The key to a perfect fit:
Identify your body shape
(ARA) - The key to swimwear shopping is to focus on the positives first. Every woman, no matter what her body shape, has favorite features whether it's her shapely shoulders or her long legs. A woman should seek out a suit that brings attention to her assets. A simple test when trying on suits is to look away from the swimsuit and look back again. "Where were my eyes drawn to first?" If this is the area she'd like to accentuate, she's one step closer to finding the perfect suit.
What's your body shape?
When 1,000 women were asked if they knew their body shape in a recent survey commissioned by Lands' End, 73 percent said yes. However, only 13 percent said they used a tape measure to determine their shape. Taking the time to measure key body parts - bust, waist, hips, torso - can help a woman determine her body type. With her body shape in mind, a woman can choose a style and silhouette that helps create the illusion of balance. Balance is when the body looks proportionate - the shoulders/bust are similar in size to the hips. When a body appears to be in proportion or looks balanced, the figure is enhanced.
To help women select suits that most flatter their figures, Lands' End assigns figure icons to each suit. Suits get a star rating when they have features that flatter any body shape. Women can use these icons as a guide, easing the struggle in finding the best suit for them. Following are descriptions of the Lands' End icons along with some tips that bring out the best in women of all shapes and sizes:
INVERTED TRIANGLE - shoulders and/or bust are wider than hips.
Try a skirted suit or a two-piece suit with shorts to add volume to the lower half of your body to balance the top.
- Look for a suit that offers good support and coverage. Suits sized by bra cup offer a better fit.
HOURGLASS - balanced hip and shoulder width, and a defined waist.
- Highlight your waistline with a two-piece suit.
- Try all-over prints which keep the eye moving and draw attention from top to bottom.
RECTANGLE - balanced hip and shoulders measurement, no defined waist.
- Pay attention to special detailing and patterns that define the waist, like a cummerbund or pattern detail.
- Look for a suit with tummy control or one made of Slendertex fabric.
TRIANGLE - hips are wider than shoulders and/or bust.
- Remember that deeper shades on the bottom are visual minimizers, while lighter shades or designs on top draw the eye upward.
- Shop for suits with attention-getting details like front zippers to bring the eye upward.
CIRCLE - balanced hip and shoulder width, wider midriff.
- Look for suits with tummy control to smooth midriff and provide supportive control.
- Vertical lines slim the torso and create the illusion of height.
The secret of styling
The last thing a woman should focus on, which too often is the first, is the area she'd like to downplay. Learning how to camouflage and de-emphasize these areas are made easier today with the wide selection of silhouettes, fabrics and styling offered by Lands' End. For instance, halter necklines and patterns on the bodice draw the eye up, away from the hips. Textured fabric like nylon and spandex faille with its vertical ribbing elongates the torso and smoothes out the extra curves.
For those who bypassed the gym this winter, look for a suit with tummy control or one made of special fabric like Lands' End's Slendertex. Exclusive to Lands' End, Slendertex is constructed of 69% nylon/31% Lycra spandex and gives the illusion of shedding 10 pounds. 
Courtesy of Article Resource Association, www.aracopy.com, e-mail: info@aracopy.com
