Banish costume dramas with stylish swimwear (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Banish costume dramas with stylish swimwear

8:43am Tuesday 26th June 2012 in Fashion & Beauty By Lisa Haynes

According to a recent survey for Moontide swimwear, 53 per cent of women start thinking about how they’ll look in their costumes more than two weeks before their holiday, with 15 per cent worrying more than a month beforehand.

But don’t fret if finding the right swimsuit is turning into a major event - let your figure lead the way to a winning bikini or one-piece.

Whatever your shape, there’s a costume out there that will disguise your hot spots and flaunt your best bits to the max.

Forget all those apples and pears references and find your ideal swimsuit with our refreshing guide to body shapes:

THE ROCKET LOLLY

If your figure is ‘bottom heavy’, your swimsuit choices should balance out your shape.

Your body is all about the hips, thighs and bottom, so try mixing a print or embellished top with solid colour bottoms, which has the effect of slimming down your hips.

Want supermodel pins on the beach? Seek out a high cut around the thighs to emphasise your leg length.

CELEBRITY EXAMPLES: Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Lopez, Coleen Rooney

CORNETTO CONE

An ‘inverted triangle’ shape. If you have a wide upper body, avoid fussy detailing on your top half.

Your legs may be one of your best features, so try a bikini bottom with adjustable long tie sides that will make them look even more enviable – and won’t squeeze into your body if you carry weight around the middle.

If you’re top-heavy due to a bigger bust, look for a simple, well-structured bikini top and steer clear of deep-plunging V-necklines.

CELEBRITY EXAMPLES: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Elizabeth Hurley, Jessica Simpson

COCA-COLA BOTTLE

If your body fits the bill as a classic hourglass shape, it’s all about emphasising your voluptuous silhouette.

The swimwear world is your oyster but avoid anything too skimpy, you’re looking to emphasise – and contain – your curves.

Look to old school Hollywood glamour with retro cuts to flatter your figure. A one piece with a low V-front will highlight your womanly shape.

CELEBRITY EXAMPLES: Kelly Brook, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet

LOLLIPOP STICK

Long and lean with a tomboyish shape, your aim may be to create curves through your swimming costume.

Fashion yourself the illusion of a bigger bust with pleats, ruffles and gathering to add volume.

Use the same principles if you want to magic yourself a bigger bottom. Look for briefs with a wide frill around the waistline – the cut should kink out and create an hourglass silhouette in an instant.

CELEBRITY ATHLETICS: Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Katie Holmes

MINI MILK

A V-neck swimsuit or halterneck will give your a torso a few valuable inches and make your neck appear longer too.

Belted styles will help carve out a silhouetted, defined figure to boot.

CELEBRITY EXAMPLES: Eva Longoria, Kylie Minogue