Plus size and apple-shaped women rejoice. 2014 swimsuit trends flatter larger women. The uber-popular tankini de-emphasizes thick midriffs, chubby tummies while accentuating hips. Unfortunately, chesty-curvy gals aren’t so lucky. Swimsuit tops still aren’t generous enough. But with tops and bottoms sold separately, there are swimsuits for all body shapes and sizes.
Pluses of 2014 Tankini
Stores carry far fewer one-piece swimsuits. And in their place–the tankini. What the heck is a tankini, you ask? It’s a two-piece that looks like one piece. The top is cut like a longer shirt-length top. Tops feature straps, two-triangle halter, bandeau and bustier. Bottoms are bikini or string bikini (good for hippy-curvy women) skirt (ideal for heavier women) or boy-cut (for gals with toned or slender legs). Tankini tops may extend just to the bottom or form a skirt over it. Tankinis have higher backs that smooth out back fat, too. They provide more room for movement and are less revealing. They’re great for women with big tummies or long waists.
Big Bust Options
Large-breasted women have always had difficulty finding swimsuits that accommodate. I’ve shopped a lot of stores, tried on one-piece and two-piece and found 2014 swimsuit trends no different. Bathing suit designers don’t seem to get that women have breasts and want to be comfortable. Most suits squash and cramp, especially the bandeau, bustier and tank styles. Few have supportive under-wire bra cups larger breasts require. The only ones that do are plus sizes. Which don’t fit elsewhere. The lesser of all evils is h alter style–if you can find one with large enough triangles to cover, that doesn’t create a “great divide” across the front and that has b uilt-in pads or cups.
Buy Top and Bottom Separately
Another thing women’s swimsuit makers don’t get is that we’re individual. Few fit the S-M-L-XL mold (which measurements vary by maker). We are not proportional. The 2014 swimsuit trend (which began a few years ago) to sell swimsuit pieces separately, helps. I’ve lost 100 pounds. I was wearing my old too-big suit because it fit in the chest. This year, I bought a size small bottom and size large top.
Mix and Match
Buying swimsuit pieces separately greatly extends style possibilities, too. You can purchase solid and print pieces. You can buy contrasting top and bottom colors. Mix and match to double the number of swimsuit combos. Shop different stores for pieces that coordinate with others you have.
So swimsuit designers still have a margin for improvement. But at least we’re getting past the generic body style mindset to swimsuits for the rest of us!
