By Robert Ruiz
Plus-sized women, declare yourself free from swimwear restrictions! There are no rules that plus-sized women must follow, but their smaller friends can ignore. The key for all bodies is that clothing should accentuate what you want to show off and diminish what you want to minimize. And most importantly, you should feel confident in what you wear.
Here are 6 myths about plus-sized swimsuit shopping that you can feel free to trash.
All plus-sized bodies should wear the same thing.
Just because two people wear the same size, it doesn't mean that they look good in the same clothing. Plus-sized bodies come in a huge variety of shapes, and your trouble areas may be completely different from your friends in the same size range.
It's also likely that you don't have the same psychological relationship with your body that other women have to theirs. Something that bothers you a lot about your own body may not be a problem for the woman standing next to you. You are an individual, and it's right for your clothing style choices to reflect that.
Choose loose-fitting fabrics.
Many larger women are steered to tent-shaped styles when it comes to clothing of all types. Do not be tempted to sacrifice your shape in favor of hiding your curves. Shapeless, loose styles will almost always make you appear bigger than you actually are, and more fabric adds bulk.
You have to choose a dark, solid color.
Conventional wisdom says that black is slimming, but that certainly doesn't mean that everything you choose should be black. This is especially true of swimwear, an area of fashion where bright colors and fun prints are celebrated. In fact, you can strategically use a fabulous color or pattern to draw attention to the parts of your body you love.
You don't have to wear a dark color, and you don't have to wear a solid. Try on swimwear in any color or pattern that speaks to you.
You can't wear a two-piece.
There is an old myth that says two-piece swimsuits are only for people with perfectly flat tummies. That's completely untrue. There are many wonderful two-piece styles that look amazing on people who wear larger sizes.
The tankini is a swimsuit style that hit the market about a decade ago and has been embraced by people of all sizes. It incorporates a top and bottom in a variety of style choices with an end result that can be similar to a one-piece suit.
If you want to choose something even skimpier than a tankini, go for it. Being larger doesn't mean that you can't wear a bikini and show off some skin between the top and the bottom of your suit. High-waisted bottoms can do wonders for pulling in your stomach or hips if those are challenging areas for you, and that strip of skin between the top and bottom can bring attention to your waist.
You are the same size on top and bottom.
One of the advantages of a two-piece suit is that you can buy your top and bottom separately. It is very likely that you are a different size on top than you are on the bottom. Depending on the way your weight is distributed, the difference could be significant.
Try on swimsuit tops and bottoms in different sizes to get the perfect fit.
There are styles you can't even try.
You can try on anything you want. The only exception to this is when a designer doesn't make a specific style in your size. In that case, speak out and let that designer or manufacturer know that a potential customer has been left out.
Try on anything that you like, even a super small bikini. You can choose to wear anything you like, and you might find that a style you'd never considered is actually an amazing choice for you.
Buying swimwear can be difficult, especially for people who have trouble loving their bodies. That includes people of all sizes and shapes. Shop for swimsuits in the way that is most comfortable for you. That could be ordering online and then trying on different styles at home, it could be shopping with a group of supportive friends, or it could mean going alone. The more you see your own body in different types of swimsuits, the more you will know about zeroing in on the best look for you.
Be bold, be confident, and love yourself. Rules? There are no rules.
About The Author:
Robert Ruiz runs and owns Under Construction Fitness Apparel, Eclectic Urban Wear, Sensual Ambition, Host of I Am Cancelled Podcast, Former Host of Urban Thoughts Podcast, High management positions in the fitness industry for over 15 years, former owner of Gate Keepers Answering Service, Former owner of www.sportsjunkiecenter.com and more......