The Dreaded Swimsuit

Very few people, unless they live in an area where they are beach bound all of the time and it is part of the "uniform," are comfortable picking out a bathing suit for summer, much less wearing one. In an attempt to demystify the process and to help you find the style that will enhance your body, here are a few pointers.

Let's face it. A bathing suit doesn't cover much (some less than others) so we can't hide behind layers of fabricÂ…or can we?

3 Don'ts For Just About Everyone:

• Boy Shorts or Boy Legs
• String tie halter tops
• The big poofy skirted suits

I had a client who wears a size 2 shopping for a suit and she insisted that she wanted boy shorts because they "covered more." So I decided to humour her and see if she has learned anything from our months of wardrobe shopping. She tried on the bottoms and let out a yelp. "These are just awful," she replied. And it is true. They are just awful on just about everyone.

String halter-tops fall into that category as well. Unless you have very pert breasts and not very large ones at that, the string halter is a no-no. That would be followed by the poofy (yes, that is a made-up word) skirts. Many older people will buy them out of modesty, as will heavier women. Please don't. There are other ways to cover up that won't make you look like a beached whale.

When shopping for a bathing suit, go to a store that has the tops and bottoms separately if you are buying a two-piece. Many of us are not the same size in both places and a swim suit needs to fit properly.

Speaking of two-pieces, who should be wearing what style? Say "no" to the two pieces if there is flab where there shouldn't be. OK here we go! Hold on to your swim suit!

7 Simple Rules to Choose a Swim Suit:

1. Choose a color and print that is flattering to your skin tone and body type.
2. To enhance small breasts, use a print on top with a top that ties behind the neck.
3. To minimize large breasts, use a tank style top but use caution. Avoid the uni-breast look.
4. Slim the hips by not having the suit bottom rest on the area you want to minimize.
5. Long torsos will look longer in a one piece. Try a tankini with a little shin showing in the middle to shorten your body.
6. Hide a stomach with a one-piece that has a little gathering at the middle (a bit extra fabric).
7. No waist? Create one with a one piece that is cut out at the sides or that has a sash or belt.

For accessories:

• Flip flops or sandals with a little heel or thickness will make you look less dumpy as you walk.
• Wear a sarong or skirt to cover up your legs if you want modesty or are trying to hide your thighs when not in the water. Choose a print or color that is flattering and tie it in a location that does not emphasize a bad area.
• A cotton gauze or sheer cover up is great for getting from place to place but remember that the sun will go through it. Wear sun block at all times.

Have a great summer!

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles, is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company's creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net

© 2005 Indra A Books for ON THE GO 4 U