Do you hate shopping for a swimsuit? Or wearing one in general?
Today on the blog I’m pleased to share a special guest post with some great swimsuit-shopping tips from fashion expert and celebrity stylist Alexis Honce (you may have seen her on The Marilyn Denis Show, which you know I’m very familiar with!)
But wait! There’s more! Read to the end for a fantastic (and quick) giveaway from Special K!
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The warm breeze, the bright sunshine, the backyard gatherings and beach excursions – there’s so much to celebrate now that summer has arrived. However, summer is also swimsuit season, and for many women, wearing one is met with mixed emotions.
According to the recent Kellogg’s Special K Swimsuit Confidence Survey, 44 per cent of Canadian women feel the most self-conscious about their bodies when in a swimsuit. And a majority (86 per cent) of women say their body type affects what bathing suit style they choose.
“Looking great in a swimsuit starts with confidence. You have to eat well, exercise, know your body type and choose a swimsuit that suits you,” says Alexis Honce, Canadian fashion expert and celebrity stylist who has worked alongside celebrities such as Michelle Williams, Shenae Grimes and Tatiana Maslany. “A large part of feeling confident comes from making smart food choices. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast and choosing smart snacks, like the range of delicious options available from Kellogg’s Special K, is a great way to stay on track without sacrificing taste.”
Honce offers these tips when considering which type of swimsuit suits you best:
Perfectly Pear Shaped
Pear-shaped physiques typically have broader hips and a smaller bust. When selecting a swimsuit, find a style that accentuates your best assets and adds volume to the top half. Ruffled bikini tops are a great option and are a popular style this season, too. A bandeaux or tube-top bikini style also helps to widen the shoulders and balance the hips. Brightly colored prints add visual intrigue up top, and are best paired with solid colour bottoms. Be sure to also look for high-cut bikini bottoms which figure flatter by helping to elongate the leg.
Lovely and Large Chested
Bigger busts require the right lift and support in a bathing suit top. Look for styles that have underwire which help shape the chest and keep “the girls” secure, whether you’re playing with your kids at the beach or swimming at the pool. Wider shoulder straps also help to provide support. Keep an eye out for swimsuits made of Lycra®, as this more structured material helps to shape the body and create a sleek, smooth line to really enhance those curves. Colour blocked swimwear styles are also very on trend this season and a great choice for this physique.
Amazingly Athletic
Athletic body types are typically lean with a muscular and more rectangular shape. The perfect suit for this shape is one that complements the silhouette, but simultaneously creates a feminine shape. A halter-top swimsuit style with a V-neckline broadens the shoulders, which helps to highlight and define the waist. For bottoms, look for high-cut styles that tie at the sides. Lastly, mix up the colour and print of your tops and bottoms as this helps to balance and accentuate a longer torso.
On-Point in Plus Size
A really flattering look for plus size physiques is a one-piece suit in a trendy colour-blocking pattern. Keep the colours on the top half of the suit light and look for styles that have darker colours over the tummy and hip area to bring attention up towards the face while enhancing your beautiful silhouette.
The most important thing to remember when choosing a swimsuit is that you should feel like the best version of yourself. Wearing the right swimsuit, just like wearing a fabulous outfit, should give you a boost of confidence knowing that you look as good on the outside as you feel on the inside.
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Thanks so much for sharing your expertise with us, Alexis!
To help you snack smart this summer, Special K is giving one lucky Canadian This Mom Loves reader a great prize pack with a limited edition tote bag and an assortment of tasty treats like cracker chips, pastry crisps and granola (see photo of prize pack)! All you have to do to enter is submit your e-mail address in the form below, with bonus entries for following This Mom Loves on social media.
The contest ends on Friday, July 25th at 11:59 pm Eastern, after which time a winner will be chosen through random number generation. Good luck!
Nice topic, but you forgot about not-plus sized, flabby belly! Lol! There's nothing like a good old tankini!
It's great to see you talking about day to day problems that all gals face. Now if only we could find a way to prevent the next generation from developing the same insecurities we all have…
Trying on swimsuits is terrifying, it helps to go in with some knowledge of what will look best according to body type! Now if only all retailers who stock swimwear could also provide flattering lighting and mirrors in the change rooms…