Fear not: Figure-flattering swimsuits disguise flaws and boost confidence

Scripps Howard

For a lucky few, summer is synonymous with fun in the sun. For others (most of us), summer stirs up a primal and nearly unequaled fear. I speak, of course, about swimsuit shopping.

Luckily, there are secrets to buying figure-flattering swimwear, and tons of online retailers hopping on the helpful bandwagon.

UBanish belly bulge: Muffin tops, love handles or spare tires — whatever nickname we come up with, no one likes displaying their belly bulge. Fortunately, there are proven methods of camouflage: a halter neck draws attention up and showcases cleavage. Also, consider a tankini, which can provide looser, more forgiving coverage than a snug one-piece or a teeny bikini. Landsend.com lets you shop by anxiety zone and has a nice selection.

UBoost a small bust: If you’re in the “less endowed” camp and would like to emphasize what you’ve got up top, be free with ruffles, bright colors and other embellishments. Of course, a little (or a lot) of padding never hurts in the cleavage department. Target.com has a really nice array of flirty, frilly options.

UDecrease your decolletage: If, however, your cup runneth over and you would like to de-emphasize what’s going on up high, choose a top with a built-in bra for structure and support. Also, select tops with straps instead of strings for stability; the best are bralike tops that allow you to adjust strap length. Figleaves.com is a great site as it stocks sizes up to 56D.

UTrim a long torso: If you’re one of the lucky women blessed in the height department, chances are that blessing comes with a long torso. To break it up, choose a two-toned suit or a swimsuit with a belt. Also, look for one-piece suits in “long torso” lengths (available at many retailers) to ensure a proper fit and eliminate uncomfortable tugging. Cyberswim.com has a bevy of figure-friendly suits, including the miraculous Miraclesuit.

UThin thighs: Want to flaunt a set of up-to-there gams? Choose bathing suits with high-cut legs to help visually lengthen and slim thighs. Do yourself a favor and avoid boy shorts that cut straight across; they accentuate your widest part and make your legs look shorter than they need to. And who needs that? Victoriassecret.com reigns supreme in the land of high-cut bottoms.

So now that we’ve addressed those irksome anxiety areas, gather your new suit and your confidence and flaunt what you got.