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Swim in Style

Dress down to impress by picking the right swim wear this summer

by SONAM DOLKAR

FROM ISSUE # 149 (May 2008) | IN THIS ISSUE
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All Illustrations: Neeti Acharya

ATHLETIC

Your body shape: This is considered the perfect body shape. Hips and shoulders are balanced with a defined waistline.

What to wear: You can wear any style of swimsuit! Try something that will show off your feminine curves. Having an hourglass shape also gives you the ability to try all sorts of cuttings and prints, so be bold and go wild! Our recommendation is also the bandeau style top, an extremely flattering piece best suited to the hourglass body type.

PEAR

Your body shape: This body type has a wider waistline than shoulders, with wonderfully rounded hips and bottom. Women with this shape should try to draw people's attention away from the problematic areas like the upper thighs.

What to wear: One-piece boatneck, racerback and tummy-control swimsuits visibly create the illusion of broader shoulders for a more balanced figure. Wear a swimsuit that has graphics on the top and is plain on the bottom. Or try mini-skirted two piece suits that cover the problematic thigh area.

Chokers look great on this body type. You could also try on some short sarongs that hide your thighs and look sexy too.

APPLE

Your body shape: This body shape has a fuller bust and a less-defined waistline, along with narrow shoulders and thighs.

What to wear: Choose a swimsuit that draws attention away from the midriff and tummy area. Halter tops or molded under wire cups are great for you as it is both sexy and comfortable. Try on bikini bottoms that have lots of colour and print. Suits with draping are great bust-minimizing choices. Dark solids also work wonders. Layered slim chains will give you an exotic feel but stay away from chokers and chains that are overly long and they add weight around places that don't need it.

HOURGLASS

Your body shape: This is considered the perfect body shape. Hips and shoulders are balanced with a defined waistline.

What to wear: You can wear any style of swimsuit! Try something that will show off your feminine curves. Having an hourglass shape also gives you the ability to try all sorts of cuttings and prints, so be bold and go wild! Our recommendation is also the bandeau style top, an extremely flattering piece best suited to the hourglass body type.

FOR THE MEN

Tall and lean: Board shorts or long bathing suits look really good on this body type. These shorts are approximately 23 inches in length and should almost reach your knees. These shorts help in creating curves and also show off those calves. Shorts with bright colours and wild patterns are also great for you.

Short or bigger around the belly: Solid one coloured boxer shorts or volley shorts are made for this body type. Volley shorts or boxer shorts are around 14 to18 inches in length. Solid colours such as black help to draw attention away from the problematic areas like the belly. Vertical linings or V-shaped patterns around the sides of the suits help your legs look thinner and longer. Longer shorts will only make you look shorter.

Athletic body type: Almost all swimwear suits this body type. Show off your toned body by wearing briefs (better known as Speedo) or swimming trunks that are a narrow 1½ to 4 inches in length. A person needs a lot of confidence to carry off this swimwear.

As for accessorising, the latest trend is to match your footwear, preferably flip-flops, to your swim suit.