June 4th, 2012: Going Swimming

It's....SUMMMMMMEERRR!

Time for late nights with friends, s'mores over the campfires, lazy afternoons in the sun...

summer for me are these things, but mostly I associate summer with strawberries, Mom's herbs, mint tea swarming the house with a strong aroma, the Romney Farmer's Market, swimming with my baby cousin, and reading the books I never got to during the school year.  

Summer's also a great time for fashion.  Swim suits, cover-ups, sandals, flip-flops, straw hats, shorts, sundresses, etc.  It's an endless supply of cute outfits! 

The main topic I'd like to focus on though is the topic of bathing suits.  Bathing suits have drastically changed over the years for women.  We've gone from wearing a complete outfit in the ocean to wearing something that can be compared to just wearing a bra and underwear.

So, here's some tips for women of all sizes and shapes to explore the world of bathing suits!

LARGE HIPS: Don't focus on the bottoms.  The top is where it's at.  Go for a high-cut bottom and perhaps a bright colored top.

SMALL BUSTS: Go for embellished tops.  Ruffles, beads, etc.  It adds flair and shows that you're not afraid to show off what could be an insecurity.  *Bandeau tops gives the illusion that you're flatter, so if you don't wish for this issue, avoid bandeau.

EXTRA LOVIN' IN THE WAIST:  The thing to avoid the most are tankinis since the tops tend to cling to body and it emphasizes the waist.  Try a high-cut bottom and a low-cut top of a one piece that draws in the tummy.  

LARGE BUSTS: Triangle tops are the best.  They push up the girls and perks them up in a stylish way.  Having a high neckline doesn't do justice and also makes them appear droopy.

CURVES: Avoid too many wild patterns; stripes are excellent for curves as long as they are vertical.  Waist wraps are also a consideration.

Remember, you are swimming in these suits unless you prefer the shore.  So, some tips to do when picking out your suit:

1.  Lift up your arms to see if the top rides up.

2.  Bend over to see if your bust spills over.

3. Lower your arms to see if stays after lifting your arms and bending over.

4. By relaxing your shoulders, you can see if the straps fall off.

5. Sit cross-legged.  Are they sights to see that shouldn't be seen downstairs?

6. Do some lunges to see if the bottom rides up.  

And something to notice in a suit before you buy for ALL body types:

ALWAYS go for one with a built-in bra or underwiring.  Unless you're planning a white wet t-shirt contest, nobody wants to see it.

A little treat for my Andrew Sisters' fans ; )