Five Great Swimwear Styles and Where to Find Them

Cooling off in a pool or the ocean can bring sweet relief from the middle-of-the-summer, no-breeze-in-sight heat, but garnering the courage to get out of your cover-up can be a bit nerve wracking. 

That is, unless you’ve got a great suit underneath.

While bathing suit shopping is the one trip to the mall most women dread, it doesn’t have to be so painful. Now more than ever, designers are creating swimwear with real women in mind, crafted to make all women, of all shapes and sizes look like bathing beauties. 

Here, we’ve got five great styles to try, and where to find them in your neck of the woods.

Terrific Tankinis:  If you like the look of a two-piece bikini, but you crave the coverage of a one-piece, a tankini can become your new best friend.  These styles offer the convenience of a two-piece (ahem, bathroom breaks), and the amount of coverage varies by style.  If you want just a bit more coverage, go for low-slung bottoms or a higher cut top. Want to completely cover your tummy?  Look for longer tops that extend down to the hips.
Where to Buy:

Slimming Shapewear:  If you don’t know by now, shapewear undergarments can transform an outfit.  They help smooth lumps and bumps, and hide trouble areas. Now, the makers of shapewear are using that magical material to create stunning (and slimming) swimwear.  Look for one-piece styles that trim inches, or high-waisted bikini bottoms that help to tone your tummy. 
Where to Buy: Assets, available at ; Spanx, available at Dillard’s at Citrus Park

Mix-and-Match:  A great trend that is fun and flattering is the mix-and-match look.  Whether it’s printed bottoms and a solid top, or two different colors all together, this trend is easily customized to your style and can help highlight your best assets.  Want to minimize your hips?  Go for a dark, solid bottom and bright colored top to draw the eye upwards.  Or try the opposite combination to minimize a large bust line.
Where to Buy: ; Victoria’s Secret at Citrus Park (in-store and online)

Raging Ruffles:  The ruffles trend is huge this season, and it’s making its way onto the swimwear scene, too.  And it’s a good thing, because a few strategically placed ruffles can create a super-flattering style.  If you’re smaller up top, look for a style that has ruffles along the neckline.  This will help add a little volume where you want it.  Trying to conceal your tummy area?  Go for a one piece with a deep V-neck of ruffles to draw the eye towards the middle of your body and away from those problem areas.
Where to Buy: ; Pacific Sunwear at Citrus Park

Monokinis: This new trend in swimwear has been around for a couple of years, but designers are finally getting the hang of how to make it work for real women.  The monokini is a cross between a one-piece and a bikini, and can be a perfect way to show a little skin without going overboard.  Look for styles that show your best areas and cover the ones you may want to hide. A super-deep V-neck highlights a great neckline, and side cutouts can really show off your curves.
Where to Buy: ; Victoria’s Secret (in-store and online)