Yes, you read that right; it will take you no more than three and a half steps to find the perfect swimsuit that will make all the heads turn, for all the right reasons.

But let’s start at… the end.

Saying that nothing looks better than confidence could work as a fitting conclusion to this guide, but we are going to use it now and be done with it. Although a powerful thing, confidence means little when there’s nothing to back it up and to back it up, you will have to choose your beach armor carefully.

In search of the perfect swimsuit

In theory, it’s simple. We all know the rules: the ideal swimsuit should

Suit your body shape,
Be your size,
Look stylish, yet feel comfortable,
Be a natural extension of your personality, and so on, and so forth.

Feel free to add more.

This all sounds easy enough to find, yet the moment you start browsing stores, be it online or in the real, wild world, the search for the perfect swimsuit for your staggeringly good summer look quickly turns from fun into frustration bordering on agony. Yet, shopping for swimwear online has a clear advantage of allowing you to wallow in misery in private – not that it solves anything in the long run.

Once your tears have dried enough to continue reading, let us take the first step.

Your body is a temple…

…it looks and feels like something the Romans destroyed 2,500 years ago, or so goes the joke.

Yes, we get it: you’re not perfect. And you’re fully aware that nobody is, except, of course, Margot Robbie. But, summer is that dreaded season when all our insecurities seem to come alive, and embracing your body is much easier when it’s wrapped in a thick winter coat.

Fashionable bikinis are a no-brainer and an obvious choice for most women since they allow for a lot of freedom of movement (as well as getting a great tan).

Now, if you are, for any reason, unsure about your body type, go and take a long hard look into the mirror. Once you’ve done that, it will be much easier to decide what to go for. Thinner girls can go for patterns, floral prints, even horizontal stripes to give them a fuller look. Those on the bigger side should stick to simpler, darker, solid-color swimsuits. Thongs and high-cut bottoms will visually elongate shorter legs; high-waisted bottoms will hide love handles and that one extra doughnut you ate in winter.

It’s pretty straightforward:

Show the flattering bits and hide… the less flattering ones. Frills and ruffles are great for hiding everything you’d rather not be seen, from smaller breasts to a fuller waist. Another great way to hide that little bit of flab on your tummy is opting for a one-piece swimsuit – they can be insanely sexy if you know how to rock them. Depending on your body shape and the model, they can also prove to be a good solution for more active types.

Some more rules to follow

Further on, those with wider hips shouldn’t go for boyshorts, while those with larger busts won’t look good in thin-striped triangle tops (unless you do want to flaunt your goods). To make sure everything stays in place, in the latter case, you should choose a firm top with an underwire that will provide good support. Don’t go minimal – nature didn’t go minimal on you!

If it did go minimal on you, choose a bandeau top, or a top with some extra padding. Or, create a diversion by flaunting your legs or emphasizing your waist by wearing low-cut bottoms – this will be especially effective if you also have a short torso.

This naturally brings us to step 2: the matter of size. By now, you should know your size, and if you don’t (or if you’re worried about sizing with different retailers), ask. Bear in mind that the perfect swimsuit should be a tight (but not too tight) fit, because, after all, you will want to eat, drink, and breathe, even on the beach. It should feel like a second skin, so you can move, or laze around, naturally – whichever you prefer.

“If you don’t know where you’re going…”

“…any road will take you there.”

And further down the rabbit hole, we go. If you haven’t asked yourself already, ask yourself now: what’s your beach style? What will your primary activities be? Don’t go for loosely-tied bikini tops if you intend to spend most of your time braving the waves. If you want a good tan, feel free to expose more skin; if you’re the type to sunburn easily, or if you live to surf, long-sleeved swimsuits are the way to go. Step 3: check!

Lastly, you will want to make sure you have found a good retailer. Don’t forget the biggest downside to shopping online, which is, not being able to try anything on. A good retailer should be helpful and ready to assist, with reliable sending options and a flexible return policy. You should also be able to mix-match your tops and bottoms, since most women do not have an hourglass figure, after all.

And this, if you were wondering, was the half-step.

Let’s wrap it up

In conclusion, let’s go back to the beginning.

Sometimes, it’s good to break the rules and go against the norm. Other times, it’s good to know what works, and what doesn’t. The idea is to find the perfect swimsuit that will appeal to both your practical and your aesthetic needs – function and fashion should go hand in hand. Once you’ve done that, you will truly have found the Perfect Fit.

You see? It’s easy as 1-2-3… and a half.

About the Author

Diana Smith is a full-time mom of two beautiful girls interested in the latest fashion and beauty hacks. In her free time, she enjoys exercising and preparing healthy meals for her family.