For many women, the onset of summer brings a feeling of trepidation, at the thought of puting on a swimsuit. Exposing your white body parts to the sun after so long under wraps involves the decision of whether to go for a one-piece or a bikini.
Whilst this partly depends on how much your body has weathered the storm of past seasons, or how often you work out in the gym, it also critically depends on how confident you feel in your own skin. According to stylist Gok Wan, author of How to Look Good Naked, more than 90% of British women say that they dislike their bodies.
Learn to Accentuate Your Best Bits
Developing bodily self-confidence is about learning to be positive about your body, and discovering how to accentuate the good bits and play down the bad. Choosing the right styles are just as important for swimwear as for any other item in your wardrobe; particularly when it comes to a bikini, as no other swimwear can subconsciously make you feel as fat. Choose an inappropriate cut , and it will highlight every lump and bump rather than conceal it. Shop cleverly by knowing which styles suit your body shape and you don't have to worry so much about feeling self-conscious on the beach.
The Advantages of a Bikini
In addition to its obvious sex appeal, a bikini exposes more of your skin to the sun and therefore offers greater tanning opportunities. One-piece swimsuits (particularly monokinis) can leave you with some very funny tanning marks, and whilst it’s a good idea to start off wearing one; after your initial exposure to the sun, most of us yearn to don on a bikini at some point, (but some of us are too afraid to do so without frightening the neighbors on the beach!)
Finding the Right Fit
Many women, size-wise, are not in proportion, so buying a one-size-fits-all top and bottom used to present problems. In the past, if you were big-busted with a small butt, you had to put up with baggy bikini bottoms, or if you were pear-shaped then it was often a question of fighting to fill up their top half! Nowadays at least, most major swimwear stockists sell tops and bottoms separately, and even more importantly, sell a variety of different style tops and bottoms, to suit a variation in figure types. From triangular, halter, and bandeau tops, to high-cut, low-cut or boy shorts-type briefs, the choice is endless.
Swimwear Retailers
Swimwear retailers such as Victoria’s Secret and Figleaves offer a huge range of bikinis with a combination of different tops and bottoms. Online celebrity-style retailer Asos, (who have just announced record profits, despite the current credit crunch) have a number of winning designs, including a Jessica Alba inspired Zebra-stripe bikini with red beading detail, highlighted by the Mail Online as one of Asos’s top 5 bestsellers, due to its similarity to Dolce & Gabbana styling and on-trend LA Luxe appeal. For those with a fuller bust, Karen Miller’s zebra padded plunge bikini top,available up to a D cup, gives added support. ASOS bikinis can be bought as separates, giving you flexibility of sizing and the chance to ring the changes with mix and match tops and bottoms.
For women who need a larger cup size then in addition to Figleaves, stockists include Bravissimo and Storm-in-a-D-cup.com.
Author Paul Nchemba
Whilst this partly depends on how much your body has weathered the storm of past seasons, or how often you work out in the gym, it also critically depends on how confident you feel in your own skin. According to stylist Gok Wan, author of How to Look Good Naked, more than 90% of British women say that they dislike their bodies.
Learn to Accentuate Your Best Bits
Developing bodily self-confidence is about learning to be positive about your body, and discovering how to accentuate the good bits and play down the bad. Choosing the right styles are just as important for swimwear as for any other item in your wardrobe; particularly when it comes to a bikini, as no other swimwear can subconsciously make you feel as fat. Choose an inappropriate cut , and it will highlight every lump and bump rather than conceal it. Shop cleverly by knowing which styles suit your body shape and you don't have to worry so much about feeling self-conscious on the beach.
The Advantages of a Bikini
In addition to its obvious sex appeal, a bikini exposes more of your skin to the sun and therefore offers greater tanning opportunities. One-piece swimsuits (particularly monokinis) can leave you with some very funny tanning marks, and whilst it’s a good idea to start off wearing one; after your initial exposure to the sun, most of us yearn to don on a bikini at some point, (but some of us are too afraid to do so without frightening the neighbors on the beach!)
Finding the Right Fit
Many women, size-wise, are not in proportion, so buying a one-size-fits-all top and bottom used to present problems. In the past, if you were big-busted with a small butt, you had to put up with baggy bikini bottoms, or if you were pear-shaped then it was often a question of fighting to fill up their top half! Nowadays at least, most major swimwear stockists sell tops and bottoms separately, and even more importantly, sell a variety of different style tops and bottoms, to suit a variation in figure types. From triangular, halter, and bandeau tops, to high-cut, low-cut or boy shorts-type briefs, the choice is endless.
Mark Consuelos Shares Kelly Ripa's Bikini Pics While On Tropical Spring Vacation
The History of the Stetson Hat
Swimwear Retailers
Swimwear retailers such as Victoria’s Secret and Figleaves offer a huge range of bikinis with a combination of different tops and bottoms. Online celebrity-style retailer Asos, (who have just announced record profits, despite the current credit crunch) have a number of winning designs, including a Jessica Alba inspired Zebra-stripe bikini with red beading detail, highlighted by the Mail Online as one of Asos’s top 5 bestsellers, due to its similarity to Dolce & Gabbana styling and on-trend LA Luxe appeal. For those with a fuller bust, Karen Miller’s zebra padded plunge bikini top,available up to a D cup, gives added support. ASOS bikinis can be bought as separates, giving you flexibility of sizing and the chance to ring the changes with mix and match tops and bottoms.
For women who need a larger cup size then in addition to Figleaves, stockists include Bravissimo and Storm-in-a-D-cup.com.
Author Paul Nchemba
Comments