The hot new tankini of the season for a sophisticated and sexy look. The v-neck top with soft bra cup enhances your bust with a shirred band below the chest that adds a detail to the suit that slims the waist. The brief is a solid color.

Looking forwards to the summer holidays? I am already taking advantage of every little ray of sunshine popping through the sky to get a bit of colour before the full summer season is here. Like every year I am faced with a pile of swimsuits and bikinis that are either too big, too small, too dull or too showy. So, this year I am throwing away all my existing swimwear and I am starting from scratch determined to find the perfect fitting swimwear for every occasion. How do I do that? First of all if you are planning to do the same you should start having a good look in the mirror. This might seem obvious but lets face it... when was the last time that you looked at yourself naked with a critical eye in a full length mirror?
Looking at yourself from different angles will help you decide what do you want to cover and what do you want to show off. Do not worry, all of us have something that we are not happy with. Even the supermodels have areas which they are not proud off! Quite often, we overlook the fact that we might have great legs, or a generous bust that enhances our figure.
Look at yourself carefully, not just at your "embarrassing" areas, but also at the areas you can show off proudly. That is, find your body shape and work with it to its best advantage.

Lenny Swimwear for 2008 is modern, clean and sleek. This beautiful, halter-style maillot is no exception. Done in a rich green, with soft ruching to create a slim waist, and sliding ring and stone detail to accentuate the bustline.

This suit was featured in the May 2008 issue of Glamour Magazine. Sophisticated, sexy and slenderizing one piece wrap front swim suit by Always For Me. This flattering suit has complete powernet lining for tummy and waist control.

Choosing the perfect swimwear for your body type can fill you with confidence and enhance your whole vacation experience. After all, who wants to wear a bikini that looks great when you are lying down but you need to be in a constant "sucking air" position when you stand up?
The most important thing when choosing your swimwear should be to feel comfortable in it. Stop worrying about your shape while you are at the beach or swimming pool. Look for styles that suit your figure, not just whatever is fashionable. Do all the homework when you are buying your swimwear so you can relax and enjoy yourself when you are wearing it. Always try things on before buying. Wear it, stretch it, lift your arms, squat, sit and see how the suit holds up. Remember that you want to avoid showing too much bottom when you squat, or the odd boob popping out during a volleyball match, or your bikini bottoms becoming untied in a wild sea!
That brings me to next point in choosing your swimwear. Keep in mind what are you going to do with it. I mean, are you the type that spends the day swimming? Do you enjoy water sports? Then a one piece might be a wise choice. If you go to the beach with small children you will be doing lots of squatting so if you want to wear a bikini, a high waist bottom would be more comfortable and would avoid embarrassing situations. Remember not to wear tie-on swimwear if you have young children... they always find a way to untie your swimwear and expose your assets to the world. On the other hand, if you are the lazy type -like me- that just likes to tan while beautifying the beach... a small bikini is your best bet.
Do not buy a bikini thinking that it will look better once you have lost those extra inches. We never do and end up with a bikini too small for our size. The best thing is to be realistic about your body and accept it the way it is.

How to look good in a bikini?

First of all, draw attention from your trouble areas, which for most women are the tummy and hips. Enhance your breasts and this will take the attention away from hips and waist line. Look for styles that are cut higher on the leg. Halter-top styles look good on large busts and provide the necessary support. Tankinis work wonders on covering tummies, and boy-cut shorts and skirts can hide less than perfect thighs.

Swimwear to enhance a small bust

If you are pear-shaped, you might benefit from wearing moulded cups as opposed to flattening ones. You might even try additional padding to even your shape and give an illusion of an hour glass silhouette. Look for horizontal striping or printed details at the bust line

Feel like a true star in this 50s inspired polka dot bikini with gingham trim. Sizes start with a D cup.

Swimwear to support a curvaceous bust:

A curvaceous or large bust can be difficult to manage in a bikini unless you wear the right support to make it look stunning. If you wear a C cup or up, you might want to consider extra bust support: with proper bra cup sizes that fit well. Also halter type tops give excellent support.
Remember: Look for full bra cups Additional elastic band support all the way around the suit, concealed underwire support and adjustable secure thick straps rather than string ties, which are less secure.
Also helps to get more coverage at the armhole. Look for special contoured bras and flattering necklines. Choose solid colours for a more slimming effect.
If you have an ample breast and a small bottom, try flashier and brighter bikini bottoms than your top to give the illusion of an hourglass figure.

With a belt and a zip so you can decide yourself how much do you want to show! From La Redoute, France in sizes 42 to 58.

Also from La Redoute in sizes 42 to 58

If you have large hips

If you have large hips and want to conceal them, try a minimiser swimsuit or a tankini that skips over your hips. There are also some fantastic skirts that match your bikinis. Look at slimming dark plain colours and bottoms that fit you snugly.
A style between a hipster and a high waist is best for curvaceous hips. Avoid shorts, they will only make you look larger... even if they are black! Enhance your bust with frills and brighter colours to offset your wider bottom half.

Apple shaped girls

If your waist is larger than your shoulders and hips, you should look for swimsuits which emphasize your top area or special necklines such as a halter-top or V-neck to draw the eye upwards and away from your waist.
Princess seaming down the front of the suit and creative accents at the waistline, will create a visual waist. V-necks will slenderize your face and minimize your waist area.

Materials:

Look for high lycra content, which really helps hold in your stomach. Try to find a "girdle type" hold. Super stretch fabrics will help with the tummy control. Before you leave the shop, make sure that your new swimsuit or bikini is not see-through. Some materials became very thin when wet and not only show off nipples but also scars.

Colours:

Most women who want to conceal their curves tend to wear black. But remember that black can look very harsh in white pale people. Darker colours have an instant slimming effect, and this is true also for solid dark colours such as brown, dark blue, deep purple and dark reds.
You can use colour to create shape. For example, a black swimsuit with an hourglass shape leopard pattern at the front, will create the illusion of an hourglass shape!

Chloe Marshall

Who can wear what?

• High leg bottoms are great for women with short legs.
• Tankinis are great for covering the tummy area
• Hipsters are ideal for women with long legs.
• Metallic colours, shiny fabrics and horizontal stripes should be left for the slim and young girls as they add weight and width to the silhouette.

Never be afraid of revealing your best assets in swimwear - highlighting your good parts will do wonders for your confidence on the beach, drawing people's attentions towards your favourite bits!