Swimsuitable - Swimwear Customized for Fashion and Figure 

While men associate the word "swimsuit" with dripping wet Bond girls and Sports Illustrated models, women tend to associate it instead with dreaded dressing room mirrors, crunches they haven't done and exposed cellulite. The right swimwear for your body however can turn this anxiety into confidence! The customizable approach to swim apparel fits each individual garment to flaunt assets and conceal flaws. New trends in thematic patterns, metallic shades, hardware details and cool new cuts create sizzling, sexy summer looks for every body.

The right bikini is certain to make you feel like a goddess. The wrong bikini can make you feel SO uncomfortable, ruining an otherwise perfect, sunny day! To promote the perfect fit bikini tops and bottoms often are sold separately, so that you can mix and match to accurately fit the proportions of your body. Sizes have been expanded from the standard ‘Small', ‘Medium' and ‘Large' to more specific parameters such as clothing sizes and even bra sizes from companies such as Victoria's Secret and Venus.

 


A fierce animal print bikini by Aguaclara

Patterned triangle halter mixed and
matched with solid colored boyshort bottoms, with belt detail by J Jeans by Jasper Conran

There's no shortage of options when it comes to style this season, with suits made in animal print, tropical floral, nautical themed, simple dots and stripes, 1950's retro and metallic solid fabrics. Many companies expand their lines in their most popular prints to include several different cuts of tops and bottoms, to customize not just for size but also for your shape. Owning separate pieces in the same pattern means you can create many different bikini combinations-perfect for traveling or budgeting and still looking like you have an array of different swimwear.

The bandeau, banded halter, underwire and triangle top, as well as hybrids of these different shapes, are among the many bikini tops available. To each her own! The bandeau top, most often strapless or with a decorative tie at the neck is best suited for smaller busts. The folded over, twisted or ruched fabric is ideal for creating the illusion of a bigger bust.

Hawaiian floral print bandeau bikini
with center string tie and matching bottoms, with hardware details by Penneys

More Images

Pink and brown twist strapless bandeau bikini top and fold-over bottoms by Matalan.

Black twist bandeau bikini with center neck strap by Matalan.

 

Multicolor stripes, triangle string bikini set by Red Herring

The triangle top's simple, sexy and youthful exuberance will take you only as far as it can carry you; its thinly lined cups and delicate string ties offer the least amount of support and coverage. Ideally, the roundness of the breast and the cups' triangular shape should stay in tact when worn. It works best on small- to medium-sized busts that are more lifted, such as on the young or artificially enhanced. These tops can be made more accessible with added underwire support, built-in padding or thicker straps.

More Images

White, ruffled triangle top and bikini bottoms by Zimmerman.

Red and white stripe, nautical themed triangle top with center hardware detail and side ring bottoms by Penneys.

The halter is the sportier, more supportive extension of the triangle top. The cups are more solid at the sides, fastened securely behind the neck and often have a banded strap below that supports and enhances cleavage, perfect for the plunging neckline and an ideal choice for larger busts. They often reflect sportier designs as these stay-in-place suits are also preferred over other bikinis for those who want to be more active.

 

Silver halter bikini and matching bottoms with metal hardware details at chest and sides by Vitamin A

More Images

Sporty stripe halter bikini top and bottoms with belt by J Jeans by Jasper Conran.

Underwire is built into this black and
white-dotted, round cup,halter bikini top (by Gorgeous for Fuller Busts) to support a bigger bust.

Underwire tops with more rounded cups create the most flattering bust line when built into any top because of their bra-like design. Some women enjoy the familiar feeling of the bras they are used to wearing. Bustier women might specifically seek out underwire tops because of the unparalleled lifting, separation and support they afford, built into both bikinis and one-piece suits.

More Images

The rounded, padded cups and bra-like structure make this navy and white striped bikini with polka dot ties (by Penneys) a perfectly pretty bust.

Havana floral, rounded cup, underwire string bikini top with side-tie bottoms by Accessorize.

Bikini bottoms are about balance and coverage. From the string bikini-tied at the sides with minimal fabric on the back and front, to the boy short-shaped like men's boxer briefs. Most fall into the category of the scoop bottom, similar to the shape of panties. While the sizes of your rear and waistline certainly affect your choice, so should the lengths of your legs and torso.

Boyshort bottoms balance out a
halter bikini top (by Mantaray) for someone with a lean, sporty figure

Black cutout and rope tied monokini by Aguaclara

Bikinis aren't the only swimsuits making waves at the beach. One new take on the one-piece is creating some serious sexy on the beach simply by cutting out sections of the suit and leaving the rest to the imagination. The monokini's parallel cut outs at each side create the illusion of a tiny waist and look like a bikini from the back. Bite-like chunks taken out of the side or deep V's cut down the center also can create that sexy illusion, by leaving the eye to wonder what's behind the remaining small sections of fabric. It doesn't take a tell-all bikini to make a hot statement.

More Images

Black chainlink pattern monokini by Matalan.

Metallic copper cut-out, one-strap one-piece by Freeman's.

Plunging purple halter by Matalan.

Even if swimwear is largely about coverage for you, there are glamorous and sleek ways to go about it. 1950's themed suits can give you a righteous Marylyn Monroe feel that's anything but aged. Sporty looking suits are flattering and practical while making it appear you've got nothing to hide. Even though these styles provide great coverage, they are anything but your granny-section swimwear!

 

1950's inspired, black strapless
suit with bright floral details by TK Maxx

Brown and beige banana leaf
print kaftan with beaded detailing by Beach by Melissa Odabash

There's often a question about how to fashion your suit out of water when you may want to cover-up a little, such as when walking around your resort or to and from the beach. Instead of covering up completely, complete your swim ensemble by pulling on a coordinating sheer kaftan over your suit of choice. A narrow kaftan or one with a slightly cinched waist will hint at your silhouette in a flattering way. Striking colors or prints as well as embellishments will have you looking just dressed up enough to get away with walking around in your bathing suit without looking overexposed.

After all, it's supposed to be about "fun in the sun" and swimwear shouldn't be something that stresses you out. The truth is, no one spends more time concerned with how your swimsuit looks than you! So slather on the suntan lotion and try to relax . . . even if you are sucking your stomach in!