What’s Hot On The Beach This Summer?
As the weather heats up, and the holiday season approaches, thoughts turn to what’s on trend for beach wear this summer. Here’s an overview of the freshest swimwear looks for 2016 from the catwalks of Miami and Sao Paolo, together with some guidelines on what style works best for your own body type.
One piece swimsuit styles
One piece swimsuits are sure to be popular again this season, with side cut-outs and waist-enhancing panels featuring strongly. There’s plenty of choice when it comes to necklines too. Choose from halters, sweethearts, plunges, and single shoulder straps, or try long sleeves for something really different.
Look out for flattering fringes and playful ruffles in total contrast to meshed inset waist panels and even leather-look bondage effects. Laces also feature heavily in this year’s designs, some being teamed with side cut-outs or used to accentuate a heavily slashed costume back.
Bikini styles
If you prefer a two-piece bikini, minimal could be the way to go this summer. Tiny handkerchief costumes featuring side laces and even cut-outs on the top are right on trend. If you’d feel more comfortable in something a little more substantial, high-waist bottoms and tankinis with shorts-style bottoms are also likely to prove popular.
Sporty chic is a fun look and this crop top and shorts combo can also be teamed with matching accessories such as jackets and tennis skirts.
Prints and patterns and fabrics
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting a pattern or design for your swimwear. There are pretty pastel florals, stunning ethnic designs, stripes, and very stylish block colours, especially black, hot pink, coral, and turquoise. Metallic-look fabrics can be very attractive or, for something really different, you might like to consider crochet or even leather – although this option is for the beach only, not the sea! Animal prints and snakeskin patterns are back again this season, with fish scales making their first appearance.
What swimwear style best suits your body shape?
Pear shaped
If you’re pear shaped, you have a figure like Jennifer Lopez or Beyoncé, with curvy hips and thighs, but are smaller on top.
When choosing a swimsuit, it’s important to find a style that balances your proportions and adequately covers your bottom half. A good tactic is to wear a style with a skirted bottom that sits just below the largest part of your thighs. Team this with a plunging neckline or interesting design feature to draw the eye upward.
Short-style or thick-banded bottoms are not a good idea as these can just draw attention to the area of your body that you want to mask. A mix and max approach to colour can work well too; use a plain, dark fabric for the bottom and a bright, patterned one for the top.
Large bust
The most suitable swimsuits for those ladies who are well-endowed on top are those that have bra-style tops with underwiring and adjustable straps. Wider straps will be more comfortable, and a cut with a higher back will help to combat the forces of gravity. Moulded cups can provide support and shaping, as well as comfort.
If you want to draw attention away from your bust, avoid embellishments such as ruffles or fringing.
Small bust
The trick with this body type is to try to make the most of what you have in the bust department. Bold prints, ruffles, and triangle-shaped tops can give the illusion of curves, and the additional fabric contained in bandeaus can also help to enhance your bust. Look out for bra tops with padding and push-up styling to help to create cleavage and extra lift.
Athletic
Women with athletic builds tend to have fewer curves and more of a straight-up-and-down figure.
A swimsuit with a smaller bottom will help to make your butt look curvier and fuller, and tops with embellishments and ruffles can create the illusion of more curves up-top. Another good way of creating curves is to choose swimsuits with cut-outs and slashes.
Apple shaped
People who are apple shaped tend to carry most of their weight in the middle of their bodies.
A high-waisted swimsuit can help to flatten the tummy and wrap-around styles can trim your waist by creating a flattering silhouette. Many retailers produce body-shaping designs in both one and two piece styles, which can be very effective in helping to control bulges.
Curvy
If you have a curvy, hourglass figure like Kim Kardashian, you’ll have a full bust, hips, thighs and butt.
Asymmetrical swimsuits can work well by drawing the eye toward your neckline. Color-blocking, high waisted styles and boxy halter tops also work well in highlighting your shape.
In conclusion
With so many different styles, materials, and patterns to choose from this summer, you’re sure to find the perfect beachwear for you. Always try on several different styles and sizes of garment to see what you’re most comfortable in, and be sure to choose the silhouette that best suits your body shape.
