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Plus-Size Swimwear
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Published: October 4, 2006
Remember the bad old days of shopping in the plus-size department? The lighting was dim, no one wanted to help you and as poor as the clothing section was, the swimwear selection was dismal. The only available swimwear seemed to be one-piece black swimsuits two sizes too small.
Thankfully, manufacturers have slowly come to the realization plus-size women have money and want to buy fashionable clothing like their slender peers. The onslaught of such fashionable retail stores like Lane Bryant and Torrid reflect this realization. This new wave of fashion also has translated to plus-size swimwear, including a bevy of styles and colors.
As with any other article of clothing, shopping for plus-size swimwear can test one's faith and patience. But if you know what to look for, and how to shop for your body type, you too can be a sexy poolside fashionista.
The Fit
Fit and support should be your main parameters when hunting for flattering plus-size swimwear. Consider the type of in-suit support you need. If you are busty, find a suit offering internal and external support; meaning, find a bathing suit that offers sturdy construction with an interior underwire bra. Bathing suits with shelf bras are not flattering, since they are offer no support and can result in discomfort for the wearer.
In addition to interior bra support, look for plus-size swimwear with sturdy straps. As with your regular bra, the support cannot be rested solely on the wire and cups. A stringy-strapped bathing suit with under-wire still will not provide the kind of support most women need.
Be mindful of how the bottoms are cut. Many plus-sized women mistakenly believe skirted one-pieces are capable of hiding all manners of flaws: wide hips, a large bum and a paunchy stomach. In truth, skirted one-pieces are not flattering on everyone and may draw attention to the part of the body you were trying to disguise. As contradictory as it sounds, choose a suit with a higher cut leg. By creating a vertical line along the body, you will look slimmer, taller and your legs will appear longer.
When shopping for plus-size swimwear, always remember to do the booty test. Turn around and take a good, long look at your butt in the bathing suit, no matter how discomforting it is. Saggy swimsuit bottoms are unflattering and tight ones can be uncomfortable as they cut into the skin. So, if your cheeks do not look their best, find another suit. As concerned as you are about making a good entrance, you should be even more concerned about making a great exit.
Body Type
Take your body type into consideration to find the best bathing suit for you:
Pear Shape: Since your hips are visually wider than your bust, you need to find plus-size swimwear that slims the bottom, while accentuating the top. Low-cut and halter-tops are ideal since they broaden your bust-line and draw the eye upward. Avoid the skirted suit and instead go for a one-piece with a higher-cut leg. This helps elongate the legs. Any sort of cover-up can be worn along the shoulders and bust to create more volume along the top.
Apple Shape: Your hips are actually quite narrow, but you tend to have excess girth in the middle with broad shoulders. You should focus on the drawing attention to the hips and legs, while minimizing the appearance of your bust and stomach. In your case, a skirted bathing suit with a tummy shaper may be the best option, since it creates fullness around the hips and thighs, creating the illusion of a flatter stomach.
Hourglass: Your shape is defined by a narrow waist with broad shoulders and hips. You can create a more flattering figure by defining your waistline. Look for plus-size swimwear emphasizing all your curves. Find a bathing suit with a halter or surplice top and good tummy control.
Colors and Patterns
There is a world of color outside of basic – and sometimes boring – black. As a matter of fact there is a whole spectrum of color. If you are particularly body-conscious, find a suit with dark coloring or a toned-down monochromatic pattern. If you must have a neutral-colored bathing suit, try one of the new neutrals: chocolate, navy or gray. They can be just as slimming as black and you can still spice up your poolside look with a bright sarong or pareo. Experiment a little bit, but make sure it looks good and you feel good in it. And one last caveat: no horizontal stripes. Who have you ever known to look good in horizontal stripes?
Sources:
How to choose a bathing suit for plus-size women. Happynews.com. 3 October 2006. http://happynews.com/living/clothing/bathing-suit- plus.htm/
Plus-Size Swimwear Figure and Fit Guide. ElegeantPlus2.com. 3 October 2006. http://www.elegantplus2.com/Plus-Size-Style-Guides /plus-size-swimwear-figure-guide.htm
Thankfully, manufacturers have slowly come to the realization plus-size women have money and want to buy fashionable clothing like their slender peers. The onslaught of such fashionable retail stores like Lane Bryant and Torrid reflect this realization. This new wave of fashion also has translated to plus-size swimwear, including a bevy of styles and colors.
As with any other article of clothing, shopping for plus-size swimwear can test one's faith and patience. But if you know what to look for, and how to shop for your body type, you too can be a sexy poolside fashionista.
The Fit
Fit and support should be your main parameters when hunting for flattering plus-size swimwear. Consider the type of in-suit support you need. If you are busty, find a suit offering internal and external support; meaning, find a bathing suit that offers sturdy construction with an interior underwire bra. Bathing suits with shelf bras are not flattering, since they are offer no support and can result in discomfort for the wearer.
In addition to interior bra support, look for plus-size swimwear with sturdy straps. As with your regular bra, the support cannot be rested solely on the wire and cups. A stringy-strapped bathing suit with under-wire still will not provide the kind of support most women need.
Be mindful of how the bottoms are cut. Many plus-sized women mistakenly believe skirted one-pieces are capable of hiding all manners of flaws: wide hips, a large bum and a paunchy stomach. In truth, skirted one-pieces are not flattering on everyone and may draw attention to the part of the body you were trying to disguise. As contradictory as it sounds, choose a suit with a higher cut leg. By creating a vertical line along the body, you will look slimmer, taller and your legs will appear longer.
When shopping for plus-size swimwear, always remember to do the booty test. Turn around and take a good, long look at your butt in the bathing suit, no matter how discomforting it is. Saggy swimsuit bottoms are unflattering and tight ones can be uncomfortable as they cut into the skin. So, if your cheeks do not look their best, find another suit. As concerned as you are about making a good entrance, you should be even more concerned about making a great exit.
Body Type
Take your body type into consideration to find the best bathing suit for you:
Pear Shape: Since your hips are visually wider than your bust, you need to find plus-size swimwear that slims the bottom, while accentuating the top. Low-cut and halter-tops are ideal since they broaden your bust-line and draw the eye upward. Avoid the skirted suit and instead go for a one-piece with a higher-cut leg. This helps elongate the legs. Any sort of cover-up can be worn along the shoulders and bust to create more volume along the top.
Apple Shape: Your hips are actually quite narrow, but you tend to have excess girth in the middle with broad shoulders. You should focus on the drawing attention to the hips and legs, while minimizing the appearance of your bust and stomach. In your case, a skirted bathing suit with a tummy shaper may be the best option, since it creates fullness around the hips and thighs, creating the illusion of a flatter stomach.
Hourglass: Your shape is defined by a narrow waist with broad shoulders and hips. You can create a more flattering figure by defining your waistline. Look for plus-size swimwear emphasizing all your curves. Find a bathing suit with a halter or surplice top and good tummy control.
Colors and Patterns
There is a world of color outside of basic – and sometimes boring – black. As a matter of fact there is a whole spectrum of color. If you are particularly body-conscious, find a suit with dark coloring or a toned-down monochromatic pattern. If you must have a neutral-colored bathing suit, try one of the new neutrals: chocolate, navy or gray. They can be just as slimming as black and you can still spice up your poolside look with a bright sarong or pareo. Experiment a little bit, but make sure it looks good and you feel good in it. And one last caveat: no horizontal stripes. Who have you ever known to look good in horizontal stripes?
Sources:
How to choose a bathing suit for plus-size women. Happynews.com. 3 October 2006. http://happynews.com/living/clothing/bathing-suit- plus.htm/
Plus-Size Swimwear Figure and Fit Guide. ElegeantPlus2.com. 3 October 2006. http://www.elegantplus2.com/Plus-Size-Style-Guides /plus-size-swimwear-figure-guide.htm
