How to Mix and Match Bathing Suit Pieces

Bathing suit designs have evolved from full coverage one pieces to barely-there bikinis. Designers finally caught onto the fact that not every woman is shaped the same on top and bottom and started offering bathing suit separates. Choosing bathing suit pieces requires more than matching colors and patterns. When shopping, it is important you know which bathing suit pieces flatter your body shape.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Learn what sort of body shape you have before bathing suit shopping. The four basic shapes are: triangle, hourglass, apple and athletic.

2. Know which parts of your body you're most comfortable with. Buy bathing suit pieces that compliment and show-off your best features.

3. Stick with dark, solid colors for a slimming effect. Consider a solid print tankini top with a patterned bottom piece when concealing tummy curves, but a solid print skirted bottom with a patterned halter top when concealing lower body curves.

4. Emphasize your bust with padded tops, ruffles or horizontally designed necklines. Watch out for horizontal stripes and patterns which can make your bust appear flatter.

5. Match a tankini top with a string bikini bottom if you're curvy up top but small everywhere else. Halter style pieces offer good support for a large bust and mix well with a variety of bathing suit bottoms.

6. Mix a low-rise bottom piece with a triangle top piece for the appearance of a longer torso. If you have a long torso, stick with high cut bottoms and don't choose patterns with vertical stripes.

7. Try on a variety of bathing suit pieces, mixing and matching what you think looks best. Shop around at different stores if you don't find the perfect suit in one place.

Resources

• Learn your body shape at Kohl's.