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Swimwear Trends and Fitting Tips

It's that time of the year, the holiday season is approaching and you're probably thinking about lounging by the pool, swimming in the warm sea in some beautiful location or cold-water swimming closer to home. Whatever your summer brings, swimwear is probably on the agenda: a classic one-piece or a daring bikini.Which one is for you? Or maybe it's both. So, let's look at some of the trends and my fitting tips when buying swimwear.

Colour:

There are plenty of bold colours and designs which lend themselves beautifully in the bright summer sunshine. The vibrant tones I am seeing this season are green, citrus and cobalt, check out Seafolly and Hunza G for an array of colours.

But if these are too bright, fear not there are plenty of delicate pastels with lilac being a highlight from Marysia. If you prefer more earthy tones, rich copper or stone may be for you at M&S. For that beach party feel, check out the metallics from Boden to create a sparkle. If vibrant colours and metallics are too out there for your beachwear wardrobe there are classic black, white, red and monochrome pieces which are standout options from Simply B and Reiss.

Patterns and Prints:

Some beautiful patterns and prints this season make swimwear far more interesting and fun to wear. You can never go wrong with tropical and paisley prints from Melissa Odabash and Maryan Mehlhorn are beautiful this season. If you're not a lover of the bold prints but still want to be a part of this trend, try something with a petite ditsy print at Bravissimo. Tie dye is another great way toplay on the print trend, Triumph is doing red and blue combinations.

Details, Details, Details: 

There are so many wonderful details to create interest in your swimwear this season,taking it all to another level which I'm loving. Opt for the belted one piece to nip in the waist or a daring cut out along the waistline to show a little bit more at Alexandra Miro. One shoulder options or ruffle details add a touch of glamour: Pour Moi, Magel Coronel, and Next are all offering these styles. Or maybe you want to opt for the bikini top and bottom with strappy details or simple string closures for a more relaxed beach look from VIX. 

For the active beachgoer, sporty swimwear is the way to go. Stylish one pieces with front zip detailing and racer backs not only makes it functional but also adds a stylish twist allowing you to do water sports with confidence, look at Heidi Klein.

Fitting Tips:

With all this in mind, it can still be a bit daunting shopping for swimwear, the key is to shop early, not right in peak season when many sizes are sold out, especially if you're opting for a mix and match bikini. It can be so frustrating finding the perfect top and then the bottom is sold out in your size.

Find shapes which work best for you and that feel comfortable.

Look at your briefs in your lingerie drawer and decide which style looks best on you. That's usually a good indication as to what bikini bottom will look good on you. Avoid buying anything too tight as it will only add bulges in other places. 

If you want to wear a triangle bikini top and you are a fuller cup size, choose one which can be tied at the back with strings rather than a clasp closure. Buy a larger size that will allow you to tighten it on the band to your desired size, but it will also give you more width across the cups at the front which will give you more coverage.

If your cupsize is small and you're finding it difficult to fill the cups and want moreshape, add a bikini pad to the inside of the cups. Bikini pads can be bought online or recycle pads from your old swimwear.

If buying an underwired bikini, check that the wire sits behind your breast. If it's sitting on the breast, it will be uncomfortable, cause bulging and look unflattering. Remember it's a bikini top not a bra so you may have less coverage than your everyday bra.   

When buying a one piece choose a suitable length for your body, anything too short will feel like it's pulling and look unflattering. If it's too long, it will wrinkle around your bottom.

If you are buying a cup sized swimsuit, take into consideration that a smaller band size will also be smaller on the bottom for example a 32F will fit about a size 10 bottom, if you're bigger on the bottom, go for a sister size to give you more around the bum and hips. Example 32F the sister size is 34E that will give you the fit of a size 12 bottom.  

If you are shopping for swimwear post breast cancer surgery and you are wearing a swim breast form, find a good seamstress to sew in bra pockets to the inside of the cups. This will allow you to wear more options or even your existing favourite piece which you wore before your surgery.  

Embrace your shape and style, don't put yourself in a box without trying on a style which you love but feel you can't wear because your cup size is too small or too full. Think about how you feel, do you feel confident? Choose swimwear that YOU feel good in.

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