Archive for the ‘Fit’ Category

Puckered Stitching Adds Backside Definition

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

Bikini Fitting Advice

Puckered stitching is a hot, new trend seen more and more these days.  Often called a “scrunch” bikini, it gets its name from placement of strategic puckered stitching which can enhance particular areas by creating more dramatic curves.  For example, in the bikini seen above the puckered stitch down the backside of the bikini bottom helps the fabric to nicely hug her natural curves.  The contour detailing gives the appearance of lift and definition to the rear while the high-cut back show off your sexy cheeks, too.

With a bikini bottom that fits this closely, take extra care to follow sizing instructions from the designer.  Improper fit can ruin even the best bikini designs!  Too big, and it will slide around on you.  Too small, and it will pinch into you creating unsightly little bulges.  Ensuring the fabric lays nicely flat against your skin will help alleviate both of these pesky problems.

Pucker Up!

Monday, July 19th, 2010

Most of us are pretty familiar with the drooping bikini bottom.  It happens.  It's almost inevitable.  Bikinis start to lose their elasticity, get stretched out and the next thing you know, your bottoms are hanging off you when you step out from the water.  There's the awkward adjusting and hope that no one saw anything but we get over it and move on.  If you're tired of having this happen you'll be happy to hear someone finally did something about it.  The pucker bikini (also called the ruched bikini or scrunchie bikini or pucker butt bikini or any variation of those terms) features a distinct puckered stitching down the back.  The extra material has been gathered up and stitched together so that there's no extra fabric to hang down.  It also helps to give your butt a some shape by showing off your curves.  The pucker bikini is one of the newest trends to hit the beach so if you're tired to having to fix your bikini all the time, you should definitely give this pucker style a try.

Slim and Trim In a Ruched Bottom

Monday, June 14th, 2010

If you haven't yet discovered the wonders of ruching, you've been missing out on a design technique that works small miracles.  Ruching is the gathered effect that results from bunching up and stitching together fabric.  It kind of looks like the clothing has been hiked up and you want to pull it down to smooth out the bumps and wrinkles.  What the gathering does, however, is create a texture that hides any lumps or bulges of your own. Ruching, in fact, if extremely forgiving. Think about it, if you have a smooth bikini bottom, that body hugging fabric is just going to accent any concerns you might have. So if you're concerned about looking as svelte as a bikini model, try on a bottom that has a ruched effect.  This wide width of fabric on the bottom show here also helps too – it hugs your hips to help flatter your figure while also offering more coverage.

Accessorize Your Bikini the Right Way

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Like any other fashion ensemble, we all want to accessorize our bikinis.  However, accessorizing does not mean strolling the beach in 5 inch heels and over the top jewelry that would make Harry Winston jealous.  Depending on the style of bikini, you may want to wear a simple necklace or bracelet.  Forget anything that could be destroyed by water, such as a watch or leather accent.  Cute sunglasses always look great but in the sand, flat, open toe shoes are really the only appropriate option.

There are some instances when it is acceptable to dress it up a little.  If you happen to be attending a swanky pool party where you will be walking primarily on a hard surface, fancy heels are perfectly acceptable and incredibly sexy.  This type of event is more for the purpose of showing off than swimming.  It is also fine to choose a sparkling necklace, which will draw attention to that fabulous cleavage displayed in your triangle top.    Keep in mind, however that this is the only time that evening shoes and jewelry should be combined with swimwear.  False eyelashes and Jimmy Choo sandals at your local beach will be uncomfortable and ridiculous looking.

As you can see, the model at left is immersed in water and wears a lovely, but practical shell necklace. It coordinates with her bikini, but is simple and will not be harmed by the water.  Though the model at right wears an elaborate black pearl necklace, she appears to be attending an upscale pool party, in which case her accessories are perfectly acceptable.

Fight Gravity in a Shape Enhancing Top

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

I think we can all agree that one of the main purposes of wearing  a bikini is to show off that fabulous chest.  However, a flimsy triangle top is not the best fit for every pair.  No matter what your age, a sagging bosom is never attractive.  Women with larger chests often need a bit more support, unless of course they have been surgically altered.  This is not to say that a D-cup can't look good in a triangle top, because there are many that do.  The goal is to find a top that will offer the correct shape and support, regardless of the style.  Sweetheart halter tops are especially flattering for women with larger breasts.  They are cut low to provide plenty of cleavage, but have a wider halter that is sure to give the right support.  On the other end, bandeau tops are probably the least flattering style for this body type, as there are no strings or straps to offer any kind of support.

Jennifer Love Hewitt was seen on the left wearing this black bandeau top.  She is a very beautiful girl and in reality, has quite an attractive chest. Unfortunately, this top flattens and pulls, creating a very unflattering look.  The model at right has a similar sized chest, but wears a stunning sweetheart top in brilliant blue. The neckline accentuates her chest, while the wide halter gives her support.

Best Top For Bigger Busts

Saturday, May 8th, 2010

If you happen to be endowed with larger assets on top, finding a bikini that looks good and fits well can be quite the endeavor.  For larger busts, wearing a simple triangle top can be tricky.  The thin straps just don’t cut it when it comes to holding you up.  In fact, they’re likely to just cut into your skin and make your shoulders uncomfortable the entire time you’re wearing it.  Also the cups themselves are sometimes questionable and you’re left worrying if you’re going to risk yourself to accidental exposure.  For the ladies out there who know exactly what I’m referring to, consider the Sweetheart Top.  First off, it’s obvious that this style offers a lot more coverage.  More coverage means more fabric, and more fabric means more support.  The straps on this style are wider which also adds to the overall support of this top.  Second, all this glorious coverage and support is designed in a way that’s actually cute and stylish.  That big crystal ring in the center is light years away from looking frumpy.  Yes ladies, hot bikinis for your body type do exist so grab them up and have some fun at the beach!

Know Your Real Size

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Many women have this vain misconception that they should suck in every bit of air they have in order to “fit” into the smallest size possible.  If a woman tells you that she is a size 6, it is often likely that she is actually an 8.  What these women do not realize is that too-tight clothing, including intimates and swimwear, can make even the thinnest body look like it has extra fat.  When something fits too tightly, especially in the case of pants or bikini bottoms, it cuts into the skin causing what is commonly known as “muffin top” when skin hangs over the top of a garment.  While you may be worried about revealing your actual size, you will look much better in a garment that fits.  A size 8 woman in a well-fitting garment is always more attractive that a smaller woman trying to squeeze into a size that does not properly fit.

It is very simple to test the fit of a garment.  For example, in a perfect fitting bikini bottom, the sides will lay smoothly against the skin.  Anything that is too tight will cut into the skin and create an unflattering look.  While you may need to increase your size, your confidence level will be raised as well.

Yellow Bikini

Gray Stripe Bikini

Shown at left, the wearer of this yellow bikini has a fairly nice body, but the bottom is cutting into her and causing a bit of “muffin top”. The gray stripe bikini to the right sits perfectly on top of the skin for a much more flattering fit.