Swimsuits - the Ultimate Guide

Finding the Perfect Swimsuit: The Ultimate Guide

Shopping for swimwear can at first appear to be a difficult and daunting process. These days, women’s bodies are defined by an endless amount of ridiculous shapes: pear, hourglass, inverted triangle… a woman can even have a spoon shaped body, apparently. It’s no wonder ladies find the dreaded swimsuit shop a struggle, so I’ve compiled a guide to help find the best fit for you.

PEAR SHAPED:

You have a smaller top half but have curvy hips and thighs. If you’re looking to accentuate your curves, go for high cut bikini briefs. Alternatively, look for swimsuits with block colour bottoms and detailed, printed tops to draw attention to your top half and minimize your curves.

Dorothy Perkins, £26.10 M&S Collection, £25.00

ATHLETIC: You have fewer curves and your body shape is straight up, and down. The key is to pick swimwear which will enhance your frame. Bold prints, padding and ruffled detailing will give the illusion of more curves. Avoid bandeau tops and skirted bottoms as these will only flatten your shape. New Look,

Top: £9.99, Bottoms: £7.99

New Look, Top: £17.99, Bottoms: £11.99

F&F @ Tesco, £14.00

HOURGLASS: The hourglass figure is said to be the perfect body shape: a teeny tiny waist, a full bust and shoulders in line with curvy hips – jealous! Retro styles like high waisted bikinis are perfect for lengthening your legs and drawing attention to your well defined waist. Look for bright blocks of colour rather than mix and match tops and bottoms to avoid looking out of proportion.

I’m Ria Taylor, I’m 18 years old, currently finishing my final year of A-Levels. A true party girl at heart, I’m a lover of music, food and fashion.

I’m off to study Journalism at Leeds Beckett University later this year – a career that I hope to pursue later in life! Writing is something I have always enjoyed and a great way to express myself, which is why I set up my own fashion and style blog earlier this year: whatrialoves.com.

Stress less during the summer holiday season advises belifehappy author Emma Lannigan Smell of warm air as you step of the plane, feel the sand between your toes, taste the delicious cold ice-cream and can you hear that? – Splash! Laughter! Where are you?

The summer holiday season is a time of play. What is the perfect holiday? How do you create a holiday everyone will enjoy? Host a Holiday Vision Board Party and get everyone going involved; get the family together; invite everyone round, play some summer songs and let’s GO!

Ask everyone to write a list of favourite holiday activities.

Use old magazines to tear out pictures and make your own holiday vision board.

What does your holiday feel like, look like, sound like? What things do you want to do? Places to visit, activities, food, drink, entertainment and climate.

Give everyone 30 minutes and then collect all the ideas together.

Get all the pictures and lay them out on the table or floor and look for similarities.

Agree on a maximum budget and length of time for the break.

From here you can all vote (compromise) on location, activities etc.

TEN TIPS to Reduce Holiday Season Stress

1.

You always have a choice on the type of holiday, who it is with, how much and how you travel. Go back to your vision board and make sure you have been honest!

2.

3.

Pack with ease and roll your clothes in your baggage for less creasing - it’s much easier to unpack, too!

However you are travelling allow plenty of time and build stops in if required.

4.

Plan entertainment for you and everyone else traveling. Ask what everyone wants to do or what music they want to listen to.

5.

6.

Travelling by air, accept before you arrive, there are likely to be some queues. Check in online and bag drop.

Delays and traffic jams are out of your control, change your focus to what you can control instead.

7.

Be respectful of other people sharing your journey or holiday resort area. Focus on your holiday and enjoy it!

8.

9.

On arrival at your destination, breathe and smile. You have arrived on your holiday!

During your break check in with everyone. Talk to each other and add in some flexibility to your plans.

10. Avoid ’post holiday blues’ by focusing on all the things you enjoyed and the time you’ve spent together (and on yourself.)