It’s the dreaded bikini season, when shopping for a bathing suit can send your self-esteem plummeting. Feeling your pain, we narrowed down problem body areas to the three most common and, with tips from the “fit specialists” at Santa Monica’s SwimSpot, matched some of the season’s hottest styles to de-emphasize them.
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| ATHENA $99 at SwimSpot, Santa Monica Place, 310-395-5600 | NANETTE LEPORE Top, $62, and bottom, $56, at Nanette Lepore, L.A., 310-281-0004 |
Is covering your midsection a battle of the BULGE (1)? Opt for tank-inis, fauxkinis, and one-pieces that create the illusion of a slimmer waist with details like shirring or ruching above the hips. High-waisted, two-piece suits made with tummy-control fabric are another way to go. AVOID: Low-cut bottoms. | |
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| TRINA TURK $156 at Trina Turk, L.A., 323-651-1382 | ERES Top, $275, and bottom, $270, at Eres, Beverly Hills, 310-246-1008 |
Could your BUTT (2) give Kim Kardashian a run for her wedding money? Visually balance your figure with solid-color two-piece suits with shirred, banded bottoms or one-pieces with empire waists. AVOID: String bikini bottoms. | |
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| WE ARE HANDSOME $290 at Barneys New York, Beverly Hills, 310-276-4400 | LUXE BY LISA VOGEL Top, $75, and bottom, $53, at SwimSpot, Santa Monica Place, 310-395-5600 |
Got a small BUST (3)? Bikinis with ruffled or fringed tops give the appearance of more volume, and of course, padded push-up tops can also do the trick. For those wanting to flaunt what they have naturally, a one-piece with a plunging neckline creates a sexy silhouette. AVOID: Triangle bikini tops. Should your bust measure wider than your hips and your waist is narrower than both, you’ve got the classic bombshell shape—no one feels sorry for you. | |
