Finding the perfect swimsuit
RULE 1 Take someone you trust shopping. Clearly, you’d prefer no witnesses at all, but you need an honest opinion from someone when wriggling into that Lycra. Don’t rely on the sales assistants for an unbiased appraisal.
RULL 2 If you’ve only allocated an hour for the hunt and don’t find anything suitable within this time, you’ll probably settle for something you’ll regret. Make sure you set aside at least a couple of hours for swimsuit shopping.
RULE 3 Different brands, different fits. Just because you’re a size 12 in that pink one doesn’t mean you won’t be size 14 in the blue. Forget the pride of buying a smaller size and err on the side of figure flattering, even if it means overcoming the psychological dilemma of a larger label!
RULE 4 Check swimsuit labels for fabric type. Lycra offers a firmer fit, while polyester and nylon are a little looser and sometimes more comfortable for people carrying extra weight.
RULE 5 Health regulations stipulate that underwear must be worn while trying on swimsuits. So, never wear your biggest, bulkiest pair of knickers. A flesh-coloured G-string is the best choice, as it won’t interfere with the line of the swimsuit. The next-best option is a high-cut pair of knickers in a natural tone. Black or floral knickers will only distract from the swimsuit.
RULE 6 A firm fit is better than a loose fit. Most swimsuits are made from Lycra, polyester or nylon, so the fabric will stretch. But if the armholes, legholes or straps cut into you, go up a size. If your boobs are bursting out of the top, it means the suit doesn’t fit. Tight around the bottom just means fabric bunching and creeping north. Baggy swimsuits should be put back on the rack.
RULE 7 Take a deep breath and check the final fit in a full-length mirror, from at least one metre away. As most fitting rooms are small, this may mean stepping out into the corridor and looking at yourself in the public mirror. (This is no time to be sny. If you think you can wear the swimsuit you’ve chosen on a beach, you shouldn’t be shy about stepping out in it in a department store.) Plus, the more light the better - remember, it will be worn in harsh summer sunlight.
RULE 8 Lycra has a shelf-life of two years only. Then the fabric begins to deteriorate - it will thin out and stretch. It is false economy to think you can hang onto a swimsuit for any longer than this; the suit will begin to sag in all the worst spots, and the fabric could break down. Best, therefore, to avoid swimsuit sales, where you don’t know how old the garments on offer are. They could be two to three seasons old. This could mean you’ll only get six weeks’ wear out of what you thought was a new suit.
RULE 9 If your weight fluctuates, look for a swimsuit with soft details, such as the thickness of the straps and density of the fabric. If your weight suddenly goes up, straps won’t cut in.
RULE 10 Swimsuits are more see-through when wet, so if the costume is a bit transparent when dry, it’s only going to get worse in water. Colours to be careful of are pinks, reds, fluoros, pastels and, of course, white. Speedo is the only swimsuit company in Australia that uses a completely opaque white fabric, which ensures it isn’t see-through when wet. Otherwise, make sure that the swimsuit is double-lined.
RULE 11 Check the quality of the swimsuit carefully. Check that clips and attachments fasten properly and are sewn securely. While it is possible to return swimsuits with faulty catches, many companies sell out of their fashion items quickly and won’t be able to replace the suit for you. And check all the seams are intact. They’re easily repaired by manufacturers but, unless you have a stretch stitch on your sewing machine at home, you won’t be able to make these repairs.
RULE 12 Steer clear of swimsuits with too much detailing. Fringing, flowers, beads and frills can look fussy, never wash well and tend to look tired before the rest of the swimsuit.
WHAT COLOUR AND DESIGN WILL SUIT YOU
Don’t buy a swimsuit based on your favourite colour. Even if you love pink or yellow, these colours don’t suit many people.
BLACK When in doubt, buy black. It is the most flattering, unless you are particularly skinny.
NAVY A great choice, second only to black. It suits most people and is flattering to most figure shapes.
RED Looks best on blondes, but you need to be confident to wear this colour successfully, as it is so bright and eyecatching. It can also be a bit transparent, especially when wet.
YELLOW Looks bad on everybody but the really tanned, because it brings out the yellow tones in the skin.
PURPLE Good on both blondes and brunettes. For those with a little more confidence than basic black-wearers.
AQUA A bright, bold and happy colour that has a summery feel and can look good on both blondes and brunettes.
FUCHSIA Looks great on people wanting to achieve the golden-girl look. A tan is a prerequisite.
PALE PINK To be avoided at all costs. This colour flatters nobody, least of all people with pale-to-medium skin tones. Flesh-coloured tones blend in with your skin, making you look like one huge expanse of flesh!
FLUORO COLOURS Best for sporting, athletic types with great bodies and tans. Fluoro says “look at me” so,unless you want to draw attention to yourself, steer clear.
PASTELS Only pretty on infants and toddlers. Lemon, baby blue and coral pink tend to look insipid unless you have a tan.
ORANGE Great for people with dark hair and dark skin. Blondes with pale skin should avoid it.
BROWN A fashion colour that only comes in every few seasons. Stands a better chance on blondes than brunettes.
GREEN This looks great on someone with red/amber locks and pale skin.
WHITE Should only be worn if you have a great figure and a tan. Enough said.
SPOT Can look smart on blondes and brunettes. Big dots are better on slimmer people, small dots on larger people.
STRIPES If you’re overweight or short, avoid horizontal stripes. If you’re skinny or tall, avoid vertical stripes.
METALLICS Unless you have a fab figure and a tan, avoid shiny material; it can make you look huge.
FLORALS Great for teenagers.. .so best avoided! There is one exception to this rule. Some women live by the theory that if you can’t hide it, decorate it. If that’s the case and you feel good about it, go for it.
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