| Women's swimwear can stretch up to 100% in some | | | | body you have look its best. It's not about size either - |
| cases. Typically 75%, but what this really means is that | | | | don't be alarmed if your swimsuit is a size larger than |
| the material will compress the body mass it encloses | | | | your clothing size - that's usually the case for |
| as it stretches more and more. If you stretch bikini | | | | everyone. |
| swimwear material beyond its maximum comfort zone | | | | FULL BOTTOM: (Hips & thighs are larger than the |
| then unsightly bulges can result. What this means for | | | | bust) |
| most people is that if your hips are 41" then do not | | | | BEST STYLE: Skirted suits and strapless styles. |
| order a medium bottom. Order a large. A medium will | | | | Eye-catching tops draw attention upward. |
| fit but unless you have very good skin and muscle | | | | FULL BUSTED: (Broad or large in bust area) |
| tone, then those unsightly bulges will probably result. | | | | BEST STYLE: Higher neckline or built-in bra for |
| So it is VERY important to get proper measurements. | | | | support. Tankinis are ideal. Halters also work well; they |
| Proper body measurement is key to a successful | | | | support, hold up bust & flatter your figure. |
| outcome. We'll take you through the basic | | | | FULL CENTER: (Round figure, not much definition to |
| measurements that the clothing industry depends on. | | | | the figure) |
| How To Measure: Use a cloth tape measure if | | | | BEST STYLE: Bottoms should have high cut legs; will |
| possible. Note: Older flexible tape measures can | | | | make you look longer, leaner. Enhancing bust with |
| sometimes stretch and distort over time. | | | | underwire or padded top will make your waist look |
| The person being measured should be wearing his or | | | | smaller giving the illusion of more of an hour glass. |
| her normal undergarments only. Measurements taken | | | | Vertical lines or shapes that angel up or down also |
| over bulky or constricting clothing will not be accurate. | | | | "lengthen" the body. |
| If you're measuring for something that will be worn only | | | | HOUR GLASS: (Shapely, small waist, larger hips & |
| with a certain pair of shoes or a certain undergarment, | | | | bust) |
| it's okay to wear them during the measurement | | | | BEST STYLE: You are one of the few fortunate |
| process. | | | | ones. You have avariety of choices. Most anything |
| Chest: To measure the chest circumference, place the | | | | looks good on you. |
| tape around the fullest part of the chest or bust, under | | | | LONG & SLENDER: (Curveless) |
| the arms. Keep the tape parallel to the floor. For chest | | | | BEST STYLE: Florals, prints and stripes give the illusion |
| width, measure across the widest part of the chest, | | | | of curves. |
| beginning and ending at the point where the arm | | | | SMALL BUST: Petite or muscular chests |
| touches the body on each side. | | | | BEST STYLE: Tops with underwire & padding |
| Waist: You can find the true waist by taking a string or | | | | offer a "Cleavage" look. Sweetheart, V-neck or scoop |
| elastic band and tying it (parallel to the floor; snugly but | | | | necklines enhance the bust line also. |
| not too tight) around the trunk of the person being | | | | LARGE STOMACH: Rounded or protruding upper and |
| measured. It will naturally fall to the narrowest part of | | | | or lower abdomen |
| the trunk. If you think the true waist area is too high, | | | | BEST STYLE: Camouflage it with floral prints or |
| measure the circumference where you (or the person | | | | vertical stripes. If you're small busted also, wear an |
| you're measuring) normally likes to wear pants or a | | | | underwire or padded top to enhance your bust and |
| skirt. | | | | make your figure appear more evened out. Higher cut |
| Hips: Measure around the body keeping tape around | | | | legs also give you the appearance of looking longer |
| the largest part of the hips. | | | | and leaner. Higher waist bottoms or full bottoms with |
| A few other tips on measuring: | | | | higher cut legs are great; they give the illusion of a |
| If you're rounding off your results (which is advisable), | | | | flatter stomach. Tankini tops are a good way to cover |
| round them up to the nearest quarter-inch or | | | | the stomach area. |
| half-centimeter | | | | THICK THIGHS: Extra muscular or very large upper |
| Try to get someone to take the measurements for | | | | legs |
| you - your posture will be more relaxed and natural. | | | | BEST STYLE: No boy-leg bottoms; they make your |
| The measurements should be more accurate. | | | | legs look stocky. Instead, try a bottom with a high |
| Stand up straight and breathe normally | | | | waist and high cut legs to make the legs appear longer |
| Don't measure over the top of clothing | | | | and leaner. |
| Wear the bra you feel most comfortable in | | | | ATHLETIC BODY: Broad shoulders & small bust, |
| Another consideration is, "What kind of swimsuit looks | | | | muscular arms & legs |
| best on me? What do I wear that will put emphasis on | | | | BEST STYLE: Padded top gives appearance of |
| my positive features and distract from my | | | | cleavage. Asymmetrical necklines & midriff |
| not-so-flattering areas?" | | | | cutaways distract attention from broad shoulders |
| First of all, we don't put swimsuits on our bodies to | | | | & long torso. |
| make the suit look good - suits are worn to make our | | | | OTHER TIPS: |
| bodies look good - so choose one that brings out the | | | | - Large prints can make you look bigger |
| best of YOU. Find a suit that accentuates the positives | | | | - More Lycra slims |
| about YOUR body. How do you do that? Check out | | | | - It's important to wear a swimsuit that FITS. If your suit |
| the body features and body types below and decide | | | | is too big, it may appear to be "hanging" on you. A suit |
| which best describes you. Then read which swimsuit | | | | that's too small may cause bulging. Neither is attractive. |
| styles flatter YOUR figure. | | | | Again, it's about what makes YOU look and feel good |
| It's not about body size - it's about what makes YOU | | | | about YOU and making the body you have look |
| look and feel good about YOU. It's about making the | | | | fabulous! |