How to…find the swimsuit for your body shape.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pappyv

Whether you’re full-figured or stick thin, top-heavy, bottom-heavy, or somewhere in between, this guide will help you find your most flattering swimsuit this year.

Finding Your Body Type

When you go swimsuit shopping, you might hear people talking about rulers and cones and apples and pears when they go swimsuit shopping.  Surely, apples and pears make for good summertime fruits and rulers and cones pay off a dear reminder from geometry class. But, what does this have to do with swimsuit shopping, you ask?

It’s because swimsuits are often constructed to fit a certain body shape, and it’s primal to know what yours is to get your perfect suit. You should pay special attention to this because the right swimsuit can reveal body symmetry and, where necessary, emphasize your curves.

There are four body shapes that we are going to discuss today: The Hourglass, The Ruler, The Spoon, and the Cone (or Triangle) Body Shape.

The hourglass figure is characterized by your bust being equal or much likely in size in measurement to your hips. Women with hourglass figures also can have very small waistlines. Celebrities with your body shape: Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Kate Winslet.

When you have even proportions or curves, you can get away with a variety of different swimsuit styles. However, it’s best to stick to solid color swimsuits, because wearing different colors on top may make your body look disportional. Stick to colors that match.  Shops to scout out at KoP: American Eagle Outfitters (The Plaza),  Bloomingdale’s (The Court), Nordstrom (The Plaza), and J.Crew (The Plaza)

Rulers are the same size from top to bottom, and can often be described as “boyish.” One reason you might enjoy looking at fashion models is because you share the same body type. You can get away with nearly every style, but if you prefer not to look “boyish”, stick to ruffles and/or some floral patterns to avoid this. Celebrities with your body type: Fashion models.  Shop to scout out at KoP: Abercrombie and Fitch (The Plaza), American Eagle Outfitters (The Plaza), J.Crew (The Plaza)

Spoon body shapes tend to be heavier in their bottoms than in in their top halves. Your hips would be larger than your bust and you have a somewhat defined waistline. While you may gain more weight in your hips, your lower legs and arms are shapely and your best assets. You’ll want to draw attention to your shoulders and arms while deemphasizing your tummy and hips to create more balance. Celebrities with your body shape: Rihanna, Eva Mendes Shops to scout out at KoP: Old Navy (The Plaza), Nordstrom (The Plaza), Macy’s (The Court), and Victoria’s Secret  (The Court)

The Cone shape is a triangular shape that is more of an athletic build with broad shoulders. You may also have smaller hip measurements. Shoot for halter tops, underwire tops, and anything that provides enough coverage for your top. Try string bikinis because your frame will look fabulous. Also, try mixing and matching patterns which can draw attention to your bottom half. Celebrities with your body shape: Angelina Jolie. Stores to scout out at KoP: Victoria’s Secret (The Court), Macy’s (The Court), Nordstrom (The Plaza), and Old Navy (The Plaza)