support a tummy
- Ties on bikini bottoms can widen your hips
- High-waisted swimmers with cross-over waistbands are very flattering
- Most ruching and cross-overs on swimmers are flattering
- Boy-leg strapless one-piece swimmers can shorten the body
- No support or squashing the bust is not flattering (plus is potentially damaging to breasts)
- Cut-outs attract the eye and can undermine the smooth lines desired when wearing swimwear
And don’t forget…
Of course, swimwear needs to be functional. Take the time to consider what water activities you’re going to be doing! Are you relaxing on a sun lounge, or are you out there combatting strong waves? Your swimwear must work for you.
Here are some final tips to consider:
- Choose lined swimmers
- Go for swimmers with built-in bust support
- Opting for bikini separates can help you get a better fit
If you need personalised styling advice, you’ll find our Body Shape Analysis is the perfect place to start. We hope you find the right swimwear for you this summer season – full of comfort and confidence.