How to Enjoy Swimsuit and Bikini Shopping

I should have been nicer to my body when I was young. I should've enjoyed showing off alittle bit knowing that years later I would dread every millisecond of swimsuit shopping. But it doesn't have to be that way. Read some tips on how to turn the dread into joy when shopping for that swimsuit this year...

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. 

   RESEARCH: Before trying on that bikini or a new swimsuit really do some research on yourself and online. Don't shop for the style you WANT to fit into. You need to shop for the style you ARE. Assess your shape, then go online and look for suits in your shape. Are you small busted, a pear, bottom heavy or top heavy? There are suits for all different styles. Magazines and online are great resources for finding the suit that will really flatter you and your style the best. Lovehandles? Look for swimming suits that have solutions for some of those problems.

2. 

   BUDGET: While you might want to stock up on a week or two worth of less expensive swimming suits for your cruise, set up a realistic budget relative to your needs. For instance do you spend a week or two in those swimsuits you absolutely hate and end up putting coverups over all week long, or do you only buy 2 or 3 more expensive suits that flatter and fit well that you can rotate? Don't just buy for the sake of buying. Buy something you like that you can wear for several seasons and add to. Classic looks are just that--classy.

3. 

   READY YOURSELF MENTALLY: One suggestion is to go bathing suit shopping after your workout. You feel good about yourself and have just released endorphins that give you a boost of self esteem. You've also done something that has helped you work towards your end goal and it's easier to look at yourself in a mirror after you've done something that makes you feel good and healthy.

4. 

   THINK POSITIVE: Calm that inner critic that comes out under the florescent dressing room lights. Don't look at the flaws you see in the mirror. Focus on the good parts of yourself. One suggestion is to look at yourself in the mirror--eye to eye before allowing your eyes to drop down. If your eyes are immediately allowed to be drawn down to your thighs or hips, you're more likely to start thinking about the negative.

5. 

   GET SEVERAL SIZES: Never, ever go into the dressing room with less than several sizes of one particular style. A recent study showed that women are more forgiving on having several pant sizes in their closet than swimming suit sizes. Women have a fixation on needing the smallest size possible when it comes to their swimsuit or bikini. Blame the style, not the body. Move on if it doesn't fit. And avoid visualizing how you WANT to look in the bikini and what isn't right about the outfit. If you find one you like and are comfortable in, get it!

Resources

• What Type of Swimsuit are You Quiz?
• Prevention Magazine 3D Swimsuit Finder

[honeymoney]

on 9/15/2009 Great tips, especially I like your sense of humor.

[jkopinion]

on 6/21/2009 great tips on swimsuit selection! 5*/r