Brenda,
Thanks for your question. I have two different suggestions to address pear shape figures. The first is indeed the skirted bottom. This style is great for camouflaging hip and butt trouble areas.

My second suggestion may surprise you; one of the best ways to even out a pear shaped figure is to go the opposite direction from a skirted style. I often recommend higher leg lines for customers with fuller hips and thighs. The higher the leg line the longer (and slimmer) the legs appear. Always remember that creating triangles on your body (V-necklines, higher-cut legs) helps to make the body appear longer. This trick can help to balance the bottom and top of your body and create the eternally sought after “hourglass”.

Just a reminder that being a "10" is more about how you feel than how you look! Be sure that your swimsuits fit properly and make you feel fabulous. Don’t comprimise and don’t skimp on the “outfit”. Completing your look with the compliment of the perfect cover ups and accessories will make you feel “pulled together” and help to bolster your confidence at the beach.

Enjoy the Beach!

~Bridget

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Originally posted by yepthatsme2:
Hi Bridget,

My bathing suit has been around for 3 years now...hardly ever wear it.
This year we will be spending time at the beach, so I want to be a a #10 out there. OK...close to a 10.
Last bathing suit was 2 piece, skirted bottom.
Have the shape of a pear...to much at the bottom.
What's going to draw attention away from the fat legs and thighs?

Help.

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[ January 18, 2006, 12:53 PM: Message edited by: Bridget Quinn Stickline ]

Thanks Bridget...will try the higher leg suit.
Do like the idea of the sarong, that Nancy mentioned.

Dear TVC15,
This is a good question. First off I would not give up on the 2 piece just yet. Depending on the placement of your stretch marks there are many bottoms offered in the market that give more tummy coverage without abandoning the styles that you love. I would suggest trying Mix and Match separates specifically Sunsets Separates if you are able to track them down. Sunsets offers a terrific full coverage V-waist pant. This style is perfect for emphasizing the waist while offering good coverage. The nice thing about separates is that you can chose from multiple different styles and you can buy different sizes in tops and bottoms to create the perfect fit.

If a 1 piece is still in the cards your timing is perfect because there is a trend at the moment towards 40’s inspired styles. You may remember the Vanity Fair cover that featured the Desperate Housewives in dramatic swimwear. That look is hot in 1 pieces right now and happens to be great for creating the appearance of fuller bust lines and curves. Look for styles with shirring at the bust and waist to help you get that “pin-up” look. Happy shopping!


~Bridget

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Originally posted by TVC15:
Welcome Bridget! Glad you are here!
I have a boyish figure. Tall, thin, not much in the curve department. I used to wear a bikini when I was young and that helped to break things up but I have awful stretch marks on my stomach now and wouldn't dare wear anything so revealing. What style would you suggest for me?

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Just name the date Dotsie! I am looking forward to it.

~Bridget

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Originally posted by Dotsie:
Ladies, thanks for jumping in. Bridget will be back.

I met her at an open house at Water, Water Everywhere. Fortunately, she lives in my town so I am going to have her fit me in a suit.

I should do it this month so I can tell you all about it.

I wonder if they have any type of stocking to cover the cellulite. Wouldn' that be awesome?

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Thank you so much for the advice Bridget.
I appreciate it and will look for the styles you've suggested.

Diamond,
That is actually not true. Often this misconception causes women to buy a suit that is completely the wrong size. If you buy your swimsuit too big you will not be realizing the benefits of the bra construction or the control elements of the fabric. What causes this myth to continue is that often swimsuits are too short in the torso causing women to think they are too small. Note that you do not have to be tall to be longer than the standard swimsuit torso length. I have had many long torso customers that were 5'0. The other factor that impacts what size swimsuit you buy is your bust size.

You should be at your pants size in a swimsuit, you may size up or down slightly between swimwear designers. Swimsuits should fit tight at the elastic (leglines, bust) but should not dig into your shoulder or pull your bust down. If you find that you often buy swimsuits much larger than your pants size try a long torso line like Longitude or Take Control. You can also try tankini styles that will offer you more flexibility in length. If you feel that your bust size is causing you to size up look for cup sized swimwear like Coco Reef Separates, Jag Separates, Miraclesuit Separates, Sunsets Separates, or Anne Cole Locker Separates.

Remember that each swimsuit is not created equal. If you are a D-cup long torso trying on a line that runs small in the bust and short in the torso no amount of sizing up is going to make that suit work as well on you as a line that is intended for your body type. Whenever possible shop in a specialty environment where the associates know their product. Feel free to send any specific questions and I can recommend designer lines that will best fit your needs.

~Bridget

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Originally posted by diamond50:
Someone told me that swimsuits should always be
bought two sizes larger than your usual size.
How true is that?

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Nancy,
I'd love to know what brands you bought. I am sorry that swimwear shopping is so traumatic for women. It makes me envious of men...on the beach with their big hairy bellies shining in the sun, happy as can be. Something is wrong with this picture!

~Bridget

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Originally posted by AvalonBlondi:
Ok Girls..I'm thoroughly depressed today...I went out Bathing Suit (UGH, Yuck, Cough , Choke, Gag) shopping today out of necessity...my kids have given my Hubby and me a trip to the Caribbean for our 30th Anniversary..I have been putting off this shopping trip forever...anyway...I did it...and after trying on about 20 suits I reluctantly bought 3...2 black and one brown (which the saleswoman told me is the "new Black" this year...is it just me or are the lights in store dressing rooms unreasonably harsh?? my skin looked Green!!!!I think they should have candle light in bathing suit dressing rooms for goodness sakes...in any event...I bought nice flowy gaucho pants for one suit and long sarongs for the other 2...the thought of walking around in just a bathing suit was a little more than I could bear...hopefully no one will be looking when I slip intto the water and out of the sarong...I intend to leave it right by the edge of the pool....Gravity has become my mortal enemy...everything seems to be heading south!!!

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Sarongs are great. Drop your sarong knot directly under your belly button to create more of a defined waistline.

~Bridget

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Originally posted by yepthatsme2:
Thanks Bridget...will try the higher leg suit.
Do like the idea of the sarong, that Nancy mentioned.

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My question........what do you do with all the loose skin after you've lost 60 lbs.?
All I have left is a roll around the middle and a tummy. Working on getting those down.
My thighs look horrible at the top because of all the loose skin, so I have a skirt on my black bathing suit, but the roll and tummy are still there.
Is there anything that is in a bathing suit that will help hide the "middle"?
Thanks Bridget.
P.S. I have a feeling you're going to tell me to purchase a sarong?

Bridget, I just tried your suggestion for tying the Sarong and dropping the knot directly under my belly button...it REALLY made a difference..I always wore them above my waistline with the knot on the side and there was no definition to my shape...just a coverup being a coverup...you really know your stuff!!! so...Thank You!!

Also...here are the brands I bought...
La Blanca
Anne Klein
Miracle Suit
All 3 have highcut legs...now all I have to do is go next Friday before we leave and get an airbrush tan...this will be a first for me..but I couldn't bear the thought of baring pale white flesh ...who was it that said..."Vanity...thy name is woman" ...what more can I say ?