Summer is finally here and most of us are feeling the pressure. Are we still into the maillot and does it even look good on me? Am I carrying the right bag? Where do we stand on beach jewelry? Have I worked out enough (you bet I have)? Should I self-tan before or is that tacky? It’s almost enough to make you stay at home in the air conditioning watching endless reruns of House of Cards. Luckily, the lovely folks at Moda Operandi are way ahead of you and have put together a comprehensive guide to the most amazing summer beachwear; almost as good as you look.

Your Summer Beachwear Guide

There’s no point in having an amazing swimsuit if you don’t look amazing in it. But how do you know whether that Marysia maillot (though cute and trending) is doing you any favors? Cue this summer beachwear guide to the most flattering styles for every shape.

Athletic

Forget the triangle top (it’s not happening anyway) and fake some curves with feminine details and maillots with cutouts. Why would you want to hide those well-earned abs anyway?

Blessed on Top

Proof that the grass isn’t always greener, finding a suit that properly supports can be a challenge. Look for those with thicker straps and plenty of side coverage, as well as low-rise bottoms to lengthen your torso.

Hourglass

As the saying goes, if you’ve got it, flaunt it. Show off your enviably defined waist with one pieces or those self-belt and retro bikinis. Note: if it’s sporty, it’s not for you.

A Bit Of Butt

Credit Kim Kardashian for making this shape the most desirable (I guess). Since there is such a thing as too much skin, stick to high-waisted bottoms, and if it’s a one-piece, make it a plunged neckline.

Petite

When you’re tiny all over, you’re able to wear suits that are equally small. (Begone full-covered bottoms!) bandeaus, strings, cutouts, and prints are all fair game here.

Trends in Summer Beachwear

To save you from showing up in last season’s silhouette, the nice and stylish Moda Operandi folks have listed styles that are currently trending.

The How-to on Beach Jewelry from Stellene Volandes’ Perspective

There seems to be a misconception that women need to leave their jewelry at home when they head off to the beach. That’s certainly not the Moda approach and the lovely Town & Country Editor-in-Chief (and notorious jewelry authority) Stellene Volandes is lending her expertise to this issue.

According to her, she tries to avoid the word “appropriate” because she thinks it has held jewelry back for years—remember the idea that diamonds were only “appropriate” for the evening?

She also prefers big jewelry statements for the beach whether it means one bold piece or layering multiple delicate ones. “As far as I am concerned, you should feel free to pair jewels with a swimsuit the way you would with any other ensemble”.

Pearls?

One should probably eliminate pearls from their seaside jewelry repertoire—and from spa day jewelry too, as heat and steam and water can damage them. You’ll want to keep delicate stones like emeralds away from salt and sea as well.

Turquoise or Coral

The easiest way to make a simple summer beachwear black swimsuit feel like summer is to add turquoise or coral. “I will always opt for fine, even at the beach. There is something so carefree about it and most fine jewelry is way tougher than most people think. The Cartier love bracelet can withstand all the elements.” The female icon who wore it best, explains Stellene, is Sarah Murphy (Fitzgerald muse) while on the beach in the South of France with her pearls dripping down her back. Or Carolina Herrera lounging with just one single perfect gold bangle, an icon of sophisticated world travel. In addition, nothing looks better against tan skin and wet hair than a gorgeous gold hoop.

Well, when it comes to summer beachwear, you know your body and style better than anyone else. But it will never hurt to steal a few styles or two if it enhances how great you want to look. And while at it, don’t forget to have fun, abs or no abs!

xoxo