Mature Dating - Body Type Fashion Advice

Howto Find a Bathing Suit That Fits Your Needs and Your Body

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

I recently lost some weight, and was excited to go swimsuit shopping. Well, when I went, I ended up with hands full of teeny-weeny bikinis! Frankly, even if I looked good in those (which I don't), I don't think they're age-appropriate -- I'm 47! I also don't want my teenage daughters in them.

My daughters said it's either the bikinis or "old lady" suits with big ruffled skirts. Isn't there anything in between? How can I find a flattering suit?

Sincerely,

Cover Up

April Masini's advice:

Dear Cover Up,

The fashion pendulum swings back and forth and nobody can stop it. So what's the antidote to the thong? The revenge of the butt floss bathing suit? The one-piece!

While bikinis will ALWAYS have a place in the sun, even they are less skimpy this year than in prior years, with boy-cut bottoms covering some thigh and proving that pouty can be sexy, too.

Here's why you should consider the one-piece:

* There are more women putting on bathing suits -- and the bulk of the women suiting up for the first time in a long time are not teens. They're women over 50. Baby boomers are more datable, more sexual and more active than ever, and they're hitting the beaches in record numbers. They've found that the one piece is often the most flattering for the majority of them.

* Baby boomers are working out at the gym and swimming laps as part of their exercise routines. One piece bathing suits are the more practical suit for swimming laps.

* Coastal baby boomers are surfing. Women's surf camps are counting baby boomers and mid-life moms among their most popular enrollees, and one piece suits are less likely to render the surfer topless without warning when the waves and the surf take over.

* Less is more. Showing less skin can be way sexier than showing more. Any woman who's gotten a man can tell you that leaving him wanting to see or know more is THE way to go -- and I'm a huge proponent of that theory. A one-piece can promise a lot more than a bikini can.

* One-piece suits have become more sophisticated in their design. Designers realized that a high cut thigh with a covered midriff can make your leg look longer and more gorgeous than it is. Optical illusions like a V-neck one-piece can give you a more flattering bustline than a bandeau bikini top.

Here's an excerpt from my book, Think & Date Like A Man, from the chapter on fashion. I've addressed bathing suit musts:

Basic Bathing Suit Rules:

Whether you choose a one-piece or two-piece, choose a swimsuit that looks best on your body. There is no age at which you cannot wear a two-piece bathing suit – just make sure that your bikini is age and body type appropriate.

* Big breasts - If you have big breasts and you want a two-piece bathing suit, try a halter shaped top that emphasizes cleavage while minimizing bounce, and providing support. The under-wire bra top will shape your bust-line by lifting and supporting to define your shape. Some bathing suits are made with built-in minimizing bras.

* Generous booty – A scoop bottom will give your backside coverage so that you’re not hanging out of your suit. You want a good rear view. Walk away with confidence.

* Small breasts – A push up bra top is a great look for women who want a bigger look up top. Create cleavage with under-wire support and push up pads built into the top. A padded bandeau top is also a cute look that will flatter a good figure with small breasts. Or go au natural with a triangle top – the kind that has very little support, and looks like two triangles, covering your breasts. Adjustable straps assure flexibility so you’re not falling out of your top, and you can also buy these with light padding.

* Small bottoms look great in boy cut short bottoms or if you have a well-toned tummy, a string bottom flaunts your abs and everything else.

* A tankini is a great suit for small or medium sized breasts – especially if your abs are less toned than you’d like them to be. This is a flattering look with the sexy peek of tummy to let everyone know you’re still wearing a two-piece.

* One-piece bathing suits are very sexy – as long as you have the right one for your body. A suit that has a diagonal print or a diagonal fabric cut is flattering to thick middles or generous tummies. A V-neck gives the illusion of more bust than you actually have and draws attention away from heavy thighs. If you have a big bust, go for a scoop or rounded neck suit.

* Get a leg up - High cut leg openings on your one-piece will give the illusion of longer legs. But if you have saddlebags or thick thighs, go for a modified leg opening. The lower cut the leg opening, the less help you get flattering your legs. If you have a boyish thin figure, a boy-cut bottom will look very sexy, whereas a high cut leg line may make you look gaunt.

* Prints or solids - A flowery or all over print hides a myriad of sins. A solid color will hide less. A bright or light solid color is only for those with terrific bodies. If you’ve got a great body, get a white suit – by all means! Horizontal stripes accentuate, so don’t wear a horizontally striped suit if you’re heavy. If you’re a very thin body type, go for the stripes. Horizontal stripes on the top of a suit, will make a small bust look bigger.

Cover-ups

Do not wear a makeshift long sleeved, button down shirt as your cover up! And save the moo moos for traditional island events. Your best look for over a swimsuit is a sarong, which will never go out of style, and that you can wrap around your hips or under your arms for a sexy island cover-up.