You don’t absolutely need to own a swimsuit, bathing suit or “cozzie” (short for “swimming costume” where I come from). But if swimming with your children, boating or going on a beach holiday is on the agenda, you’ll need to have a few in your drawer. Few of us look forward to shopping for swimsuits – we are self critical and dissatisfied with the bodies that we have, no matter what other people say. Ladies – thinking like this is not going to help! Our bodies are what they are and we should celebrate them.

The best swimsuit for your body requires attention to detail. I intend to cover specific advice for different body types in a future posting, but for now, here are some general tips to consider:

• All body shapes look good in a one piece swimsuit and a wrap – bikinis and tankinis can be far from perfect, but a well cut one piece will never let you down.
• Beware of the tunic – pretty lightweight tunics to wear over bathing suits should not hit you at your widest part if you are pear shaped. Choose one that is at least mid thigh in length.
• Make sure that tankini’s are snug– tankini tops tend to be wide at the hem which is unflattering. They look best when they fit snugly like a one piece but are actually two.
• Fuller figures needn’t wear frumpy skirt suits – choose a low cut simple full piece with good bra support. Match it up with a dainty sarong and pretty thong sandals and you’ll look wonderful.
• Black is not always best – it’s always more festive to wear colours on the beach! A black one piece with lots of coverage can look awfully matronly. However, if you insist that black is best, select a style that has dainty cut away detail or lots of metal trim.
• Board shorts for Mums – wraps can untie when playing in the sand with children. Opt for board shorts that match your swimsuit and be hassle free.
• String bikinis are not always best for small busted bodies – they can make you look less shapely than you are. Halter necks and bra tops are better alternatives and offer extra padding if desired.
• Multiple suits – Lounging by the poolside and cannoning require different types of bathing suits. You’ll want to have a few swimsuits at your disposal for various occasions. 

You‘ll find the best assortment of swimsuits in stores in March and April. Be at peace with the body that you have. Remember: sex appeal is more about confidence and attitude than aesthetic perfection!

A Halter, a dainty One-piece and a colourful Strapless, all from Nordstrom

Plus Size Swimwear creates elegant options for the fuller figure. The suit above flattens and hides the tummy without a skirt. 

Perfect length Tunic, Tankini that fits at the waist, and dainty One-piece with cutaway detail from Macy’s

I’ve talked about what’s fabulous this season (see Spring 2006). Many high fashion items become “mainstream” a year after their so-called debut. Other items come back into fashion decades later – hence the term “vintage”. Unfortunately, there will also be items that were complete fashion fads last season and just won’t be stylish to wear again this season. Here’s the scoop on what to keep, what to store, and what to give away.

To keep:

• Well fitting jeans –  boot cut or flared with or without bling on the back pockets
• Gauchos – walk shorts would be this season’s update, but in Europe – culottes are always a stylish classic!
• Bling T-shirts – any style embellished with sequins, glitter, studs or metallic print
• Puffy sleeved items – in any form  e.g. t-shirt, jacket or blouse
• Strapless tops – still great to use as layering items
• Embellished thong sandals – gladiator thongs would be the update, but you’ll still be hip wearing those pretty Indian versions you wore last summer
• Hip belts – fitted long tops are very fashionable and despite the fact that belts are moving onto our natural waist again, you’ll still be able to wear hip belts over long tops and look fab
• Ethnic accessories – still very much in vogue

To store:

• Chunky turquoise jewelry – it becomes popular every 5 or 6 years
• Out of style designer handbags – you paid an arm and a leg for them and they will be fashionable again, I promise. I’ve just started reusing my 8 year old Prada bag

To give away:

• Cropped front-tie shrugs
• Long-tiered peasant skirts
• Anything tie dyed
• Faded, ripped jeans

When passing on your clothes; consider dropping them off at a Dress for Success site. There are women in the world who literally have nothing to wear and they will be grateful for your donations.

Marilyn Monroe was the quintessential “hourglass”, along with Selma Hayek, Penelope Cruz and Jessica Simpson. Your curvy proportions, shapely bust and defined waist give you bombshell potential! But you still need to think about the ways that your style affects your shape – defining your waist and lengthening your legs will do the trick.

Make your waist a focal point:

• Choose garments in soft fabrics that accentuate and skim over your perfect curves. Avoid straight tunic styles and shapeless dresses and that hide your contours.
• Your tops should be simple, smooth and low scooped.
• Choose soft fitted blouses and shirts with open necklines. Avoid tops with breast pockets, ruffles and pleating. You’ll also look great in simple baby tees, wrap tops, halters and blousons.
• You’ll look best in a top and fine knit cardigan as opposed to a sweater. In that way you’ll be creating a “deep V” that will draw attention to your tiny waist. Keep them at hipbone length and pop them over full trousers or pencil skirts.
• High waisted belts (that sit on your natural waist) which are all the rage at the moment, are a must.
• Belted trenches (at any length) and classic coats with narrow tailored lapels at knee length will look best. Choose short nipped waist jackets at hipbone length with fairly low buttoning detail.
• Avoid bulky knits, jackets and tops – keep your fabrics soft and with stretch if possible.
• Avoid the 1950’s boxy cropped jacket that is the height of fashion at the moment.

Choose the bottom to look taller and slimmer:

• You’ll be able to wear those short shorts and skirts – by all means show off those super legs! Walk shorts are also a good choice, especially if you wear them with a heel.
• Choose flat-front, low-waist, boot-cut or flared pants and jeans.
• Stretch will always be most comfortable around your fullish bottom.
• Avoid straight, tight and tapered leg fits as they will make you look bottom heavy. You’ll be able to wear most denim and corduroy cuts well.
• Choose a pencil skirt with a narrow waistband and slightly tapered hemline just below the knee. Tuck in your top and accessorize with just about anything. You can also wear full-circle, tiered, bias and a-line skirts. You’ll also look fabulous in a sarong.
• Wear heels whenever you can in order to create a taller, slimmer line.

Your body was made for dresses! Tailored sheaths, tank dresses, wrap, bias, strapless, slinky and anything else will look superb on you. If you’re an hourglass and you haven’t got at least 3 knitted wrap dresses in your cupboard right now – it’s a waste of your lovely body! You’ll find them in the dress department at Nordstrom’s, Macy’s and Bebe.

What to wear to someone else’s wedding – a question that crops up in all of our lives at some point or another. There is unfortunately no one appropriate outfit that covers all wedding situations. There are many factors to consider when selecting the correct outfit, so I will address wedding appropriate attire for both ladies and gents over several blog entries.

There are, however, a few general points to consider when thinking about what to wear to a conventional wedding:

• Formality and smartness is respectful – it is rude to arrive at a wedding casual and unkempt. The hosts have gone to great lengths to create a wonderland of elegance irrespective of their budget. Respect the importance of the occasion and go the extra mile with your look.
• Never outshine the bride – despite the fact that white is “the colour of the season” – refrain from wearing it to a wedding. The only white you should see at a wedding is the beautiful bride herself!
• Trousers are fine for ladies – it can be chic to wear pants to a wedding as long as you don’t look as though you’re going to the office
• Modesty is the best policy – you don’t need to show off your bosom and acres of leg to look sexy. An understated outfit that clings to your body in all the right places is a lot more classy and intriguing.
• Pretty hands and feet – it’s always a good idea to get a manicure and pedicure before an important event. This extra bit of grooming will go a long way to completing your polished look.
• Wear black carefully – wear it only if it suits you. Black does not look good on everyone.
• Mull over the detail – at what time of the year is the wedding? Is it outdoors or indoors? Is it dressy or formal? Will you need to travel? Will there be other events before and after the wedding that you’ll need outfits for?

Expend a little more energy and be the best dressed person there… after the bride and groom of course!