Swimsuits, swimwear, or bathing suits, however you may call them, a new Summer Season is always a great reason to treat yourself to a new selection. Some may think that finding the perfect swimsuit is a daunting exercise. It may be when you don’t know what to look for. After all, it must meet many requirements: look good on your skin, fit your figure well and be fashionable and up-to-date.
In this post, we will cover four essential characteristics of any swimsuit that will help you to make the right choice. We will look at the Material, Colour, Print and Style.
How to Find Great Swimwear
When choosing a new bathing suit, go through this checklist to cover the basics:
Know Your Body Type:
- Understand your body shape and focus on highlighting your favourite features.
- Consider the areas you want to emphasize or downplay.
Consider Your Activities:
- If you are into active water sports, opt for a swimsuit with secure straps and good support.
- For lounging by the pool, you may have more flexibility with style and design.
Choose the Right Size:
- Ensure that the swimsuit fits well to avoid discomfort or wardrobe malfunctions.
- Pay attention to the sizing chart provided by the brand, as sizes can vary.
Consider Support and Coverage:
- If you need extra support, look for swimsuits with underwire or built-in bra cups.
- High-neck or full-coverage bottoms might be preferable for more modest coverage.
Understand Fabric:
- Check the fabric composition to ensure the swimsuit is suitable for your intended use.
- Some fabrics may be more durable for frequent swimming, while others are better for sunbathing.
- Remember that direct sunlight can quickly strip a beautiful garment of its original appearance if made from low-quality materials. It is worth mentioning that seawater is saturated with salt, which can be harsh on any fabric.
There are plenty of fabrics to choose from when buying your new bathing suit. However, the main fabrics to remember are Tactel, Polyamide, and Microfiber.
- Tactel: This synthetic material withstands saltwater well, dries quickly, and maintains its shape. It also feels pleasant to the touch and can provide comfort when worn.
- Polyamide: Polyamide fabrics, also known as nylon, are known for their strength and ability to withstand moisture and salt exposure. They also have good resistance to sun fading.
- Microfiber: This material provides softness and comfort and dries quickly. It is usually well-suited for beachwear.
Adding Lycra or Elastane to the composition of a swimsuit also has several advantages:
- Elasticity: Lycra provides elasticity to the fabric, allowing the item to stretch well and conform to the body’s shape, ensuring a good fit and comfort.
- Durability: Lycra can increase the swimsuit’s lifespan, as it is resistant to stretching and retains its properties even after multiple washes and exposure to chemicals in seawater.
Understand Care:
- It is highly recommended to hand wash your swimsuit in cold water with a mild/gentle detergent and line dry out of direct sunlight after use.
When choosing bathing suits, besides the fit, there are a few other things that I would check for. These are material, colour, print and finish.
So, when choosing a swimsuit, consider the fabric composition to ensure comfort and durability in beach and saltwater conditions, shape retention, the ability to dry quickly, resist wrinkling, and not fade in the sun.
Here are pieces created from durable fabrics designed to support, smooth and sculpt.
Select a Style That Fits Your Personality:
- Choose a swimsuit that reflects your personal style and makes you feel confident.
- Experiment with different colours, patterns, and cuts to find what you like.
If you want to accentuate and visually enhance your bust, opt for swimsuits with:
- A top that has cup shapes like triangles, padded inserts
- Ruffles and frills
- A halter top
- Elaborate decorations around the chest area
- A bandeau top highlighting the décolletage
However, if you want to emphasise your bust without making the upper part of your body look bulky, go for:
- A simple bralette or a bikini top with straps, but not extremely thin ones, as they can make your shoulders appear wider.
Large cups, underwire, dense fabric, and reliable straps would be more suitable for larger busts.
If you want to create the illusion of slimmer, less curvy hips, choose one of the following:
- A swimsuit with plain, skirted bottoms, shorts, or string bikinis
- Single-coloured bottom without frills, rhinestones, large prints, or colour accents.
- The bottoms should not be too wide, as they can create an additional horizontal line at the hip area and make them look bulkier.
However, opt for swimsuits with bright and decorated bottoms to draw attention to your hips.
High-cut bottoms with side ties are the most suitable to create an illusion of elongating the legs.
If you want to conceal the stomach, draping, high-waisted bottoms, or a side-tied pareo will help you achieve this effect.
Different swimsuit styles can address the following goals:
- One piece with moulded cups will emphasise your overall silhouette and visually enhance your bust.
- Plunge neckline: It will accentuate your décolletage and elongate your silhouette due to the extremely deep neckline.
- High neck: It will highlight your chest and visually broaden your shoulders.
- Tankini: It will conceal your midsection with a tank-style top.
- Monokini: It will create curves and make your figure appear slimmer with its cutout design and emphasis on curves.
- Swim dress: A fitted mini-dress will make your hips look fuller while keeping the upper part neat.
Ultimately, the key is to choose a swimsuit style that complements your body type and aligns with your personal preferences and comfort level.
Consider Your Natural Colour Palette and Contrast Level:
- Experiment with different colours and patterns to find what you like.
- To make sure you are making the right choice, it is essential to understand your contrast level and see whether it is high or low.
LOW CONTRAST
If you have a natural blonde hair colour and you have fair skin, it is most likely that your contrast level is low. Therefore, a bright swimsuit would not be a great option for you, as it could divert attention away from you and your features and instead direct it towards the item; in this case, it is a swimsuit.
To get a composed and harmonious look, consider slightly muted or pastel shades to avoid being overshadowed by your swimsuit. It’s also advisable to avoid white, as it can make fair-skinned individuals appear very pale, and black, which can make reddish hair appear grey against its backdrop.
HIGH CONTRAST
Your contrast level is likely high if you have dark chestnut or dark red hair with fair skin or jet-black hair with tanned skin. In this case, muted or pastel shades may give tan or dark skin a grey, unhealthy look. The least it can do is it can break up the look into three parts, accentuating the contrast between the tan and light shades.
However, a swimsuit in bright red or other bright colours or a combination of two or more can complement your look. Black-and-white patterns and neon colours can also enhance tan skin, as they emphasise your tan.
So, when shopping for a swimsuit, consider your overall appearance to enhance your beach style and not overshadow your other attractive features.
Consider Correct Prints:
- Consider Your Body Shape: Different prints can accentuate or downplay certain body features. For example, vertical stripes can create the illusion of a longer and leaner silhouette, while diagonal or horizontal lines may have the opposite effect. Choose prints that flatter your body shape and emphasise your assets.
- Scale of the Print: The size of the print matters. Smaller, delicate prints can appear more subtle and are less likely to overpower your figure. Larger, bolder patterns can make a statement but may draw more attention to specific areas. Select print scales that align with your comfort level and style.
- Colour and Contrast: Pay attention to the print’s colour palette and contrast. Darker colours or prints with higher contrast can be more slimming, while lighter or more vibrant colours can draw attention. Balance your desired level of attention with the colours and contrasts in print.
- Placement of the Print: Some swimsuits feature strategic print placement to create visual effects. For instance, a dark band at the waist can give the illusion of a narrower waistline. Explore how the print is positioned on the swimsuit and how it complements your body shape.
- Choose Prints That Reflect Your Personality: Personal style matters. If you love a particular print and it makes you feel confident and comfortable, go for it. Confidence can be the key to looking and feeling great in your swimsuit.
- Try Before You Buy: If possible, try on the swimsuit to see how it fits and how the print looks on your body. This will give you a better idea of how it complements your figure.
- Accessorize Thoughtfully: The right accessories, such as cover-ups, hats, or sunglasses, can enhance your beach look and complement your printed swimsuit.
Remember that fashion is about expressing yourself and feeling confident in your choices. Don’t be afraid to experiment with prints and styles to find the one that suits you best and makes you feel great on the beach or by the pool.
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