Pretty Women Blog

Bikini Swimsuits

The bikini was invented by Louis Reard and Jacques Heim, in Paris in 1946. However, due to its skimpiness, hardly anyone had the courage to wear a bikini until the late 1950s, when actress Brigitte Bardot created a splash by wearing a bikini in the film, ‘And God Created Woman.’ The bikini revolution subsequently became a rage, and even got its own song: ‘Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.’

Coming back to the present, bikinis have become modest in character. Bikini bottoms are offering more coverage than in the past without giving up on their sex appeal. Last season witnessed straight, top-line bikini bottoms. Surprisingly, there were hardly any deep-V bikini bottoms, thongs or G-strings in sight. With more coverage in style, fashion houses are predicting that the ‘skirtini’ is going to be the next big thing in the swimsuit industry.

Bikinis come in a variety of styles, the most popular being ‘Tankini’ (a longer top that leaves only a small portion of the stomach exposed), ‘Bandini’ (a bikini with a bandeau top), ‘Camikini’ (similar to the tankini except the top looks like a camisole), and ‘Boy Legs’ (the bottom is longer and resembles short shorts). The classic halter-top, however, is still in vogue although the ‘Bandini’ was the hippest bikini style last season, with almost every swimwear label producing its own take on it. For the ties that bind, sashes, rather than spaghetti strings, were in demand.

For those on the heavier side, sarongs continue to be a flattering way to cover up the extra pounds.

Here are are few tips on choosing your bikini.

FULL BOTTOM: (Hips & thighs are larger than the bust)
BEST STYLE: Skirted suits and strapless styles. Eye-catching tops draw attention upward.

FULL BUSTED: (Broad or large in bust area)
BEST STYLE: Higher neckline or built-in bra for support. Tankinis are ideal. Halters also work well; they support, hold up bust & flatter your figure.

FULL CENTER: (Round figure, not much definition to the figure)
BEST STYLE: Bottoms should have high cut legs; will make you look longer, leaner. Enhancing bust with underwire or padded top will make your waist look smaller giving the illusion of more of an hour glass. Vertical lines or shapes that angel up or down also “lengthen” the body.

HOUR GLASS: (Shapely, small waist, larger hips & bust)
BEST STYLE: You are one of the few fortunate ones. You have a
variety of choices. Most anything looks good on you.

LONG & SLENDER: (Curveless)
BEST STYLE: Florals, prints and stripes give the illusion of curves.

SMALL BUST: Petite or muscular chests
BEST STYLE: Tops with underwire & padding offer a “Cleavage” look. Sweetheart, V-neck or scoop necklines enhance the bust line also.

LARGE STOMACH: Rounded or protruding upper and/or lower abdomen
BEST STYLE: Camouflage it with floral prints or vertical stripes. If you’re small busted also, wear an underwire or padded top to enhance your bust and make your figure appear more evened out. Higher cut legs also give you the appearance of looking longer and leaner. Higher waist bottoms or full bottoms with higher cut legs are great; they give the illusion of a flatter stomach. Tankini tops are a good way to cover the stomach area.

THICK THIGHS: Extra muscular or very large upper legs
BEST STYLE: No boy-leg bottoms; they make your legs look stocky. Instead, try a bottom with a high waist and high cut legs to make the legs appear longer and leaner.

ATHLETIC BODY: Broad shoulders & small bust, muscular arms & legs
BEST STYLE: Padded top gives appearance of cleavage. Asymmetrical necklines & midriff cutaways distract attention from broad shoulders & long torso.