Summer Is Just Around the Corner
By Kyleen, age 16, Arizona
With summer just around the corner, it's bathing suit shopping time for girls and women of all ages. But as all girls know, it's hard to find that ONE bathing suit we love, and that will last all summer. But it's not just about the love we have for it or the lifespan it will have. We need to find a bathing suit that completes our shape and flatters our curves. In this article I'll show you how to find a bathing suit that flatters your body, and gives you support for all your curves. I mean no offense to any body shape, mainly because each of us has a body we can look good in with proper clothes and style that complements our form.
PEAR SHAPE
If you happen to have a pear shape outline you may want to find separate pieces for your body. Pear shaped bodies normally consist of a long or slender neck, sloping or narrow shoulders, a narrow back, a small to medium bust, a defined waist, curvy hips and backside, and full thighs and calves. A tankini can be a great choice for you. It can show off your proper curves while hiding ones you want hidden. Try a skirted bottom to go a bit girly, and it will flatter the thigh area of your legs. A swim dress can also be a very nice choice for you. Find a nice print bathing suit, or one with a light but bright color to it.
Tops available for $45 at www.victoriassecret.com
Bottoms available for $29 at www.victoriassecret.com
Tops available for $36 at www.venus.com
Bottoms available for $35 at www.venus.com
APPLE SHAPE
If you have an apple shape you'll want to find a swimsuit to slim down your abdomen area and bring out your lower area. Typical apple shapes have a fuller face and neck, broader shoulders, a fuller breast, a fuller, undefined waist, narrow hips, a flat rear end, and shapely legs. For your body shape try and look for suits that have more support for the breast area. To try and minimize your stomach area find a suit that is cut straight across the middle, or has halter strings. This will also help with the breast section. A skirtini can also be helpful for you, just as it can be for pear shapes.
Swimsuit available for $37.99 at www.jcpenney.com
(left) Swimsuit available for $67.99-75.99 at www.jcpenney.com
(right) Swimsuit available for $44.99-53.99 at www.jcpenney.com
RECTANGLE SHAPE
If you have a rectangular shape, honestly, you can pretty much wear anything. Most rectangle shapes consist of a full neck, a broad back, an average bust, an undefined waist, a balanced figure, and great arms and legs. But to make certain that the suit fit you, find a suit with a form fitting waist, and/or a soft cup support. These styles can help flatter your body, and help make your waist look slimmer and smaller. You could choose to do a regular bottom or boy shorts; either way you can make you legs work well with the suit. My tip for you: draw attention to your body - go with a bright and exciting color.
Tops and bottoms available for $19.99-24.99 each at www.jcpenney.com
Swimsuit available for $12.99 at www.jcpenney.com
(left) Bottoms available for $17.99 at www.jcpenney.com
(right) Bottoms available for $19.99 at www.jcpenney.com
Tops and bottoms available for $19.99-24.99 each at www.jcpenney.com
HOURGLASS SHAPE
Women with an hourglass shape are said to have the perfect womanly form. Your upper half is in proportion to your bottom half, and you have curves in all of the right places. Your body was made for a two piece suit. Your shape normally consists of symmetrical shoulders and hips, full bust, distinctly defined waist, medium to broad hips in proportion to shoulders, and shapely legs. This is even true if you are a plus size hourglass. You don't have to be a size 8 or smaller to wear a two piece swimsuit. Women with fuller figures can bare their tummies too. One suit I would recommend is called "The Ruched Bikini". It's great because the wearer has complete control on how much tummy she bares. It can be rolled down for the more daring, or pulled up past the belly button for those not as brave. It also has more coverage and support for your fuller bust.
Swimsuit available for $49.00 at www.spiegel.com
Don't feel upset about your body shape. There are ways to strut your curves and feel confident while doing it. I myself happen to be a pear shape - because of my genetics I have a larger bottom than most girls. I love my shape, and am proud of it. The reason why companies make different kinds of suits isn't to make women feel bad; it's so they can give every shape a variety of cute and flattering suits.
You don't have to find a slutty, as-revealing-as-possible suit to get your body noticed. Find something that will flatter the curves you were given. This will make your shape stand out in a beautiful and positive way. Your body should be showed off, but not to a point where you barely have any skin covered. Be respectful to your body and its bumps and lumps. Trust me, girls, everyone has them.
