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Holiday Shopping: Choosing A Bikini For Your Body Shape

by Ursula Dewey ,
Holiday Shopping: Choosing A Bikini For Your Body Shape

If you're freaking out about the annual trauma of bikini shopping then don't. These stylist-approved bikini buying tips and tricks will have you in the perfect bikini for your body shape in no time at all. Here's how to choose a bikini for your body shape. And feel pretty damn good in it!

Summary
  1. · Boyish figure
  2. · Hourglass figure
  3. · Apple-shape figure
  4. · Pear shaped figure
  5. · Cornet shaped figure

Your vacay wardrobe is about to get a whole lot better!

We spoke to Nicky Hambleton-Jones to find out which styles, shapes and prints we should be thinking about when it comes to bikinis and swimwear this summer - and her stylist advice is bang on the money.

Ready to learn what swimwear suits your shape? Then read on to find the perfect bikini.

Boyish figure

If you have an athletic figure like Cameron Diaz you can get away with most bikini and swimwear styles. You. Lucky. Girl. However, you might want to try styles that accentuate a more feminine shape and add some curves to your boyish frame.

Triangle bikinis look great on slim women, as halter necks. Plus those little bottoms that tie at the side look great on trim pins. If you prefer a one-piece, go for one with geometric motifs to highlight your waist and give you shape.

As women with boyish frames lack curves, Nicky says: "Bandeau and halter neck tops are very flattering for smaller busts. Go for horizontal stripes if you want to create a little curve.

"For a fuller bust look for tops with padding, underwiring and a triangular shape to give the illusion of a fuller cup size and if you have a fuller bust look for supportive halter-neck tops. Again, horizontal stripes will give the illusion of a fuller bust."

Another tip? Look for frilly bikinis to add curves, volume and movement.

Hourglass figure

If your shoulders and hips are the same width and you have a slim waist, you're lucky enough to be able to wear pretty much any kind of swimwear.

Avoid one-piece costumes though unless they fit perfectly: if they don't hug your curves in all the right places they can flatten your shape and make you look heavier than you are.

Hourglass shaped women like Kim Kardashian look amazing in halterneck bikinis as they exaggerate your natural curves.

One style you should steer clear from is the boob tube/bandeau style bikini. If you're big busted they'll only squash your shape - vito!

Apple-shape figure

If you don't have a waist and carry extra weight around your middle with slimmer legs and arms, then the chances are you're an apple shape.

With an apple shape figure, shop for one-pieces rather than bikinis as a one piece will show off your decolletage and flatten that tum at the same time.

Apple shapes often have a big bust so don't even think about buying a bikini top without underwiring. Balcony shapes offer good support and will add a touch of vintage glam to your beach side look. Hello Marilyn!

If you're self conscious and want to wear shorts, think again - a delicately draped sarong or high cut swimsuits (baywatch style) is a much better way to go.

Beach side tip: Avoid horizontal stripes and bikini shorts as they'll only broaden your frame.

Pear shaped figure

Big hips and slim shoulders? Forget about those one piece swimsuits - they may accentuate that tiny waist of yours but they also shorten your legs and nobody wants that to get in the way of a #hotdoglegs selfie.

Try balcony bikinis and triangle tops to show off your top half to maximum effect and team with low waisted bottoms. Another tip is to go for a bold shade or bright print on your top half to draw the eye upwards and away from wide hips.

Cornet shaped figure

If you have broad shoulders and narrow hips then you're a cornet shape - the perfect one for summer no?

It might sound like a wardrobe challenge trying to balance out those broad shoulders, but it's actually easy when you know how.

Nicky says that when it comes to dressing a cornet figure the trick is creating the illusion of balance.

She says: "Try and create visual balance from top to toe, playing down your top half and giving the bottom half a bit of a boost."

Halterneck bikini tops will help to break up the neckline and draw attention to your chest - not your shoulders. You can also try wearing frilly bikini bottoms or ones that have ties at the side to add volume to your hips and create more balance between your top and bottom.

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Ursula Dewey
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