Tips On Fitting A Swimsuit To Your Body Type From A Chicago Expert
By Angela Hazen
The idea of trying on new swimwear can be quite intimidating to many shoppers, but with warmer weather right around the corner, they know it's not too early to try out the best new swimsuit looks for this season. For professional models, it's especially important to know what styles looks best on their body types. Chicago-area runway and print model Autumn Broviak shares some tips for helping you make confident decisions in your choice of swimwear.
Autumn Broviak
ZZAZZ Runway Model
www.facebook.com/autumbroviak
Here are some tips on what swimsuits are most flattering for various body types.
Tall
For taller women, it's better to wear a two-piece bathing suit. It can cut the body in half making you not seem as tall. Horizontal stripes are another great asset that can offset the length of the body. Having patterns or bright colors on different segments of the suit can also bring attention to different parts of your body. For a cover-up, wear something that is about knee length. This will cut your height down and make you appear smaller.
Thin
Thin bodies can usually get away with wearing whatever they feel most comfortable in. But if you want to accentuate the hips, choose a suit that gathers at the hips. This will give you a more curvy look. If you want to create more of a bust, look for a suit with more support padding to create a fuller looking bust. For a cover-up, solid flowy tunics are always great. They add more volume and give a fuller look to your body. Floral or other prints on cover-ups also add depth to your shape.
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Petite
Thick straps on the top half of the bathing suit can tend to overwhelm smaller bodies. A halter-cut neck and a higher-cut bottom can make the body appear longer. In this case, a string bikini would make a petite woman appear to have a longer body. It's better to stay away from busier prints because those too can overpower such a petite frame. For a cover-up, keep in mind the print of the material. Larger prints will make you look larger where as smaller prints will make you look smaller. A fitted and longer, floor-length cover-up can make your body appear longer.
Pear
Fold over-style bottoms or an asymmetrical skirt will flatter and even elongate the body of a pear-shaped frame. Also, it's good to keep in mind two-toned suits. Keeping the bottoms darker than the top can keep the lower half looking smaller. Or if you prefer a one-piece, look for a suit with full coverage on the bottom and a bandeau top. This keeps the body looking even from top to bottom. For a cover-up, try a long wrap-around skirt. This can cover up the hips and thighs and create the look of a smaller waistline.
Apple
For apple shapes, it's best to find a suit that will visually separate your body. Look for a suit that will support your chest, preferably a v-neck. Also a suit with ruching in the stomach area can give the appearance of a flatter stomach. If you are considering a two-piece, look for a tankini with ruching, tiers or draping material. Look for suits with darker colors on the sides which help create a more slender look. For a cover-up, find a free-flowing dress or tunic that doesn't hug the body too tight. You can even add a belt to cinch the waist. Really, no matter what size or shape you are, the most important thing is that you find a suit that you are comfortable in.
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Angela Hazen lives in Oak Park, IL. She has worked as a model in Chicago and studied broadcast journalism at Columbia College Chicago. She has traveled to Europe on several occasions, and keeps her readers up to date with local and international style, shopping, fashion and beauty trends. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
