3 days ago
How to shop for a swimsuit and not hate it! The ultimate guide to finding a figure-flattering one-piece - and 14 shaping styles that are sexy and supportive
Having a beach vacation on the horizon is exciting, but for many of us the idea of shopping for swimwear fills us with dread. Leaving aside the harsh fitting room lighting (trust us when we say no-one ever looks good under those lights, no matter your age or body shape), the search for a cozzie that's stylish and supportive can be quite challenging.
One of the biggest hurdles to overcome is inconsistent sizing. The digit on the tag of your trousers or dress is almost irrelevant when you're trying on a swimsuit. There are a number of reasons you might want to size up or down: maybe you're looking for something with a little more (or a little less) coverage, or you've got a fuller bust or bum.
It's important that you feel great in your swimsuit. You'll want the design to cinch you in at the waist (hello, shaping swimwear) and show off all your best parts, whether that's your curves or legs. But a one-piece should be comfortable, too. There's nothing worse than straps digging into your shoulders or neck (that's why it's generally best to avoid halternecks).
You'll want to look for swimsuits with design features like ruching and shirring (to define the waist), belted waists and twist details (to create an hourglass illusion) and high-cut legs and plunging necklines (to add the illusion of length). Need a little more support? Search for swimsuits with built-in tummy-control panels that will smooth out any bumps.
This season, there are a ton of swimwear brands to choose from that offer different levels of support. We've looked through them all to bring you our edit of the best shaping swimsuits to add to your holiday wish list.
The best tummy-control swimsuits
Next
£40 Shop
M&S
£39.50 Shop
Simply Be
£50 Shop
Bravissimo
£44.50 Shop
Accessorize
£28 Shop
Next
£36 Shop
H&M
£24.49 Shop
M&S
£35 Shop
Pour Moi
£45 Shop
Mint Velvet
£69 Shop
Monsoon
£49 Shop
Boden
£86 Shop
Boux Avenue
£52 Shop
& Other Stories
£57 Shop
