Plus Size Swimwear Article: Do You Want To Go To The Beach? How to Answer “Yes” Every Time

There’s nothing inherently terrifying about the beach. Most beaches are beautiful and there’s nothing better than a nice swim on a hot day. It’s just that going to the beach involves wearing next to nothing. And wearing that few clothes in front of people! I would rather face Jaws than expose my upper arms and thighs to the world.

You have two choices: you can miss out on fun times with your friends and family or you can suck it up and find a beach wardrobe that works for you. How can you find beachwear that works for your plus-sized curves?

Step 1: Start with the bathing suit

This is the scariest part. I order online so I can deal with the trauma of trying on suits in the privacy of my own bedroom. I also recommend swim separates. Landsend.com is a great place to start. They have a variety of styles so you can highlight parts of your body and hide others. Their suits are high quality and will last a few summers. I bought a skirted bottom with a few different style tops: one with a lot of bust support for being active, one with a lower neckline for being pretty, and another one that I just thought was cute. If you didn’t know better, you would think I had 3 totally different suits. I still don’t love publicly wearing a bathing suit but I don’t feel exposed in these either.

When trying on suit separates, make sure you move around a lot. You want to make sure the top won’t ride up, your chest will remain covered and the bottom will stay in place.

Step 2: Find a cute cover up

In general, I find those flimsy things labeled beach cover-ups to be lacking in style. Cover-ups should allow you to step into a convenience store for bottled water without feeling naked. I wanted something more fashionable so I bought an inexpensive sundress from oldnavy.com instead. I chose a color that coordinated with my suit. Fortunately, maxi dresses are in style this season so there are plenty of options in all stores.

Step 3: Complete your outfit

You still need a cute pair of sandals, a colorful beach bag and a towel. You can find these items anywhere. Target has some fun and inexpensive options. Choose a towel and bag that match your suit. I always add a second tote bag that can be folded and tucked into my beach bag so I don’t have to mix wet items with dry.

When selecting sandals, you will want them to be stylish but also consider that you may want to walk into water wearing them. Basic flip-flops are always easy and will fit easily into a suitcase for travel.

Don’t forget to pick up sunglasses and sunscreen. Once you have completed a beach wardrobe with items you feel confident wearing, you’ll be more likely to agree to a fun outing on the beach.

Image courtesy of Monifc.com.

About the author: Judy Miller is the owner of http://www.abundantlove.com, the place for plus size dating.

Plus Size Swimwear Article: Plus Sized Summer Fashion: Swimsuits for the Curvy Figure

When it comes to swimsuit shopping as the weather gets warmer, many of us are absolutely paralyzed with anxiety. Sound familiar? Even more so if there are a few “problem areas” that you so desperately want to hide from all of your fellow beachgoers.

Fortunately, there is a solution for the plus sized gal out there. Here are several top choices in swimsuit styles that are naturally slimming and much more forgiving so that you can sit back, relax, and really enjoy your summer vacation:

1. Remember Ruching: Not only is ruching stylish, but since the fabric is gathered together, it is much more forgiving when it comes to a swimsuit. If you want to channel a screen goddess from the 50s, then try a one-piece halter swimsuit with ruching to make a splash at the beach this summer. This style strategically hides the midsection, and it’s flattering and slimming throughout the entire length of the torso.

2. Halter Bikini Top: If you’re more of a two-piece type of girl, then a halter top will work best to balance your figure and flatter your entire frame. A halter top naturally balances your neckline and shoulders, and it makes your body look more proportional. On top of that, a halter top will show off your best features – shapely shoulders, a toned back, and a nice chest to boot. I’m not complaining!

3. Get Ruffled: Ruffles aren’t just for little girls anymore. When chosen strategically, ruffles on a swimsuit can be cute, whimsical, and draw attention to your best features. If you want to play up your best asset, i.e. your top half, then go for a swimsuit that has ruffles along the collar or chest. Or if you’re looking for an allover slimming effect, then choose a ruffled two-piece that has ruffles on both the top and bottom half. It works like a charm.

4. Don’t Forget Shapewear! There’s no reason to be intimidated by the term shapewear this summer. Today, many fashionable swimsuits are created as shapewear to slim and tuck where you need it the most. If you want to feel more comfortable reclining by the pool with the piña colada in hand, then a shapewear swimsuit may give you the control and support you have been looking for.

Image courtesy of http://oldnavy.gap.com/.

Bethany Ramos is a professional wedding makeup artist with a passion for fashion that co-owns her own website at The Coffee Bump.

Fashion Article: Most Flattering Swimwear for Women with Wide Hips

Women with hips and thighs that are bigger and wider than their shoulders used to have a hard time shopping for beach clothes but with the advent of plus size swimwear, they now have many choices to to go through. Gone are the days where they would rather wear a t-shirt and shorts to cover their whole body. Now plus size women can flaunt their bodies on the beach. There are various plus size swimsuit styles which have been created to make a curvy woman look sexier and attractive.

So if you are a plus size women with wide hips, here are two options to consider to choose the most flattering swimwear for your shape: the first option involves covering the areas you are most uncomfortable with and the other option involves wearing swimsuits that would create an illusion of longer and leaner legs.

You can place a sarong or sash over your swimsuit to conceal the width of your hips. This is particularly effective if you have a high cut bottom swimsuit. There are also swimsuits that have miniskirts and these can hide wide hips if they are in darker shades or colors. As much as possible your swimsuit must not have huge patterns or designs especially in the hip and thigh area because this will make them appear even wider than they are. Designs or patterns should be kept for the upper area of the bathing suit, while darker colors should be in the lower area. Swimsuits that have vertical stripes or lines will give an illusion of a slender figure. It is also better for some women to wear a one-piece swimwear instead of a two-piece swimsuit because this will also help hide the size of the hips. With the right cut, you can feel taller, more slender and sexier.

The color of the swimwear you choose is also important. It is a blessing that plus size swimsuits now can be found in various colors and patterns that would appeal to women of all tastes and age. Choosing the right color is equally important as the right cut and design. The hip area should have darker colors while the upper area should have a lighter shade. Women with small bust lines should wear swimsuits with lighter color or huge patterns on the upper part so as to create an illusion of a bigger bust line.

Any woman should be able to enjoy going to the beach and get a tan. They should also enjoy the coolness of the water especially during summer time. Before, women would rather miss the opportunity to enjoy the beach because they do not have the right body or a great swimsuit. The advent of plus size clothes are really a blessing because nowadays, women with a larger frame can feel just as sexy and confident as slimmer people. They can accentuate assets and downplay problem areas. Summer is just around the corner so it is better to shop for the sexy, colorful and attractive plus size swimwear that will make one a smashing sight to behold at the beach.

Photo courtesy of Pasazz.net.

About the author: Sassy Sarah is the founder of Pasazz.net, a plus size clothing portal online since 2003 which provide curvy with with an extensive shopping guide, fashion tips and updates on sales. Check out the plus size swimwear section to find a list of stores that specialize in swimsuits for the fuller figure.