I personally think prints are a great way to detract from the rest of your figure as people are so consumed with evaluating whether or not they like the suit.  I’ll talk a little about body type and styles here, but you can also read this article for more style advice on which swimwear is best for your body-type.  This brightly-colored batik printed string bikini is really cute.  With the adjustable sides, I’m hoping it won’t dig into my hip area too much.  Sometimes if those scoop bottoms are cut wrong, they give you that bulge at the waist.   Yuck.  Mara Hoffman makes some adorable swimwear.  Check out this geometric multicolored bandeau/boy-short bikini combo.  The boy-short, plus the bold print, are known to detract from problem areas.  I also like this lime green checkered bikini from Betsey Johnson.  The ruffled bandeau is super-cute, and her stuff usually fits me pretty well, so I’m willing to bet I’m not going to have a problem with the scoop bottom.  I really like the teal and paisley print on this underwire ring top and scoop bikini bottom, and since tye-die is in this season, why not a bikini?  The halter top actually has an underwire hidden inside.  Looks cute with a scoop bottom.   

You really can never go wrong with black.  I personally think it’s a must-have in anyone’s swimwear collection.  It’s slimming, sexy, and still hides problem areas.  The gold glitter diamond pattern in this mix-and-match set give a little something extra to an LBB (that’s my lingo for Little Black Bikini).  Did you ever wish your swimwear could have the same effect on you as Spanx?  Well, now it can!  They actually make swimwear WITH Spanx in them.  How genius is that???  And it’s actually stylish enough to wear, as you can see with this SPANX “All The Wave” bikini.  I so love this embellished monokini by Cynthia Rowley.  To be honest, the monokini confuses me.  It looks good, but I really don’t want a tan line down my abdomen.  That being said, this suit is so cute, I’m contemplating trying it out.

So maybe it’s because I am looking to hide some problem areas, that I’ve started revisiting one-pieces.  I’m generally not a one-piece fan, but I have to say, the ones I found are stylish.  This one by Nicole Miller has a fun colorful print to it, plus I like the mid-back strap closure (never been a fan of the open back one-pieces); although I’d caution that this would not be a good swimsuit if you’re pear shaped.  I also like the racerback and zipper front on this kaleidoscope printed one.  For a sold color, this pastel color block strapless suit looks like its thick enough so there’s no see-through risk.  Kind of reminds me of a paired down surfing bodysuit.

What to Wear: Hottest Swimsuits for Summer 2010 is a post from: Violet Revolution

A: I’d recommend dresses with an A-line shape to flatter a curvy figure.  A-line dresses have a higher waist and more room at the hip, so they accentuate a tiny waist, helping it to look even tinier while making hips look slimmer.  I don’t think these picks below show off too much leg, and would be great with either a flat or heeled sandal to dress up or down.  The last dress has been seen worn on Kim Kardashian, who’s known for her curvy figure (I’m sure you didn’t me to tell you that), so if it works for her, it can work for you too. 

from L to R:

Akira Herringbone Ruffle Tier Dress

2 Sisters Denim Top Chifon Skirt Strapless Dress

Tula Antik Batik Magenta Print Dress (love the belt detail on this one)

Handle With Care Mara Hoffman Ikat Dress

Q&A: Best Dress for Curvy Figure? is a post from: Violet Revolution

Let’s start with the dangerous territory first.  I personally think this candy striped cardigan is so adorable, especially with the ruffled button front.  However, unless you’re on the ultra- thin side, this may not be the best option.  It’s quite fitted, so if you have a wider torso or some love handles you’re trying to hide, this is only going to make it worse.  Plus, unless it’s made with enough material in the chest area, the stripes and buttons are going to pull too much across a larger rack, making it look like it’s too small.  (I personally can’t stand when button-down shirts pull between the buttons at the chest area.)  At first glance, this ruffle layer striped jacket is so cute; and personally, I’d buy it.  Being it is not fitted like the cardigan, it would hide imperfections around the waist and minimize the bust as no hugging is involved.  Plus the additional detail at the collar and shoulders draws the eye upward.  However, it is cropped above the waist, so it will only accentuate a wide torso. 

These next few are what I like to call coin tosses, as it’s just going to depend on how it looks on, unfortunately.  That’s one nice benefit of a local boutique – trying on before purchasing.  This strapless, casual perfect-for-the-beach dress seems figure flattering as the stripes are on the bottom vs. the top (which would have been hideous).  Also, since the dress is A-line and not fitted, the stripes could work.  However, based on the backside view,  the stripes might make your butt look wider.  Just depends on the fit.  Warning: If the dress is tight across your lower half, abandon purchase immediately.  Same with this half-stripe, half-solid plum tank dress.  If you’re slim on top and trying to hide the bottom half, this dress should work because the black solid bottom will hide flaws.  However, it also depends how tall you are, where the hemline hits, and your thighs.  If you have larger thighs and the bottom is stretching across them, it wasn’t meant to.  See warning above.  Also,  if the drawstring waist cannot be pulled in enough and it lays too loose, the waist won’t be defined and it might make you look wide all over.

These next few are best bets if you like stripes but are leery about how they might look.  This black and white striped poncho is nice because it’s loose fitting (so it can hide more flaws) and the stripes are sparing.  I would definitely pair it with skinny jeans or leggings as shown on the model; otherwise, there’s just too much volume going on.  If you like the loose fit, another option would be this sheer oversized lace stripe pattern tee.  You can wear a dark, solid tank underneath to show off your true shape (unless that is what you’re looking to hide, then go with the poncho).  This stripe top jersey dress is similar to the plum striped one I mentioned above; although I think the solid parts peeking through the cowl neckline and slim pencil skirted bottom give it a more slimming effect.  Plus the sleeves hide problem areas on the upper arm.  Finally, this print stripe combo vesthas a floral pattern around the waist, giving it a curvy look (really great if you are trying to hide some love handles).  Like the lace sheer tee, you can wear a fitted tank to offset the volume of the vest (providing it’s only the sides you’re looking to camoflauge).

Even for you stripe-haters out there, a stripe accessory or two can’t hurt and can’t alter your figure.  For some reason, hats with stripes are really in right now, so take your pick: an oversized hat for the beach (perfect with a solid, sexy bikini!) or a trendy fedora.  I’m not sure if having a striped scarf could make your neck look wider, but this navy striped one is cute if you’re going for a preppy look.  Possibly the most slimming striped item you could own is a striped handbag.  After all, it’s the handbag that will look bigger, not you. 

Do you incorporate stripes in your wardrobe?  Would you buy anything striped this season?  Share a pic of your favorite outfit with stripes, or share your thoughts!

What to Wear: How to Wear Horizontal Stripes Without Looking Fat is a post from: Violet Revolution

A: Well the good news is if you are looking to camoflauge the bottom half, having a larger bust will help draw the eye upward.  It sounds like even though you are pear-shaped, you are still comfortable wearing a typical bikini bottom. If you were more uncomfortable with showing too much on the bottom, try out a skirt or boyshort. Otherwise, stick with either a dark, solid bottom with a printed top or a subtle print for both pieces. You don’t want to wear an obnoxious print on the lower half as that will only draw more attention there. I’d also stick with a bottom that has tie sides. Usually these offer a little less coverage, which seems ironic, but you are able to adjust the sides to fit you best, so you don’t have that “digging” effect on the lower behind or at the hip, which can happen with a regular scoop bottom. 

As for the top, a halter or an underwire bikini top will provide more coverage and support vs. a bandeau. But be careful here: Halter tops come in 3 varieties: 1) string 2) what I like to call “string-simulated” which is when you have a 1″ band of material vs. the string and usually there’s back closure vs. a tie (but not always) and 3) thick banded, which is a 2″-3″ band of material under the halter cup. I personally would opt for the string with a larger cup and thicker straps that come up around the neck, like this Trina Turk one from Londo Mondo (it even says it’s for a D cup) vs. option 2 and sometimes option 3. Why? I find that once the suit gets wet or after walking around, you start to shift and “sink” because the band around your abdomen becomes less fitted vs. how it was originally. To me, the string seems to hug your ribcage tighter, but finding a large enough string top is key, as otherwise you’re popping out the sides and middle.  This one by Lucky is great because you can get the fuller coverage on top, plus choose between a low-rise tie bottom or higher rise tie-bottom.  What I love about either bottom piece, is that the material is darker and solid in the back — perfect for hiding what you want to hide.   

If you were smaller on top or had an athletic build, the bandeau, a smaller triangle top. or top with push-up/padding are great for you. You could also do a monokini like this one from Londo Mondo (click on picture for more details),

which is quite popular these days. And if you were trying to hide the mid-section, a tankini is the way to go.

Good luck!

Q&A: Which swimwear styles work with my body type? is a post from: Violet Revolution

If you’re trying to hide a few pounds, dresses are an ideal solution, especially for problem areas on the lower half.   Choose an A-Line dress (which is a dress that has an “A” shape, aka the dress progressively widens as you get to the bottom) with an empire waist (which is where the seam starts just under the bust line vs. at the waist) or some additional detail at the waist to conceal the tummy area.  This red scoop neck dress is a combination of both, and a great dress to wear casually or to work with a sweater or blazer.  The empire waist begins under the bust line, but then has pleated layers along the waist, helping to conceal any problem areas, and then the skirted part flows outward into an A-line shape.  A dress with an empire waist will start to cut away and flow outward from the seam leaving room at the waistline and hip, like this adorable circle dress.  The criss-cross V-neckline will draw the eye upward, and the assortment of hand-cut circles will also conceal problem areas.   Same with this v-neck appliqué dress – the v-neck will draw the eye upward; the detail at the skirt bottom will draw the eye downward, keeping the focus away from the middle. 

If you’re trying to hide the upper area more, a tunic shaped top or dress is the way to go.  The webbed, longer sleeves on this gathered front tee hides the upper arm, the gathering in the center and looser fit at the waist also hides the tummy area.  Prints are also good for hiding flaws.  This plaid tunic blouse does just that, plus I like how the scarf cowl neck draws the eye to the neckline.  I also like how it tapers in a little at the waistline, but is still loose enough overall.

Another flaw hiding trick is to incorporate a cardigan or blazer to create a lengthening and slimming effect.  This drapey, twist bottom cardigan will make you look longer and leaner while hiding the waist and hip.  If it’s too unfitted for you, or if you want to hide your hips but not your waist, try adding a cute belt to create a cinched-in waistline.   If you feel blazers are only for work, even though you hear time and again how they are a must-have for any wardrobe; take a look at how this basic blazer is worn casually with a tank and jeans.   

For some help on the bottom half try this double-layered button front skirt.  The great thing about this skirt is that you get the look of a shorter skirt, but the additional layer hanging lower on the sides conceals the thigh more, giving more coverage and making them look slimmer.  For denim, stick with dark colors, and a boot, straight, or flare leg vs. skinny or cigarette to draw less attention to the hip and thigh area.  This dark boot cut pair is a perfect example, plus AG’s cuts tend to be more generous in the behind area, so you shouldn’t have that problem where you can’t get the jeans up past your legs.  (It’s ok, we’ve all been there.)

What to Wear: "Flaw" Hiding Outfits is a post from: Violet Revolution

A: Typically boot cut or flared jeans tend to give a slimmer, longer look. You don’t want them to be too tight so it looks like you’re spilling out of them, but not too loose as that will make you look bigger. Some stretch in the material is good to help them fit better & keep their shaped as you wear them or after you launder them. I take it you are on the shorter side, so be leery of capris or big cuffs as they’ll give the illusion that your leg is even shorter. For example, this pair is really cute, but if you are short, they are just going to make your entire leg look boxy. You would need to hem them and keep them unrolled. Another tip that will help you look slimmer is to buy darker colors (we always look slimmer in black!). Finally, make sure the pockets in the back aren’t too small, and sit lower on your rear, which will make your behind appear slimmer. You can see how this pair’s pockets are large and end just below the rear.

Q&A: Slimming Jeans is a post from: Violet Revolution