January / Febuary 2004 Newsletter

Savvy Swimwear Shopping

The dilemma of the swimsuit.

With the beautiful sunshine we are experiencing and the holidays in full swing many of us will be shopping for new bathers. It is with personal pain that I realise how I should have written this article sooner and not have to suffer the indignity of sharing with you all the mistakes that I made this summer.

All of the magazine are filled with descriptions on the perfect swimsuit for your body type and style so rather than go down the same road I will share with you those, which I believe are the untold, truths to buying a swimsuit and what you need to remember to make the perfect purchase every time.

Step 1 TIME.
This is a biggie. Don’t rush your purchase. Plan to go shopping. Please do not do as I did and stop on your way to a friend’s place because they called and told you they had a pool and you did not want to turn up in your old well loved and not so firm bathers. Nothing like loose elastic to keep those two sizes too small fitting. As I said plan to go shopping, as you may not find what you are looking for in the first store. Many stores will contain a variety of styles but if their cut is not for you, you may need to search for another label. In my case the top is ok but the bottoms are way too tight and no I am not going to show anyone. Swimwear is like clothing in that the designers make to certain shapes and body types. When you have time on your side you will be able to spend your time on Step 2.

Step 2 SIZE
As I said in the earlier paragraph I made a fatal error in my last purchase. I knew what shape would suit me and I knew what colour would suit me so it simply came down to size. I chose the size I thought I would be and I even allowed for continental drift around my thighs and hips. I ducked into the change room, threw on the bathers, I was pleased with how they looked in the blink test, changed and ducked out again. If I knew how the queue was going to be at the cash register I may have spent another moment going over size. Either way the result is I did not follow the following steps to ensure a great fit
• Check how firm the elastic is. You want the bathers to stay snug against your body but not so tight your cheeks and belly ooze out from the garment
• Do the jiggle test. Now I would not advise doing this outside the change room as it can have dire consequences. Just simply move and jiggle about in the cubicle and even lift your legs to make like you are walking and now see how the bathers fit. Is everything still enclosed? Is everything still flush against your body or have they moved and there is a shift in how your flesh is sitting?
If you are happy still they are a great pair of bathers for you.

Step 3 COLOUR
Ideally chose a colour from your own palette but you can afford to break the rules should you wish. Unless you are wearing high-necked racing swimmers you will have plenty of skin exposed around your shoulders and décolletage so you can virtually wear any colour. If you are very fair I would advise against any of the very vibrant colours. Remember though you may chose to go with the idea of sarong and matching accessories in which case it really should be from your own personal colour palette.

TIPS TO LOOK GREAT IN A SWIMSUIT beware some are slightly tongue in cheek
1. Get a tan – I still recommend the spray on tan for safety and reliability. You are protecting your skin, looking gorgeously bronzed and have no tan marks to worry any outfit you may wish to choose.
2. Recline – the human body responds well to gravity and if you are reclining in a lounger, stomachs look flatter than when you are upright.
3. Wear sporty swimsuits for sporty occasions - If you are into beach volleyball, Frisbees or any other active beach sport you may feel more comfortable in either a one piece or bikinis consisting of boy leg pants and long line tops.
4. Complete your look – purchase a matching sarong, slides or thongs, bag and hat and you will always look fabulous in your swimsuit.
5. Hide your pot belly in either a one piece or high waisted pants
6. Control your breasts and wear some support. Most designers now create tops with support in a variety of shapes so you can have more than the older style bra style of top
7. Small-busted girls can find cleavage in many styles. Now the humble triangle tops also have extra shape and padding in them so you too can wear any style you wish.
8. To take the focus from heavy thighs wear a high cut leg. It will elongate your leg and bring the focus higher up your leg.
9. Wear light strappy sandals, slides or thongs. Any heavy style shoes or chunks soled shoe will instantly make the bottoms of your legs look heavier and unfortunately that illusion can creep up your body.
10. Wear a gorgeous hat –if you believe yourself to have thunder thighs, a jelly roll tummy and droopy breasts wear a great hat. Now this I do say very much tongue in cheek as I have had clients who come to me complaining of being overweight. The truth of the matter is they are gorgeous and just lacking in confidence and I truly believe a great hat can make anyone feel like a princess.

Wherever your are and whatever you do remember the sun can be your worst enemy in summer. So if you are going to spend any time in the sun, socialising, working or playing remember your hat and sunscreen. A higher level of SPF does not stop you from tanning it allows you to stay safely in the sun for a longer period of time.

Remember don’t keep me a secret and share me with your friends.
These articles may be reprinted with consent from the author

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