Swimsuit season is here, and with it the annual fashion quest for the right suit for your body type. Celebrity stylist and curvy fashionista, Nicole Brewer, takes the fear out of finding the perfect swimsuit and shopping for style beyond size.

Real Women have curves, so choose your swimsuits like you would your clothes. The idea is to look for silhouettes that flatter your particular shape and figure. If you’ve got it, flaunt it, right? Well, true, it’s all about showing off your shape, but there are many ways to do it, tastefully. That means, play up your assets and your best angles and down play the rest. And, when it comes to swimwear, just like lingerie, you don't want to go cheap - there's too much at stake. Make the investment in quality design details and supportive fabrics to control those curves. You’ll quickly discover that it's totally worth it!

	Let the activity dictate the swimsuit. Be sure to have a slew of swimwear that includes a style best suited for posing on the beach, swimming in the ocean, water aerobics in a chlorine pool, lunch on the boardwalk, you get the idea.
	Dare to break your fashion rules and try some new styles. Be sure to create a balance of reliable stand bys and exciting alternatives. Express your true personality! You just might surprise yourself and discover that a suit you just knew could never work for you is actually quite flattering.
	Be sensible about your support needs. Your perfect suits must hold you in comfortably without restricting your movement. There are so many options with built-in bra support, so you won’t have to sacrifice style. The trick: make sure the tops of your suits are as flattering as your best bra.
	Use color to contour your curves. Black is slimming, but if you have a pale skin tone, black won’t necessarily flatter. Your best bet is to choose a variety of colors that flatter your skin tone.
	Customize your details: Re-direct the eye to elongate your silhouette and play up your assets.   Look for eye catching design elements like rouching, shirring, sweetheart necklines, keyholes, bold colors, and strategic color blocking, vertical piping and embellishments. Also check out metallic accents, cutouts and delicate print motifs that work to enhance, distract, and create illusions.

So, use my secrets to find swimsuits that work for your body type and make shopping simple. Just look for great shapes and smart details, and be sure to try on a variety of styles and sizes until you find the right fit. You never know until you put it on!

Great Shapes: waist cinching wrap swimsuits, empire waist styles, surplice necklines, sexy halters, simple swim dresses, sporty tank styles and tankini separates – (two piece suits, best when sold separately, especially if your size varies, then you can mix and match based on your body type and create a swimsuit and change it up whenever you want!)

Smart Details: rouching and shirring (gathers), sweetheart necklines, ombre (tonal gradation), color blocking that whittles your middle, piping or racing stripes to elongate your look, tummy control panels, active racer back designs, strong support, wide enough straps, built in bra, under wire, mesh shelf bra, and carefully chosen prints that flatter- small, feminine florals, slimming swirls, delicate dots, patterns on tops paired with solid bottoms.

I live for those suits that claim to make you look 10 lbs thinner! Simply put, there’s no jiggle when you wiggle, so, yes, you feel absolutely fabulous in them! I’ve worn them for years and I know I can depend on strong fabric and durable construction and a suit that is supportive and sexy. Most of those popular brands have just enough support to contour my curves and reveal nice lines, without squeezing me in weird places, creating unwanted lumps and bumps. An intense blend of Lycra and spandex is perfect for women of all sizes. Don’t just take my word for it, test drive the magic for yourself!

Cover-ups
Your swimwear look is not complete until you are comfortable in your cover-up. So, look for styles that are functional and most of all, flattering. Sheer tunics and pareos are widely available. If you don't want to be exposed at all, skip the sheer fabrics and go for more coverage like a sundress, flowy prairie skirt or soft pull-on pants, especially if thighs are your concern. Be creative: Your perfect cover-up may not be hanging on the racks with the swimsuits. Check out loungewear (near lingerie department) and sportswear, you may be surprised at what you might find. Whatever you choose, be sure it offers the coverage that you need to look and feel your best while walking around off - beach or out of the pool. The secret: Make sure the length of your cover-up is long enough to do the trick!

You really can find the perfect swimsuit to flatter your figure when you understand your body and what to look for! What’s important is how the swimsuit looks and feels on your body. Every woman has parts of her body that she loves more than others, and learning to accentuate your best assets and celebrate your curves is the key to being fun, fearless and chic! ~nb

Whether you are trying to lose weight or just experiencing life’s natural changes, your fit expert, Nicole Brewer, guides you through simple steps to help you look your best now - and later!

Update Your Undergarments                                                                                                                      Great style starts with proper foundation garments. Most women get stuck wearing the wrong size bra. The truth is, as our bodies change, so do our bra sizes. So, first, go get re-sized for a new bra every 6 months or so and invest in a few quality options for every day. Specialty lingerie stores and major department stores offer this free service to all customers. Second, get a full panty with coverage and control to help smooth out your shape under your clothes. Look for options in both light and firm control in comfortable microfibers.

Learn to Love Your Shape
Make friends with a full length mirror (yes, so you can see yourself head-to-toe!) and really start to take notice of your body’s changes. You will need to understand your shape in order to find the best silhouettes for your body type. Use accessories, colors and new fashion details to reveal your new figure, now. Stop hiding in over-sized clothes and re-discover your waistline – add a stretchy wide belt to that big shirt. Open up your neckline with scoop and v-neck tops and instantly balance out your look!

Re-Work Your Wardrobe
Separate your ‘fat’ clothes (and we all have them!) from clothes you are actually going to wear –      donate your duds to charity or someone who you know can use them.

Rather than spending money on new clothes right away, take your favorite pants, tops and dresses to a dry cleaner with an on-site tailor. Simple alterations are affordable – and you can still look great in your favorite pieces. For more expensive looks like suits and evening dresses that you just can’t bear to part with, wait until you reach your goal weight to have them tailored.

Find Figure-Friendly Fabrics
If you want to invest in some new pieces that can still work while your body changes, look for clothes made with stretch fabrics that skim your curves and create smooth lines, but still offer some wiggle room. You’ll find they fit comfortably and move when you do. Jersey separates like fluid, wide leg pants and tunics are figure friendly and wrinkle free. The good news: Even as you lose weight, your easy, jersey style is chic!