Swimsuits- part 1

It's bathing suit season again. But if you'd rather relocate to Alaska than have to go through the dreaded task of shopping for a swimsuit, don't book your ticket yet. All you need for a positive suit-buying experience is a little know-how. Recognizing which swimsuit style is most flattering for your shape is half the battle. The other half is realizing that there are very few perfect bodies out there and that everyone is self-conscious about some part of their figure. Follow these swimsuit style tips the next time you're in the market for a new suit.
Women with pear-shaped figures can breathe a sigh of relief. There are plenty of options out there today to complement this body type, which, more than others, requires a suit that accentuates the positive and draws the eye away from the not-so-positive. Here's what to look for (and steer clear of).

• Bikinis or one-pieces with eye-catching tops and darker bottoms draw attention away from the hips and rear.
• Halters, push-ups and padded tops enhance the upper body.
• High-cut bottoms lengthen legs and have a slimming effect.
• Strapless styles create a horizontal line and balance the figure.
• Sporty boy shorts provide more coverage.
• Avoid: side-string or printed bottoms, which focus attention on the area you want to conceal the most.

Hey, you -- come out from under that tunic. While chic cover-ups are the perfect items for walks on the beach, you can't hide under them all the time. In fact, some voluminous tops make a large bust look even larger. Here's how to find a flattering, no-tunic-required swimsuit.

• Halter styles and suits with structure in the bust area, such as soft foam cups or shelf bras, provide the lift and support busty women need.
• Suits that are dark on top and light on the bottom divert attention away from the bust area.
• Suits with wide straps are more comfortable and are less likely to dig into the shoulders and back area.
• Details like ruffles, shirring and draping below the chest draw the eye downward.
• Suits with slimming panels at the sides of the bust minimize an ample top half.
• Avoid: strapless bandeaus and triangle bikini tops, which offer little or no support.

Women with short torsos can often appear stocky in the wrong swimsuit style. Your goal is to give the impression of length and litheness. Here's how.

• Bikinis with bottoms that sit low on the hips help expose as much skin as possible in the torso area to create length.
• Solid one-pieces with plunging necklines create a continual long appearance.
• Vertical stripes can visually lengthen the body.
• Solid bottoms with printed tops draw the eye up and create a longer look.
• Avoid: high-waisted bikini bottoms and suits with horizontal stripes in the midsection. Also, boy shorts and skirted bikinis draw the eye down and make you look shorter.