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Swimwear can hide flaws and play up assets
By DELIA BLACKLER PERRETTA, SPECIAL TO THE RECORD
So you never got around to going to the gym or cutting out carbs, and now, all of a sudden, it's bathing suit season again. Gulp.
If the idea of shopping for swimwear fills you with dread -- if you're feeling more like Esther Williams than a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model -- don't fret, says Lori Haber, manager of WOB Lingerie, a store that sells bras and swimwear in River Edge and Wyckoff.
"There's something out there for every shape," she says. "The trick is to find the one that suits your frame best."
Here are some expert suggestions for finding the bathing suit that's best for your build:
SMALL BUST: If you could use more up top, look for a suit that will slim the lower torso and draw attention to the upper torso, says Michele Casper, style director at Lands' End.
Some good choices? Surplice necklines, patterned tops with solid bottoms, and lighter colors on top with darker colors on bottom, as well as empire-style waists. "Swim cups are a must, too," says Haber, noting that they lift and fill out a smaller bust line.
LARGE BUST: Do your cups runneth over? Then your goal is to get support -- and lots of it.
First, stay away from flimsy fabrics. A suit with plenty of Lycra and perhaps an underwire or a rounded, molded cup will give you a better fit. Also, look for adjustable shoulder straps for extra lift. And unless you're trying to channel Jane Russell, avoid anything pointy or hard-looking.
Want to minimize your bust? Then try a suit with a dark color across your top and high armholes so you won't pour out of the sides. Suits that crisscross in the front also give more definition and prevent the uni-boob look.
And if you normally wear a 6 but happen to be a DD cup, Haber recommends finding a cup size that will flatter your top without being too baggy around the bottom.
TUMMY TAMER: For those who have a little extra around the middle, fabrics can make all the difference. Ribbed and textured fabrics can disguise that super-sizing you did all winter. You also can get additional control from the material in MiracleSuits and Lands' End Slendertex suits.
But if you're really serious about keeping your gut in check, Lipo in a Box's SMARTsuit ($98 to $106) will put your grandma's girdle to shame. Thanks to a whopping 52 percent spandex, it'll suck you in more than anything else on the market.
FULL HIPS: Think you've got too much junk in your trunk? While you may be tempted to hide your bottom under a skirted suit, that's probably the worst thing to do, advises Haber.
Watch out for lower, straighter leg holes, too, because they make legs appear wide and boxy. Higher, rounded leg holes will give you a nicer, curvier look. Just be sure to get enough coverage in the back to make you comfortable.
To move the eye away from your problem areas, Casper also recommends finding a top that is lighter in color or patterned and an interesting neckline with details like shirring.
BOYISH FIGURE: Consider yourself lucky if you've got a youthful figure. When you're lean, you can wear just about anything -- string bikinis look great, as do tank suits and tankinis.
But avoid those little squared-off bottoms also known as "boy shorts." Even if you make Twiggy look fat, these bottoms still have a tendency to squeeze your flesh and make your legs look shorter.
If you're trying to create curves, Casper suggests tops with princess seams as well as ones with diagonal lines or prints. They'll do a better job of defining your waist.
LONG- OR SHORT-WAISTED: The tankini is the answer for women with either long or short torsos because it doesn't have to be an exact fit in the middle. Plus, they come in a variety of styles, conservative and sexy, so you're not limited because of your build.
And what if you're still shy in your suit? That doesn't mean you have to cross the beach off your list. "Remember, there are a lot of great coverups out there -- everything from swim miniskirts to sarongs -- so don't worry too much," says Haber.
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