Question from Quiet Soul:

“What type of swimsuit would be good for me?

I want to go swimsuit shopping before I leave for Mexico in 2 weeks! I am i guess you could say a “pear” shape. I have no idea what would look good on me, i was thinking like a two piece the top would be longer and the bottom would be more of a skirt. I don’t really like to show to much skin unless i am laying in the sun. Any suggestions? Also, what type of design would look good (stripes, polka dots), or would plain look better?”

Answer:
Have no fear, you’ve got plenty of options!

The pear-shape body type, also called the triangle body type, is one of the most common female body types. This body shape is characterized by wider hips and a comparatively narrower bust and shoulders. A good way of summarizing this body type is “wider on bottom than on top.”

To dress this body type to best advantage, you want swimsuit tops that will play up the top half of the body, adding volume and size with things like push-up cups, underwire cups, bright patterns, bold colors and visually appealing designs.

In contrast, you want to go plainer on the bottom – choose subdued colors or black for the swimsuit bottom, and go with simple, minimal designs. Try to avoid a swim skirt on bottom, if possible, because that can make the hips and bootie seem wider. A simple bikini brief is your best bet. Avoid bottoms with horizontal stripes or patterns, because they can also make the bottom seem wider.

To give you an idea of the types of things you should shop for, here are a couple of our swimsuit recommendations for women with a pear body type:

Bandeau Tankinis are a Great Option
A bandeau tankini, like the Tara Grinna Flavius Bandeau Tankini Swimsuit Top Style FT-145, is a great option for a women with a pear body type that doesn’t want to show a lot of skin. The bandeau style ads a horizontal element to the bust, which gives the illusion of more width, and the halter style straps accent the shoulders and neck, making them appear wider. The skirted style of this tankini is flattering and can add a little concealment to the hips when paired with a simple bottom, like the Tara Grinna Flavius Mid Rise Swimsuit Bottom Style FT209.

Cleavage-Enhancing Tops Add Appeal
If you’re comfortable drawing attention to your cleavage, a cleavage-enhancing swimsuit top is a great way to add width on top and even out the silhouette. One of our newest tankinis, the Be Creative Sculpture Club Black Halter Tankini with Frills Style 3505753 is a flashy, ostentatious swimsuit top that’s sure to draw eyes and highlight your assets. Pair it with a plain bikini bottom and you’ll be in good shape.

Don’t Underestimate the Value of a Great Print on Top!

Finally, bold prints and great patterns on top are your key to looking fabulous! Something like the Tara Grinna Esmeralda Underwire Tankini with Adjustable Straps Style 112 offers a great print and cleavage enhancement, and paired with a simple bottom it does a great job of balancing the silhouette and making you look great!

Hope this helps! If you need more guidance, take a look at one of our blog posts from last August: Triangle Body Type? Swimsuits that Enhance Your Bust

And women of other body types, check out some of our other great posts to help you find the right look:

Reverse Triangle Body Type? Swimsuits that Flatter Your V-Line Shape
Round Body Type? Swimsuits that Accent Your Cleavage and Legs
Swimsuits that Conceal and Flatter the Tummy

A Pretty, Colorful, Lacy Bra
The jury is very mixed on whether visible bras are “ok” – but the fashion industry is clear that with a cute mesh or sheer shirt, a brightly-colored visible bra is cute, playful, sexy and totally acceptable. If you share that opinion and you’re brave enough to rock this style, you need a pretty, colorful, lacy bra to flash under your favorite fashions!

Curvy Kate offers some of our favorite lacy bras that will show to best advantage if you want something to peek out from under your favorite fashions. The Curvy Kate Portia Balconette Bra CK4001 features sheer cups with criss-cross overlay and colorful ribbons adorning the cup tops to add a trace of femininity. Or if you want a slightly different style or color combo, try the Curvy Kate Gia Balconette Bra CK2101 or the Curvy Kate Smoothie Balconnet Bra – both of which offer slightly different looks so you can tweak your style.

If you want to go a little fancier with your peek-a-boo bra, try one of our fabulous Prima Donna bra options. We love the Prima Donna Madison Underwire Bra 0162121, which comes in a vivid scarlet as well as a range of other options. Madison is an underwire bra with embroidered tulle and three-section cups to provide great shaping, a soft and feminine look, and a bit more opacity. Or try one of our other great Prima Donna bras – we’ve got a ton to choose from and they’d be perfect for this application!

Get the Same Effect with a Bikini Top Under a Sheer Coverup
Like the idea of the peek-a-boo bra, but don’t feel like you’ve got the fashion hutzpah to pull it off? Try a bikini top under a sheer coverup, instead! Bikini tops are made to be visible at the beach, so you don’t have to feel like you’re flashing your intimates when you rock a style featuring your favorite bikini top.

We love the Tara Grinna Florica Tunic Style 416, for example, if you’re contemplating going with this sexy strategy for your summer wardrobe. Florica is long-sleeved with a stunning v-neck and flattering side slits. Pair it with the Tara Grinna Florica Fixed Band Halter Bikini Swim Top Style 119, with the flattering hardware that will show through the v-neck top and a very enticing halter neckline, and you can enjoy the look of the peek-a-boo bra with styles that are absolutely designed for this type of wear. It’s a great compromise if you love the look but you’re a bit too modest to flash your bra.

Check out all of our swimsuit wrap styles and swimsuit tops to find the perfect combo!

What about you? What’s in your summer collection? Do you have a favorite trick or look that you can’t wait to wear when the weather gets warm?

What to Look for in a Swimsuit for Fitness Swimming
When you’re shopping for a swimsuit for exercising and fitness swimming, we recommend one-piece styles. With a one-piece, you don’t have to worry about the swimsuit riding up or shifting while you’re focused on improving your technique or refining your stroke – it’s hassle free. We also recommend higher-necked swimsuits with more coverage, so you don’t have to worry about a wardrobe malfunction while you’re stretching out to cover the most ground, or even doing bouncing and stretching warm-ups. Finally, look for wide, comfortable straps, and look for styles that won’t restrict your range of motion.

Freya Active One Piece Soft Suit 3182
The Freya Active One Piece Soft Suit 3182 is the perfect example of what to look for in a fitness swimsuit. This swimsuit is made for the active lifestyle and sport swimming! There’s a soft inner cup system with a crossover back and powernet back wings that deliver support without restricting your range of motion. The straps are soft and comfortable, and the classic cut looks great while you’re doing laps, stretching and getting in shape! It’s the perfect, simple one-piece suit for women who want to take to the pool to improve their fitness.

Tara Grinna Rosa High Neck Maillot with Keyhole Back One Piece Swimsuit Style 312
If you’re looking for something with a bit more style and coverage, consider the Tara Grinna Rosa High Neck Maillot with Keyhole Back One Piece Swimsuit Style 312. This flattering swimsuit has a high neck, ensuring you’ll never have to worry about a wardrobe malfunction or being ogled in the pool. The keyhole back is classy and flattering, with wide, comfortable straps that fasten securely in back to keep you comfortably in place. This swimsuit also features non-underwire cups so you don’t have uncomfortable pinching or restriction to your range of motion, making this one piece swimsuit perfect for sports and fitness swimming.

MiracleSuit Sideswipe Underwire Square Neck One Piece Style 472149W
Plus-size ladies, we haven’t forgotten you! MiracleSuit offers some great sport swimsuit styles in 8-16, but for the curvier woman, our top pick is the MiracleSuit Sideswipe Underwire Square Neck One Piece Style 472149W. This full-coverage one-piece swimsuit features a tank style that has a hidden underwire for support, so you won’t feel saggy and self-conscious at the pool. The simple cut and flattering side edging helps shape and flatter your figure, and this swimsuit comes in sizes from 16W to 24W.

What are you waiting for? Grab one of these great sport swimming swimsuits – or browse our one piece swimsuits to find a style that works for you – and get out there and get swimming!

Swimwear by Miraclesuit – Look 10 Pounds Lighter!
Miraclesuit swimwear has been some of our best-selling swimwear for years – and it’s easy to see why. The Miraclesuit motto is “Look 10 pounds lighter in 10 seconds” – their great swimsuits are designed to do just that! Miraclesuit offers dozens of great swimwear styles that use ruching, crossover designs and clever color blocking to hide and camouflage problem areas, and make you look and feel fitter. Some of our favorite Miraclesuit swimsuits are:

• MiracleSuit Rialto Sweetheart Camisole One Piece with Adjustable Straps Style 469560W – a fabulous design with ruching and gathers to make cleavage pop and enhance your waistline
• MiracleSuit Hamden Scoop Neck Underwire One Piece with Adjustable Straps Style 467950 – the color blocking helps create a waistline, and the scoop neck is really flattering!
• MiracleSuit Jena One Shoulder Wrap One Piece Style 467115 – the one-shoulder style combined with the wrap look is a great fashion-forward design – think fashion week at the beach!

With MiracleSuit, you really can’t go wrong, so check out our MiracleSuit swimwear to find the perfect swimsuit for you!

Magicsuit Swimsuits – Unleash the Magic of a Beautiful You!
Magicsuit swimsuits are similar to MiracleSuit, in that they use visually-slimming design techniques to create a svelte, fitter you! They also integrate innovative lycra spandex to provide tummy, hip and bootie control, minimizing the “jiggle” and helping you feel more confident and beautiful at the beach. Some of our favorite MagicSuit looks are:

• MagicSuit Jennifer Ruched Mid Halter One Piece Style 464924 – this great ruched one piece uses color blocking, tummy control panels and ruching to create a flattering style, and the retro neckline is great with the retro look back at the beach this summer!
• MagicSuit Rita 3 Tier V-Neck Tankini Top Style 465344 – the three-neck ruffle style helps delineate separate body zones – the bust, the waist and the hips – with flare and cuts designed to create an hourglass figure and disguise those extra few pounds
• MagicSuit Brianna Asymmetrical Neck with Underwire Tankini Top Style 464716 – the asymmetrical neckline creates a unique look and draws attention to your bust and shoulders without showing too much, and the slit down the side of the hip adds a hint of sex appeal while still providing hip coverage

There’s a MagicSuit swimsuit design to deal with every body issue, so browse our collection and stop feeling self-conscious about winter weight – or anything else!

Look for Swimsuits to Play Up Your Top Half
If you’re skinny, you’re going to want to choose swimsuits that play up your bust and your hips and booty, and show off your naturally svelte body elsewhere. How do you play up the top half?

Look for push-up styles in bold patterns – they’ll help you make the most of what you’ve got, and the bold patterns help create the appearance of more size. Triangle styles, bikinis with padding, underwires and ruffles also help highlight your assets. Some of our top picks for this body type include:

• Sunsets Separates Temptress Padded Halter Swimsuit Top Style 42T
• Tara Grinna Primrose Slider Halter Swimsuit Top Style PV-14

Why are these swimsuits so great for skinny chicks?

The padded halter by Sunsets Separates helps enhance your bust, and the halter can be customized to select as little or as much coverage as you want. The soft cups don’t look awkward, and you can remove them if you want less coverage. Halter styles are very flattering for women who are smaller on top, and the bold pattern draws the eye helps your chest seem more substantial.

The Tara Grinna Primrose halter has a lot of the same features, and it converts from triangle top to bandeau, letting you select the style you prefer. The bright pattern is great to draw the eye, the convertible style gives you some fun and unusual blocking options to create a flattering look.

Find Swimsuits That Enhance the Hips and Booty
The other thing you want is swimsuit bottoms that are designed to enhance your hips and booty. Hipster bottoms are a very flattering cut on skinny women, and skirt bottoms are great because they add more substance around the hips and booty, giving you a full, lush appearance and creating a waistline even if you lack natural curve there. Some of our top picks for this body type include:

• Aerin Rose Niwa Shirred Ruffle Swim Skirt Style 500
• Tara Grinna Esmeralda Skirted Swim Bottom with Drawstring Adjuster Style 232

These swim bottoms are perfect for slim women! The Aerin Rose skirted, ruffled swimsuit style adds dimension for the hips and booty, making you seem fuller and lusher in this region. The Tara Grinna skirted swim bottom offers a drawstring adjuster that’s a nice touch of detail, and lets you show off some leg while still defining a curve around the hips. Both of them hit at the widest point of your lower half, drawing the eye in a curvy shape even if you lack natural curve.

Skinny women, rejoice! Arm yourself with these fit tips to find a swimsuit that flatters this year – or go with one of our top picks and you’ll look great without even having to think about it!

With Spring Break here for the college students, and summer just around the corner for the rest of us – now is the time when many of us are looking for that killer new swimwear for the upcoming swim season. But when you drop a lot of cash on a swimsuit, you don’t want it to wear out, fade, get moldy or otherwise become un-wearable before its time! So how do you take care of a swimsuit to make it last longer and wear gently? Here’s what you need to know:

Rinse and Wash Your Swimwear (Gently!) After Every Use
Chlorine, saltwater and other pool and hot-tub chemicals can wreak havoc on your favorite swimsuit. Rinse your swimsuit with cold water after every use to help remove these caustic chemicals. For better results, hand-wash your swimwear with gentle soap (if it’s swimsuit-specific, even better!) in cold or luke warm water. Anything you can do to remove the chemicals after exposure to the pool, ocean, or even your suntan oil, will help extend the life of your swimsuit.

Never Leave a Wet Swimsuit Lying Around
For some of us, it may sound like common sense, but never leave a wet swimsuit lying around! If you have to take a swimsuit off and carry it home in a bag, wring it out as much as possible before you put it away. If you can let it air dry before throwing it in a bag, even better! If you don’t have time to let it dry, make sure you take it out as soon as possible. Wash it, if you can, or if you don’t have time for a wash, at least hang it to air dry. Wet swimsuits don’t take long to start stinking, and if you leave them wrapped up in a towel for a few days, they can get moldy. You won’t want to wear that the next time you go for a swim!

Look Out for Rough Surfaces
Surfaces around pools are intentionally rough to provide you with better traction when you’re wet. Unfortunately, these rough surfaces can catch at your swimsuit and cause it to pill, run or tear. Be careful where you sit or lean – take an extra moment to spread out a towel and you’ll preserve the life of your swimsuit.

Don’t Put Your Swimwear in a Clothes Dryer!
Never put your swimwear in a clothes dryer! The heat is bad for the types of materials with which most swimsuits are made. A clothes dryer can cause everything from shrinking to melting, and can ruin a swimsuit in a single use. Lay your swimsuit flat to dry, or if you need to speed up the process, hang it in front of a fan or in the sun to help it dry faster. If you dry it in the sun too often, though, the colors can fade, so try to dry it in a well-ventilated, shaded area when possible.

Start with High-Quality Swimwear and it’ll Last Longer
Cheap swimsuits are more likely to fade, stretch or pill with regular use. Start with high-quality swimwear, and it’ll last longer. Higher-quality fabrics and dies resist fading and stretching, and if you’re careful with your swimsuit, it’ll last you the season – and maybe the next few seasons, too!

Monokini
The biggest 2013 runway trend that’s sweeping the beaches this spring is the rise of the sexy monokini and one-piece swimsuits. With styles like the B. Swim Prowl Back It Up Monokini Style UL104, it’s easy to see why these designs are making big waves this spring break. The sexy side cutouts with strappy detailing highlights your hips and waistline, while covering enough to add a bit of mystery. The push-up cups give you a great shape, and the v-neck is extremely flattering with great cleavage. The back is barely there, with thin straps and the strappy detailing at the waist making this a truly sexy style. No wonder it’s one of the top picks for this year’s spring break swimsuit!

String Bikini
It’s hard to beat a classic, and the good old string bikini remains a spring break staple. Something like the B. Swim Blaze Beach Cruiser PushUp Swimsuit Top Style U60 is a great evolution on the classic triangle bikini top – and is perfect for your spring break wardrobe. This seamless halter triangle top is made with graduated push-up pads that give you a natural-looking push – and giving you killer cleavage. The slashed contrast neck tie, adjustable backslider and custom gold hook closure add nice detailing that makes this classic look a must-have for any bikini-baring beach babe for this spring break.

Retro, High-Waist Bikini
Retro is huge this year, too! We did an article earlier this week on starlets sporting retro styles, but now it’s officially hot in trends for spring break. Retro means different things for different people and brands, so here are a couple of ways you can rock the retro look in your own unique way:

First up is the B. Swim Love Bird Colorblock Vendetta Bandeau Swimsuit Top Style U39. This bandeau bikini top is fun sort of retro throwback with a flattering and eye-catching fringe design. The signature diamond push-up cups are removable, giving you a little boost if you want it or letting you go more natural if you’re not looking for extra shaping. The side strappy details, the strappy center gore and the cute halter strap make this a fun and flirty retro-style bikini top.

Another way to go retro is with the Tara Grinna Venia Retro Styled High Waisted Skirted Swimsuit Pant Style VE-222. High-waisted bikini bottoms are becoming increasingly popular as retro styling takes the swimwear world by storm, and the ruching and the flirty skirty bottom hem flounce take this high-waisted bottom solidly into the world of fun and playful. The full back coverage is also great if you’re a little self-conscious, or if you just hate swimsuits that you’re constantly having to adjust when they creep.

Which is your favorite spring break swimsuit fad for this year?

First up is Selena Gomez, sporting a retro red swimsuit at a video shoot yesterday. She accessorized the 60’s inspired outfit with cat-eye shades, kitten heels and big hair. Doesn’t she make it look glam? Whether this is for a music video, or just for fun, we love it – it’s a great example of how women can look sexy and fabulous without baring all!

The retro doesn’t stop there, though! Tina Fey, 30 Rock star and comedienne, was spotted last week playing poolside with her adorable baby girl in an awesome retro polka dotted swimsuit. Polka dots have been back for years, and this cute retro style shows that even a mom can be hot, fun and playful with this flattering fashion trend!

Have you spotted any other starlets recently sporting retro swimwear? Are you going retro this swim season?

Retro Swimsuit Tops, Retro One Piece Swimsuits and Retro Swimsuit Bottoms
If you’re looking for a cute tankini like Tina Fay’s fun swimsuit top, try something like the Tara Grinna Atala Halter Tankini Swimsuit Top Style AA-129. It features the same halter style, and a fun variation on paisley that matches the period feel with a modern twist.

Or if you want a great one-piece swimsuit, the Tara Grinna Avox Twist Front Tankini Swimsuit Style VO-158 is similar to the retro one-piece that Selena Gomez sported in her shoot yesterday. The skirted style offers a little more thigh coverage, but this flattering look is cute and sexy and another great update on a retro style!

Want a fun and playful retro bottom? Go for something like the Tara Grinna Retro Styled High Waisted Skirted Swimsuit Pant Style VO-222. This great swim bottom features a retro high waist, and ruching detail that’s a throwback to some of the great retro swimsuit. The skirty bottom hem flounce and the full back coverage shows your derriere at its most flattering without showing anything, providing the coverage you’d expect from a retro style.

Browse all of our great swimsuits to find your new retro swim look, and be the first of your friends to show that you’re finger’s on the pulse by jumping on the retro trend for this year!

We recently asked our fans and shoppers for their top tips and tricks for bra and swimsuit shopping, and one universal truth arose: a lot of women HATE swimsuit shopping because it’s practically impossible to find something that fits! Do you find yourself leaving stores in a huff because nothing fit? Or practically breaking into tears in the dressing room because everything you try on seems to make you look and feel as unflattering as possible? It turns out, you’re not alone! Plenty of other women have similar shopping experiences. Try checking your stress at the door this swimsuit shopping season with these great tips!

1. Check Your Size
Did you know that something like 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size? Maybe you’re having a hard time finding swimsuits that fit properly because you’re going on an outdated notion of what your size actually is! We’ve recently redesigned our bra fit guidelines to help make it easier than ever to figure out what size you need. Stop guessing, and shop for a bra size swimsuit that will actually fit your body! Even if you think you know your size, measure yourself and take a look at our fit guidelines to see if you need to make a size adjustment.

2. Browse By Size
Here at Big Girls Bras, we want to make it super easy for you to find the size you’re looking for. When you’re browsing our swimsuits, you can actually use the left nav bar to browse by size! Click on “Shop by Bra Size” or “Shop by Size” to select your size. Then you’ll only see swimsuits that come in your size, so you won’t have to wade through endless options only to find that they don’t come in your size!

(Also, quick tip from experience: if you find that you’re different sizes on top and bottom, two-piece swimsuit separates are a lifesaver! Get the size you need on top, and size the bottom separately! This doesn’t just work for bikinis; you can get some great tankini swimsuit styles that offer the coverage of a one-piece swimsuit but the perfect fit of something tailored just for your body!)

3. Look for Fits that will Flatter Your Body
This one is slightly more difficult, because it’s a bit more subjective, but: look for swimsuit fits that will flatter your body! Different brands fit in different ways, even with the same sizing, so try different brands until you find a fit that flatters your body. Be realistic about your body shape and what styles will look best on you, and focus on those styles. If you need help figuring it out, check out our Fitting and Sizing blog posts for tips, or sign up to get our Awesome Emails and get our free “Hard-to-Fit No More!” guide that will help you find styles to fit and flatter your body type!

4. Try Not to Take it Personally or Dwell on the Negative!
Finally, we all get frustrated when we try on swimsuits that we love on the hanger, but just don’t look right when we put them on. Try not to take it personally or dwell on the negative! Our bodies are all different, and what the designer had in mind when he or she created a particular style or fit might be perfect for someone else, but may not work as well for you. So just keep looking until you find the swimsuit designed for your body, and don’t take it to heart. Just because a swimsuit you love doesn’t really work for you doesn’t mean the perfect swimsuit isn’t out there! Keep trying, and try to enjoy the shopping experience – think of it as an adventure instead of letting it stress you out!

Jordan Taylor Swim Diamond Texture Zip Up Hoody
Hoodies have become such a common feature in everyday life, and now you can bring them to the beach, too, with this Jordan Taylor Swim Diamond Texture Zip Up Hoody Style DT8102! This hoodie-style cover up has a zip front closure that makes it easy to slip it on and off, and it’s made of diamond weave fabric that offers great airflow for a hot summer day, but still keeps the sun off and provides a bit of coverage! This sleeveless style is fun and sexy and full of personality – pair it with your favorite new Jordan Taylor swimsuit to complete your look!

Jordan Taylor Swim Essence Empire Flutter Dress
Empire dresses offer great silhouettes for those of us who are apple-shaped, or even a little hippy – they create a faux waistline just under the bust at the smallest part of the body, and flow and flutter down creating a flattering silhouette! This Jordan Taylor Swim Essence Empire Flutter Dress Style EE082 is my personal favorite, taking advantage of this great shape to create a figure-flattering dress-style coverup you’ll feel sexy wearing at the pool or beach. The deep v-neck gives you a dramatic look, and the soft flutter skirt gives it movement and personality, making it a truly fun but feminine and even a little bit elegant swimsuit coverup! The short sleeves offer shoulder protection if you’ll be out in the sun, and this is a style I can’t get enough of!

Jordan Taylor Swim Boa Mesh V-Neck Tie Back Cover Up
Peek-a-boo! This great Jordan Taylor Swim Boa Mesh V-Neck Tie Back Cover Up Style BM888 is a fabulous semi-opaque swimsuit coverup that hints at your swimsuit beneath, and gives you a super-sexy look! The subtle snake print gives it a unique look, and the deep v-neckline hits an empire waist skirt that flatters any body type! The mid-thigh length shows off your gorgeous legs while still providing moderate coverage – this is a great coverup if you want to show just a bit, but not too much!

Jordan Taylor Swim Gofret 3 Quarter Sleeve Shirt Tail Tunic
Looking for something that provides a little more coverage? Try the Jordan Taylor Swim Gofret 3 Quarter Sleeve Shirt Tail Tunic Style GF076. This fabulous swimsuit coverup features three-quarter sleeves that add a little more elegance and sophistication, and the shirt tail style is fun and sexy, reminiscent of wearing his shirt back in the early days of sleepovers and staying in for the night! The deep v-neckline shows off your swimsuit (and your cleavage!) and the tunic style, paired with an empire waist, is a flattering look on fuller-figured women. Mesh fabric is semi-opaque, depending on the light, but offers plenty of coverage!

Do you love these as much as we do? These great Jordan Taylor swimsuit coverups and wraps barely scratch the surface – browse our complete Jordan Taylor beach coverup collection to view all the great styles from our newest swim brand!