Asset management

Finding the perfect swimsuit is more than finding the perfect print or the best color. It’s about shape, cut, and fit. You want a suit to show off your assets while still camouflaging the not-so-attractive bumps and lumps that grew after one too many chocolate bunnies.

Summertime means swimsuit season. And that means furrowed brows, exasperated sighs, crash diets fueled by desperation, and trips to the gym.

What if swimsuit season could be less frustrating, and looking great in a bathing suit didn’t require daily five-mile runs and all-liquid diets? Is there hope for the athletically disinclined?
Finding the perfect swimsuit is more than finding the perfect print or the best color. It’s about shape, cut, and fit. You want a suit to show off your assets while still camouflaging the not-so-attractive bumps and lumps that grew after one too many chocolate bunnies. “We have a lot of bright colors and neutrals that are all fun,” said Bonnie Stahl, manager of Simply Charming on College Street in Auburn. “We also have suits in bold prints for this summer.”

The perfect suit is out there, no matter how big your boobs, how thick your thighs, or round your tummy.
For women with a bigger bust, there are things to avoid, such as strapless tops. A strap-free top can lead to indecent exposure. Also look for tops that are less busy – sorry, this means no loud prints or frills. This will only draw more attention to the girls. Do, however, look for halter-top styles in solid colors. To keep the goods secure, try a suit with underwire support. Fear not buxom babes, Stahl says that halter-tops are exceedingly popular.
If you happen to be among the less endowed, go ahead and look for a strapless or bandeau top with all the pattern and frill you want (within good taste, of course). Also go for that boost of confidence by selecting a bathing suit with padding or a built-in pushup bra. If you can’t shake what your mama gave you, then fake it. No one has to know.
Beanpole bodies require an illusion of curves. Look for a one-piece suit with a pattern that draws the eye inward. Think back-to-back parentheses: )(. Such a print makes your tummy look tiny and your body curvaceous and flirtatious. And yes, a one-piece can still be sexy. Also suits with cutout sides provide hourglass definition at the waist.

For the curvy-tending-toward-plump woman, it’s all about the subtle details. Try to avoid loud all-over prints. Extreme shapes and colors draw more attention to problem areas. Instead, look for a side-swept design. The pattern should begin at the side and cross over your midsection to draw attention away from the tummy.
“We have a really glamorous white Nicole Miller one-piece that everyone tries on,” Stahl said. “It has ruching on the sides so it’s really flattering, especially if you’re not toned.”
The subtle pleats of ruching provide the illusion of a smoother, flatter stomach. A tankini is also a perfect way to hide a bulging belly. An empire waist tankini allows the fabric to flow slightly away from the body, avoiding cling. Nothing is worse than pulling your shirt out from between your second and third tummy roll.

Don’t think that a swimsuit is all you need to look fabulous this summer. Cover-ups are even more fun than swimsuits, and come without any harrowing self-recrimination.
“Cover-ups are still really important,” Stahl said. “With the right cover-up you can look cute in a bikini even if you don’t have the body.”
Backless, strapless, or fitted cover-ups can all work. The difference this season is versatility. The 1990s fishnet micro-mini cover-ups are just so twentieth century – sort of like the phrase “just so twentieth century.” Replace them with chic, glamorous, grownup styles that travel safely from poolside to grocery store without shouting: “Look at me! I’m trashy!”
“Tunics as cover-ups are big this year. We have really bright colors like bright pink, blue, and yellow,” Stahl said.

Big boobs, big thighs, big butt? Small chest and flat all over? No matter the self-criticism you like to fling at yourself, there’s a suit for you. So skip the gym membership, don’t skip meals, and order that frappuccino with extra whipped cream. This summer it’s so much easier: Dress for your size, dress for your shape.