Swimsuit weather is upon us
July 2005


For many women, this time of year also brings upon anxiety and apprehension regarding what to wear at the beach or pool. For women with less-than-perfect torsos, Timeless Style has done a little research for you. We've gone on-line and discovered some really great selections for sunning and swimming.

The two-piece Tankini suits that were so popular last year are basically gone - thank goodness! The tops were just short enough to show tummies protruding over the elastic-waist bottom. If you do, however, enjoy the comfort of the two-piece suit, Land's End still offers a sensible Tankini with a top that reaches nearly to the hip line. The princess seaming is also very slenderizing, I do not recommend this suit for all figure types, but would be suitable for athletic builds, hourglass shapes, and inverted triangles (shoulders larger than hips).

For the more common triangular shape (hips larger than shoulders), we have a few suggestions. This solid-color blue maillot (left) from Land's End has interesting gathers at the bust line that draw attention away from the hips. The black high-neck style (right) from Spiegel has horizontal line details at the bust that also moves the eye upward. The darker color minimizes bulk.

The popular suit with skirt does provide additional coverage for larger hips and derriere, but be careful - the skirt decreases leg length and will make short women look even shorter. This dark blue sophisticated style from Spiegel (next column, top left) features white accents, a peek-a-boo slit, and an overskirt that is not too long. This solid-color swim-dress also from Spiegel (next column top right) provides a little more coverage on the bottom and bust-gather details to draw attention upwards.

For women with rectangular shapes, we found two great suits. The cut-out style, Calypso from Delfina (below left) shown here gives the impression of more curves. The zebra-pattern suit from Anne Klein (below right) also suggests a curvaceous shape. The higher-cut thigh provides the additional illusion of longer legs.

Small-busted women need to look for styles that add fullness to the top. This sleek Spiegel maillot with higher cut legs has an additional bit of cloth fabric drape at the top that provides a suggestion of bulk and fullness.

This last style would work for most figure types but is particularly suited for shorter women: the solid color and higher-cut neck gives the illusion of additional length through the torso. The sexy higher-cut thighs give a leggier look.

So, go forth and suit shop! Discrim-inating shoppers can weed though all of the choices to find appropriate styles for your figure type and style. No matter the style, proper fit is the most important element - too-large or too-small sizes don't do anything but make a less-than-perfect figure worse. If you are unsure of your ability to honestly evaluate yourself, take a trusted friend with you. And then go out for a de-caf latté

afterwards!