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> General One-piece swimsuit fitting tips
> Competition one-piece swimsuit fitting tips
> Competition one-piece swimsuit shopping tips
> Swimsuit washing tips
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The most overriding passion and desire for most women when shopping for a swimsuit is locating that one perfect swimsuit that will flatter every curve and cover every imperfection. However, no matter what their particular shape is, most women find swimsuit shopping difficult. This brief guide to swimsuits, categorized by body shape, will help you find the best type and style of swimsuit to fit and flatter your body.

Big Thighs: Bulging skin from the thighs and belly in a skimpy bikini can be an embarrassing fashion disaster. While a dark-colored one-piece swimsuit will generally slim the body and solve the problem of bulging thighs, most women wish to receive the same results in a slightly more fashionable swimsuit. To slim the thighs and elongate the legs, try pairing a light, attention-grabbing tankini top with dark-colored bikini bottoms. Be sure to choose a pair of bottoms with high-cut legs. High-cut legs are the best secrets to slimming the thighs and hips. Also, be sure the tankini tops and bottoms meet. A long tankini top will reduce any unsightly belly bulges, as well.

Pear Shapes: Some women are naturally born with pear shapes, and other women develop these shapes after pregnancy. Regardless of the reason behind the pear shape, women with pear shapes often have a difficult time shopping for flattering swimsuits. However, there are certainly swimsuits out there that will not only conceal the undesirable characteristics of a pear shape but play up the good characteristics, as well. Try a one-piece swimsuit or tankini that pairs a lighter, eye-grabbing top with darker, more subdued bottoms. A low-cut or plunging neckline will draw even more attention to the bust. Also, remember to look for swimsuits with high-cut legs in order to slim the hips and thighs.

Short Torso/Long Torso: Torso length is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting the right swimsuit fit. A swimsuit that is too short will result in constant readjustment, while a swimsuit that is too long will result in a saggy, unattractive fit. Whether you have a short torso or a long torso, the most important factor you can take into consideration when buying a swimsuit is the fit of the bottoms and the cut of the leg. If you have a short torso, try a bikini with low-rise bottoms that sit just on the hip. The low fit of the bottoms will lengthen the appearance of the torso. If you have a long torso, be sure to find bottoms that sit a little higher on the hips. Also, if you are slim in the belly, you may try a short tankini top that ends just at the waist. This type of top will break up the torso and lend it a shorter appearance.

Big Bust: When looking for a swimsuit to flatter a large bust, be familiar with the amount of bra support you need. Many women with large breasts make the mistake of choosing a swimsuit with no support. Swimsuit manufacturers now produce a variety of swimsuits with hidden underwires in both bikini and maillot styles. A hidden underwire helps to lift and support the bust. Try a swimsuit with a bandeau-style top or wide-set straps to minimize the bust, but be sure to choose a pretty, young color to avoid looking too matronly.

Small Bust: To accentuate and flatter a small bust, try a traditional triangle-cut bikini top. The triangle cups tend to lift and shape small breasts. Also, look for a bikini top or maillot with a hidden underwire. This feature will allow for bra-style lift and support. Detailed seams around the breasts will draw attention to the bust and give it a fuller appearance, as well.

Overall Pudginess: If you are feeling just a little uncomfortable and self-conscious in your swimsuit, but your body does not seem to fit any of the listed categories, you may want to try a minimizer-type swimsuit. Minimizer swimsuits contain a relatively high percentage of Lycra or spandex in the fabric (anywhere from 15%-20%) and tend toward an overall slimming effect on your body. Just remember that, while minimizer swimsuits are fantastic for smoothing out bulges underneath the suit, they can create bulges outside of the suit if the straps or openings are too tight. Look for a swimsuit with adjustable back and neck straps and tie-side bottoms to avoid this problem.

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COMPETITION ONE-PIECE SWIMSUIT FITTING TIPS

As opposed to general one-piece hi-fashion swimwear, in which appearance and style take a higher priority, fit and comfort level should be two of the most important factors when choosing a competitive or serious swimsuit. You will likely be spending a great amount of time in your swimsuit, as well as requiring strenuous motions of your body when wearing the swimsuit. Because of these facts, it is essential that you acquire a good, comfortable fit.

Torso: The torso portion of your swimsuit should lie perfectly flat on your body without gathering at the seams or pulling from any of the straps or openings. The higher spandex content of competitive swimsuits generally allows for a flat fit, but it is important to make sure the swimsuit is not too tight. Be sure that you can move comfortably in your swimsuit without any stretching from the leg openings or neck.

Legs: To correctly size the leg openings of a competitive swimsuit, be sure that the elastic straps are not puckering or digging into your legs. If the elastic is digging into your legs, you may want to try a larger size. Also, remember to check the back of the suit to ensure it is offering adequate coverage. If you require more coverage than is offered in a swimsuit, try a different style rather than a different size.

Shoulder Straps: The straps of the swimsuit should lie comfortably on your shoulders, without digging in or falling down. Most competitive swimsuits will not use tie straps; however, if you are interested in a suit with tie straps, be sure to move around a bit in the dressing room to check that the straps remain tied. Also, rotate your shoulders a couple of times to determine if the straps will remain comfortable and in place in all arm positions. Lap swimming requires a great deal of movement in the arms, and you do not want uncomfortable or insecure straps slowing you down.

Chest/Bust: The bust of the swimsuit should provide an adequate amount of coverage and support without flattening the breasts entirely. Look for a swimsuit with adjustable straps so that you will feel contained and secure in the bust portion. Also, be sure to lift your arms in the dressing room to determine if the swimsuit provides adequate coverage in the bust. An accidental flashing at a public swimming pool would be a very unfortunate occurrence!

Full Body Swimsuits: A final note about bodysuits: Many swimmers have chosen to wear the ever more popular, full body swimsuits in order to enhance and facilitate their speed in the water. These swimsuits are designed to create the most aerodynamic texture possible in the water and have become an athlete favorite at the Olympic games. Due to the increased amount of fabric and the innovations employed in this fabric, these swimsuits are often quite expensive. If you are investigating a bodysuit, do not be taken in by flashy phrases and idle promises. While fractions of a second may impact the outcome of a highly competitive race, they will likely not affect your time or conditioning at the local gym or pool. If you do decide to purchase a bodysuit, keep the above fitting factors in mind. Be sure that the fit of the suit is not so tight that it cuts off circulation or causes you any pain. You definitely will want any pain you feel after a swimming workout to come from tired muscles, not from a too tight swimsuit.

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COMPETITION ONE-PIECE SWIMSUIT SHOPPING TIPS

Competitive swimsuits can run upwards of several hundred dollars, based upon the brand name and model of the swimsuit. While this figure may be out of the price range of some swimmers, it is still important for every serious swimmer to purchase a quality piece of swimwear. Competitive swimwear is designed for different reasons and purposes than fashion swimwear, and these differences should be evident in the design and fabric of the swimsuit. Here are some general tips for selecting the best quality swimsuit product for your money.

Brand Names: Brand name may be more important than you think. The fact that brands such as Speedo and Jantzen have stayed on the market for several decades testifies to the quality of the swimwear they produce. However, newer brands like Tyr Swimwear have made a serious entry into the market. Before purchasing a swimsuit, be sure to do a little research on the brand you are leaning toward. Read some information about the company and see what past customers have had to say about the swimwear. A little consumer research can go a long way toward ensuring a quality, long-lasting swimsuit.

Swimsuit Function: Keep in mind the reason you are buying the swimsuit when browsing through stores. If you are selecting a swimsuit for casual lap swimming, speed facilitation may be less of a factor for you than swimsuit longevity. You may be able to cut some costs by looking at brand-name swimsuits designed without the latest innovations. If speed facilitation is your major requirement, be sure to compare brands and research product claims before purchasing. The advertising claims of the swimwear manufacturer may be more fancy words and big names than actual swimwear innovations.

Swimwear Sources: Do not assume that you need to buy a brand-name swimsuit from a high-end sports store or directly from the manufacturer. Many second-run fashion stores carry brand-name swimsuits that did not sell initially due to unpopular cut or color. If functionality and longevity are more important to you than appearance, these stores may provide better, more cost-effective swimsuit options for you.

Swimsuit Materials: Pay attention to the fabric of the swimsuit. Purchasing an expensive, brand-name swimsuit and quickly losing it to chlorine degradation and fraying would be very unfortunate, indeed. Well-made competitive swimsuits should contain a high percentage of Lycra/spandex material and should be treated for chlorine resistance. While no treatment can result in complete chlorine resistance, some sort of chlorine treatment can greatly lengthen the lifetime of your swimsuit. If you are unsure of the chlorine resistance of a particular swimsuit, feel free to ask the salesperson or call the manufacturer regarding this important concern.

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SWIMSUIT WASHING TIPS

Swimsuits are delicate pieces of fabric. They must be designed to stay in place when swimming but maintain a level of comfort on the body. They must also be designed to withstand constant contact in chlorinated water (like dipping a swimsuit into bleach). No swimsuit can hold up forever under the conditions of chlorinated water, but there are certain things you can do to make sure your swimsuit lasts as long as it remains fashionable.

1. First of all, you should always rinse out your suit in cold water after each use. This practice will remove much of the chlorine from your swimsuit before it has a chance to do any permanent damage.

2. When washing you swimsuit, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the particular fabric, but avoid the dryer. Have a look inside your swimsuit and read the tag in regards to washing requirements. As long as you adhere to the manufacturers requirements, your swimsuit will last as long as possible. Try to dry your swimsuit flat, just as you would any other delicate garment. The dryer has a tendency to give swimsuits a frayed, faded appearance over time. Also, if you snag your suit on the wood of a lounge chair or the concrete siding of a swimming pool (as is bound to happen), be sure to apply a bit of clear nail polish to the snag as soon as possible. Nail polish will stop the snag from spreading any farther and help to ensure that your favorite suit lasts throughout the summer season. Also hand washing your swimsuit is always better then machine washing.

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