Maintaining a healthy body image nowadays isn’t an easy task. From the perfect body pictures we see every day scrolling through our Instagram feed to the ones in fashion and lifestyle magazines, everyone seems to have a beautiful, toned and sculpted body, cellulite-free and flawless skin. However, this is far away from the truth. Seeing these photoshopped pictures daily we seem to forget that this isn’t how normal bodies look. We tend to overlook the fact that there are no two bodies in the world that look the same, even if two people have the same nutrition, proportions and do the same exercise.
Normalising our normal bodies seems more manageable when we cover ourselves in clothes on a cold winter day, but it becomes more struggling as the summer approaches and we need to show some skin. And then, our biggest struggle arises, finding the perfect swimsuit. One that we like the way it fits our body, makes us feel confident and comfortable at the same time. Is that even possible? It sure is. Accepting our bodies the way they are is important, but so is acknowledging our body type.
Although every body has a unique shape, there are 5 most common women body types – rectangle (athletic), triangle, inverted triangle, hourglass and round. Besides standing in front of the mirror for our daily affirmations, it would be useful to spend some time there and figure out what’s our body type. This would also help us realise what parts of our figure we want to highlight and pick our swimwear according to that. These are some tips to help you choose the right swimsuit for you and make the best out of it.
Bikinis – Find the Perfect Fit for Your Figure
Bikinis come in a range of styles and colours. That makes them the perfect fit for every body type. When buying your set, look for designer bikinis that are sold as separates so you can find the right bikini top and the right bikini bottom for your body. That way, you won’t get stuck with a top you love and a bottom you hate, and you can also mix and match colours and shapes to your style.
As bikinis are designed to mostly cover our bust and bottoms, having these body parts on our minds when choosing a fit for our bodies, would be most helpful. What’s the most flattering bikini? If you have larger busts, not having the proper support may lead to an aching back and painful strap marks. That’s why you want to choose bikini tops available in bigger cup sizes, preferably with an invisible under bust support and removable cups. Models with wide shoulder straps with no fastener provide maximum comfort for swimming and lounging and a square or a V-shaped neckline flatter the décolletage in a special way.
If you have smaller busts, you can go for sporty aesthetic tops with top wraps going around your body from the centre front, giving an uplifted perky look or you can choose a more open V neckline triangular bra with or without straps. When it comes to the bottoms, cuts with soft edges look complimentary to any figure as they become one with skin. If you want to enhance your curves, choose a high thigh bottom Brazilian style and if you want more coverage for a flattening effect choose a high waist bottom with a flattering high cut leg in a 90’s sporty style. High waist bikini bottoms are also a great fashion choice if you want to cover your belly.
High-quality designer bikinis tend to fit every body type not only because of their cut but also because of the fabrics. Look for a fabric with a unique 3D stretch technology with high shaping power, breathable and moisture-wicking like the Italian Lycra. Not only that this material is engineered to sculpt, shape and flatter the female form, but it’s also cool, light and breathable, resistant to chlorine, suntan creams and oils and offers high UPF50+ protection. Lasting 10 times longer than average swimwear fabrics, buying bikinis made out of such fabric makes for a sustainable bikini choice. Not only you’ll look great, but you’ll also care for the planet.
One Piece Swimsuit – We’ve Got You Covered
No woman should ever feel pressured to cover some part of her body as it’s inappropriate to have some extra belly or wider hips. However, if a girl feels more confident with extra support in some areas, she should go for it. For example, if you’re round-shaped (apple-like), meaning your frame is wider in the shoulders and bust, with a round tummy and slim legs, highlighting your legs with a high leg one-piece swimsuit with a shaping effect and V-neckline may be the right thing to do. That will make you not only look good but it’ll also boost your confidence level. If your body is more of a triangle shape, meaning you have hips wider than your upper body, choosing a striped or patterned swimsuit with more details on the upper top of it will help you create a visual balance. And for the athletically shaped gals, a swimsuit in geometrical patterns seems to be the fun swimwear piece for any occasion.
Style It Right and Accessorise
Styling and accessorising your swimwear look have a lot to do with whether you will wear it with confidence or not. Wearing your bikinis with a mini cotton dress and a nice pair of sandals will give you a boost that you won’t get from wearing it with shorts and flip flops. Complete your one-piece swimwear look with a staple maxi dress and a tote bag and you’ll feel like owning the perfect beach look. Don’t forget your hat and your sunglasses and you’re ready to go.
Nothing can feel more daunting than choosing swimwear, especially if you’re struggling with your body image. But choosing the right swimsuit can make you feel more confident and help you enjoy summer days in their full glory.
