Swimwear 101: Basic Silhouettes

OK, so you go to your favorite department store, you see a color or a print that you like, and you're thinking, awesome, do they have my size? Stop doing that. Learn your body, learn what works for it, and you'll be ahead of the game. Here's what you should know:

1. Very few women wear the same size top and bottom. If you're going for two pieces, shop in stores that sell them as separates (this has become increasingly common, to the point where I'm pretty sure there's no good excuse to refuse customers a good fit in the interest of selling a matched set of sizes...thus, I propose we all avoid these types of backwards thinking establishments!)

2. Determine your basic shape. Where do you carry the greatest amount of your weight? Most likely, you fit into one of a few basic categories-

-Pear Shaped- you carry your weight in your hips and thighs and have narrow shoulders and a fairly small chest,

-Apple Shaped- you carry your weight around your middle and have a full chest, but narrower hips and thin or shapely legs,

-Hourglass- pretty self explanatory. Your hips and chest are full and you have a well defined waist.

-Boy Shaped- you're thin all over. Your friends probably say, aw, poor you, you have a model's body, but you actually have a lot of trouble finding clothes that fit. Sound familiar?

Moving on, different swimsuit cuts flatter the different body types. We'll discuss each body shape in further detail over the next few days and how to best flatter it, but as this post is more of an introduction, I want to explain the basic shapes that swimwear shows up in so we're all on the same page.

The maillot, (pronounced and often spelled simply as mio) is your basic one piece suit, and usually refers to the strapless kind. A tank mio is the one piece with tank style straps.

Racerback refers to the criss-cross straps you typically see on an athletic swimsuit. The function is to increase your range of motion by freeing your shoulderblades while still providing support for your chest.

Retro style mios have become incredibly popular in the last few years. The "pinup" look is IN!

The Monokini, which has gained in popularity in the last few years, is a one piece with a cutout through the middle. Usually the top and bottom remain attached down one side of the body and open along the other, or the sides are cut out and the top and bottom are connected over the belly button.

A bikini is your standard 2 piece, bra top and bottom. Bikini styles vary greatly, and there are tons of styles to suit different shapes. My one rule with bikinis is know your limits: there comes a time for all of us when these are simply no longer appropriate, whether due to aging, weight gain, or gravity. Recognize and embrace this part of your life and remember that you'll look far better in a suit that works FOR you than in one that might show more skin but doesn't flatter you in the least.

Ursula Andress's wardrobe in the 1962 Bond flick "Dr. No," was partially responsible for the bikini's rise to greatness.

Tankinis, which have gained in popularity over the last 10-15 years, are separate tops and bottoms that appeal to the "one-piece" crowd. They cover all or most of your midriff, but save you the hassle of a one piece (anyone who's ever tried to use a restroom in a wet one piece knows this drama), as well as offering a much better fit- just as most of us don't have the same size top and bottom, one-piece suits are difficult to fit- they need to fit your chest, waist, hips, AND torso length.

A "Surplice" style mio tank suit- Surplice refers to the v-neck and wrap-around styling of the suit.

Within all these categories, you'll see halters (they tie or connect with a clasp or hook behind the neck), strings (usually just on bikinis and monokinis, small pieces of fabric tied onto your body with a shoelace sized string), bandeaus (no straps, cuts straight across your chest), v-, scoop-, square-, high-, and round-necks, surplice suits (these have a v-neck and are stitched to look much like a wrap-around top or dress). There are ruffles to add bulk where you need it, control panels to suck in the gut, ruching (gathering) to hide problem areas, swim skirts to help conceal and add modesty, push up pads, and tons and tons of other options. Never fear. Each day a new body type and all the best options for it will be revealed and you'll be able to walk confidently on the beach knowing that even though boyshorts LOOK like they cover more skin, they're rarely flattering on any but the thinnest thighs.