Bikini Styles

The Myth: Bikinis are only for perfect bodies. Many women mistakenly think that they can hide their physical flaws under a conservative one-piece swimsuit, but remember that even one-piece swimsuits are essentially skin hugging, and flaws may still show in the end.

The Fact: A woman can look just as good in one of the following bikini styles that is chosen correctly to flaunt what she has got, and mask what she has not.

Bikini Styles For Your Body GENERAL TIPS
■ Choose suits with at least 15 percent spandex to minimize flabby areas.
■ Choose your tops and bottoms separately so that you can find the best fit. Separates may sometimes cost a little more, but they’re worth the investment!
■ Try a size larger for your top, and a size smaller for your bottom.

Bikini Styles For Body Types
■ If you intend to perform moderate to vigorous activities in your suit, such as swimming or playing beach volleyball, avoid flimsy string bikinis.
■ Go for graphic appeal: bright cheerful colors and flirty floral or retro prints rather than plain, simple neutrals.
■ If you’re unsure about which type and color of bikini to go for, safe bets are halter types in pink tones. Halters are so versatile because they provide enough support for the ample-busted, yet help create the illusion of cleavage for the small-chested.pink hues are flattering to almost all skin tones from fair to dark-skinned women, and everything in between.

Small Breast Bikini Styles
■ To create fuller cleavage, wear a padded underwire halter-neck top.
■ Printed tops help maximize a small bust.
• Breasts can look bigger with a bandeau top.
• A demi-bra (half-cup) style makes the most of a dainty bust-line.
• Look for a top with adjustable straps that tie behind the neck and around the back so that you can tighten and adjust to help fill out your top line.
la If you’re self-conscious about your small breasts, opt for textured details at the top, such as ruffles and smocking.
• If you’re happy with small, perky breasts, you can show them off with those tiny triangle tops!

Big Breasts Bikini Styles
■ You may need some extra support. Go for underwire tops to eliminate sagging breasts.
■ Halter-top bikinis can be a good choice for bust support while providing sexy cleavage, too.
■ Look for styles that are banded around the midriff for that extra lift, with tie-straps around the neck and back to allow for a more personalized fit.
■ Wide shoulder straps will be more comfortable than thin spaghetti straps.
■ Avoid strapless bandeau tops and flimsy triangle tops that offer minimal coverage. Instead, pick a dark-colored bikini top with a high or square-cut neck.
■ Choose a wider-cut bottom to balance out your silhouette.
■ Opt for bikini bottoms with a belt, colored band, or drawstring to bring attention to your bottom.

Wide Shoulders Bikini Styles
■ Play up your lower torso with bikini bottoms that have lots of light color and a printed design.
■ Look for decorative elements at the hips—ties, belts, and sashes—to bring attention to your trim bottom.
■ Avoid plunging necklines or tiny bikini bottoms that will visually narrow your hips.

Big Hips Bikini Styles
■ Wear bikini bottoms that are a shade or two darker than your tops.
■ Wear high-cut bikini bottoms that elongate your legs and make your hips and thighs appear slimmer. This cut will also make you look trimmer from behind!
■ Avoid horizontal stripes, and opt for vertical prints.
■ Miniskirted bikinis are made for you. Just avoid frilly ones that add more volume to the hip area. Pick a smooth, slimming skirt that conceals only where you need it to.
■ Draw attention upward with a ruffled or highly decorated top with wider straps to balance out your body proportions.
■ Stay away from boy shorts, as well as skimpy or ruffled bottoms. They just add more bulk to your hips.

Short Torso or Legs Bikini Styles
■ Find a bikini bottom cut high on the thigh. This will make your legs look much longer. If your hips are curvy, this cut will further accentuate your smaller waist and lend a more feminine line.
■ Consider wearing a bikini with a plunging neckline to elongate your body.
■ Avoid skirted bikinis and boy shorts, which draw the eye downward and can make you look shorter.
# If you’re petite, choose bikinis with thin vertical stripes to lengthen your torso.

Long Body Bikini Styles
• Boy shorts and ruffled skirts are just the things for your slim hips.
■ Avoid vertical stripes, high necklines, and dark solid colors.

Straight Waist
■ Try wearing a high-cut bikini bottom, especially with a belted waistline for a more feminine curve.
■ Add some illusion of volume at the hips with ruffles, bows, and sashes.

Plus-Sizes Bikini Styles
■ Go for dark, cool solid colors.
■ If you favor prints, choose those with vertical stripes or herringbone V-patterns.
▪ Sheer sarongs are great as cover-ups—yet so elegant!
• The best styles for you are tankinis that cover the tummy just
enough, but are as hip as bikinis.
■ Consider a skirted bikini to conceal and divert attention from a too-round bottom.