subject: Top 10 Tips For Choosing A Swimsuit [print this page] Congratulations! You have decided to embark on the devastatingly painful, heartbreaking, humiliating, alcohol & binge-eating inducing, relationship & soul destroying, sweaty gymnastics of body contortionism that is selecting your new summer swimsuit.
Buying a swimsuit isn't fun. It is worse than buying jeans, which is universally awful.
It was recently when a woman told me that she had spent longer deliberating over her last swimsuit purchase that she did over buying a car. And it was then that I thought, Enough.
Enough, Enough, Enough.
We are here to give you some genuinely helpful tips based on about 27 years experience helping women choose the best swimsuit for them.
1. GET OVER IT!
Face your fear. If you follow this advice it isn't going to be so bad. You might even enjoy yourself and have a laugh and be ecstatic with your purchase!
2. BE SMART
Do your research. Go to a shop which specialises in swimwear for your age group and/or figure type; one which provides individualised expert help and preferably one that makes their own stuff. This way you can bet the staff will have a thorough understanding of their products and will be able to offer you great advice.
3. BE TIME WISE
Give yourself a reasonable amount of time. Rome wasn't built in a day!
4. CHOOSE YOUR ARMY WISELY OR FIGHT ALONE
It can be fantastic to take your mother or sister, friend or husband/partner in with you for advice and a second opinion, but be careful not to take somebody overly critical or pushed for time.
5. QUEEN FOR A DAY
Don't waste your precious time getting dressed and undressed between try-ons. Stay in your undies and ask the expert assistant to offer advice and hand you more options. She is your humble servant after all!
6. QUICK CULLING
Don't waste your valuable fitting time hanging up swimsuits you're finished with in the changeroom, thinking you're being helpful. Hand the swimsuits you don't want straight back to the expert assistant. you'll also avoid confusion about which styles you want to keep.
7. OPEN YOUR MIND
Looks can be deceiving. A limp piece of nylon/lycra on a hanger will look completely different on you. Keep an open mind and try new things. If you've picked a great place, you can bet that expert assistant has tried on almost everything herself and has helped hundreds of women select great swimsuits she will be able to help you.
Trust her advice! Try different necklines and leglines, colours and patterns. You never know if you don't have a go!
8. GET REAL
Know your own body and be realistic about what a swimsuit is capable of doing. It is a piece of fabric, and it will probably be tight. It is not a magic potion; it will not turn you into a super model, but the right swimsuit will flatter your best features and downplay other areas with clever design details.
9. KNOW THYSELF
Remember that YOU are the one who is going to have to wear this wonderful new creation, probably in public. Be firm, think carefully and don't be pressured into something you don't think you would wear once you leave the store.
10. DON'T GIVE UP
Know from the outset that not every swimsuit you try on is going to work for you. Don't be disheartened. Resist the urge to give up. Show the expert assistant what the swimsuit looks like on you, and discuss what your concerns with it are. This will narrow down the choice and help her show you better styles for your figure shape.
YOU DID IT!
If you pick a great shop, keep an open mind, accept advice and persevere. You will do it! You might even find yourself desperately awaiting the next sunny day.
