Information on Minimizing Bathing Suits

Dark, high-cut bottoms minimize large hips.

Bathing suits range from the traditional maillot and bikini to tankinis and boy shorts. With so many options, choosing a bathing suit often can be overwhelming. Use information on minimizing bathing suits to choose a swimsuit that is comfortable and attractive. Know your body type--flaws and all--to make this process easier. The trick to feeling confident and stylish is to find a suit that will minimize your trouble zones.

Thighs, Hips and Buttocks

Choose a high-cut suit that is no higher than your hip bone--this gives the illusion of long, lean legs and minimizes thick thighs. Wearing typical boy shorts can make your thighs and buttocks look larger. However, there are boy shorts with a high-cut available that will cover the back and still minimize your lower body. Skirtinis--a one-piece, skirt-like version of a tankini--is a modern option. Avoid stripes, designs or light-colored bottoms, which only maximize the trouble zones. Enhance your upper body with a whimsical pattern, color or embellishment to draw focus away from the lower half of your body.

Mid-Section

If you have an overall round shape, slim your tummy area by creating the illusion of a longer torso. Wear a one-piece suit with an embellishment in the middle to conceal your midsection. Avoid solid, one-color suits. Choose a bold pattern or detail--such as a side-swept cinch--to minimize your tummy and create an hourglass waist. Choose a one-piece suit with a plunging halter top to lift and support your bust while drawing attention away from your stomach. For a more conservative top, choose a surplice style one-piece, which has a separate piece that horizontally crosses over the bust area and cinches at the mid-section.

Large Bust

Minimizing a large bust requires a suit with an underwire or built-in-bra and thick straps for structure and shape. Select swimsuits that cut straight across the bust area to minimize your upper body. Choose halter tops with thick straps, which also offer good support. Avoid triangle tops, bandeaus and demi-bra tops with spaghetti straps--these do not provide support and will only maximize a large bust.

Long Torso

Women with a long torso need to shorten the length of their upper body while keeping the length of their lower body. Choose bathing suits with such details as ruffles and fringe, which work well on long torsos with narrow hips. Bandeaus are an excellent option for a bikini top as they shorten the torso. Tankinis and one-piece also work well, as long as they have an empire waist or a detail under the bust.

Overall Body for Plus Size

Plus-size women can choose from a variety of stylish swimsuit options that minimize and flatter their bodies. Suits with miniskirts and tank tops are excellent for women looking for coverage. Select an empire-waist, halter-top, one-piece to minimize the hips and a large bust. Choose a one-piece suit with a built-in tummy-control panel. Avoid bright colors, horizontal stripes and large patterns. Opt for dark colors or small print.

References

• "Fitness Magazine": Swimsuits for Every Body: Hip Minimizing
• "In Style": Figure-Flattering Swimsuits
• BellaOnline: Swimsuits for Your Body Shape; Anastasia Papaioanou; 2009
• Plus Size Swimsuits: Choosing Just The Right Cut

Resources

• "The New York Times": Every Body Into the Pool; Ruth La Ferla; 2006
• Epigee: What Shape Are You?
• "Lucky": The Lucky List: Top 10 Swimsuit Sites