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Swimsuit Advice for those over 30 (years or pounds)May 14 '01 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line We all hate people with perfect bodies. Here's how to look like you have a better body. Since swimming is an outdoor activity (for most of us) I decided to direct my energies to advice on picking out the perfect swimsuit. If you have a perfect body and love to try on swimsuits...I hate you. go away! Just kidding. No one that I know has a perfect body (though some come close.) For those of us with ripples, dimples, rolls, wrinkles and sags, however, here is Talia's Advice on Swimsuit Purchasing 1) When you go to pick out a swimsuit, take a friend with you. (I like taking someone who has been more ravaged by gravity than I have, but that becomes more difficult as the years go by.) Seriously though, you simply can't look at all the angles on your body. Have someone along who will give you good advice and who won't point and laugh (too much.) Keep in mind that professional models have a whole entourage to make sure they have perfect make-up, hair, and lighting and after all that, they still are airbrushed. You're not going to look like Cindy Crawford. You may not even look like Michael Crawford. Just settle on being the best you can be. 2) Getting back to that ravages of gravity thing...if you don't go braless in public normally, get a swimsuit with built in support. Also, the same advice goes for you that goes for the serious athletic swimmer - forget about string bikinis. If you swam as a child, you spent many years trying to pull things out of the place that a string bikini wants to settle. 3) Do a little pre-shopping work-out. If your body isn't perfect (mine certainly isn't!) plan for the day you're going to go swimsuit shopping. Do some ab-crunches everyday. Every swimsuit will look better with your tummy a little tighter. Use some self-tanning lotion to give you a little extra color before you shop. You're going to end up a little tan if you're swimming outside anyway. For me at least, my cellulite always looks better when it's not deathly white. 4) Look for flat and locked stitches on the suit. Serious swimmers want this because this helps prevent drag. The rest of us want this because it helps prevent chaffing around the legs and in the shoulder area. Stretch the elastic in your hands a few times to ensure it's durable and doesn't stretch without retracting firmly. 5) Try as many different styles as you need to. Some people believe that a little skirt will hide some figure problems. If you are like me, however, and don't look good in a miniskirt, one made of lycra-spandex doesn't really help. 6) Always try on a suit before you buy. All cuts are different, and not all brands have the same fit. Ideally it should stretch well over the body, but not so much that it pulls or cuts into your skin. Also, keep in mind that designers sizing charts vary. Size charts are especially important when you're buying a suit on-line. Only do this, however, if you already know the line. 7) If you're like me, the top and bottom part of you are not necessarily the same size. Check into some catalogs or stores that will sell these portions separately...assuming you want a two piece. I like a one piece. These new fabrics act like body shapers and make me look much better than I thought I could. If you can only buy one size, buy the larger size. Nothing makes you less attractive that too tight. A little big and you can always comment on having lost weight. 8) To check the fit of the bottoms, kneel down. If it rides up...well...if it rides up your tushy (and it's not a thong) consider one size larger. For a proper fitting top draw a line with your finger from under your arm (where your breast begins) all the way under your breast to the center…the wire of your bra in your suit should match this imaginary line. If the wires are too short or too long, or if you notice unsightly bulges either on the side or on top of your breast it's time to consider a top that holds your breasts better. Shoulder straps and bra backs are easy to alter if you need them shortened or the bra back tightened. Your main concern should be with the wire and how it lays under your breast. Finally, remember that swimsuits can either enhance or camaflouge your figure, but you're never going to hide everything. Big neon floral prints are not good for camaflouge. If you want to downplay your hips, try a dark solid color on the bottom and put the color and pattern on top. (My suit this year is solid black. You can consider for yourself what that says about what I'm trying to do.) Revisions: Special Advice for men: In Australia, Speedos are referred to as lolly bags. This is not an attractive look on anyone. Steer clear of these. If you are a serious swimmer, you will probably steer clear of board suits or trunks. Right now there is a style of well fitted but not overly revealing suits. Check these out. Like women, you'll look better if you start a regimen of some ab crunches. You may not have a six-pack, but you can at least try to minimize your keg. Check the material from which your swimsuit is made. There are fabrics that become transparent when wet. If your swimsuit is made of these, make sure it is lined with something that doesn't. Advice to all: Use your sunscreen. Lobster red looks lousy with all swimsuits.  |
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