I have finally completed my Guide to Swimwear 2006.  I asked my friend Lindsay Morris, a former editor at Shape, to help me put together this guide. Lindsay knows her swimsuits—a former competitive swimmer who once owned just a team suit, she states, without hesitation, that there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all. “While my teammates and I practiced four hours daily through grueling drills, our athletic builds varied considerably”, Lindsay wrote me. “There were apple, pear and curveless shapes—just like those I’d see at the beach (not on “Baywatch”)—but with an extra layer of muscle. Truth be told, bathing beauties come in all shapes, so thank goodness designers are catching on (if only team uniform designers would follow their lead).”

No matter what your shape, size, state or level of modesty, the following guide offers you the keys to finding the perfect fit; our favorite places to purchase budget beach and poolwear; and answers to your most pressing questions (but of course!). And, as always, we encourage you to share your own swimwear secrets. Dive in!

The Rules

You’ll have no reason not to look your beach best if you carefully adhere to the following tips.

The Dos

1. When shopping for a suit, think about what first catches your eye. For example, do you notice the bottoms or the top? Now, think of how you’d feel if someone looked first at that part of your body.
2. Check the tag. The higher the spandex content, the better. The suit will hold its shape and flatter yours.
3. Sunscreen—the most important swimsuit accessory!
4. Use bump-stopper creams and schedule a professional bikini wax.
5. Alternate suits. The fabric needs about a day to dry and return to its original shape.
6. Follow wash instructions: Gently hand wash your suit in lukewarm water and mild soap and hang it indoors to dry.
7. If you are a regular pool swimmer, buy a suit-cleaning solution (available at most suit retailer shops and e-commerce sites).

The Don’ts
1. Throwing your suit in the machine washer or dryer will break down the Lycra, bleed and fade colors, misshape padding and damage elasticity.
2. Hanging your suit on the clothesline in the sun is yet another way to stretch it out of shape and speed fading.
3. Sitting or sprawling directly on gritty poolsides causes wear and tear; it can also produce unsightly pilling on your suit bottoms.
4. Racer-backs hug and accentuate back fat; try a full tank suit or tankini.
5. Pairing shorts with a one-piece suit makes even the slimmest gals look like they’ve got a belly.
6. Hot tubbing in your beach best is just as bad as dropping that suit in the washing machine. Wear older suits in the whirlpool.

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The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear


The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 1: The Do’s and Don’t

The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 2: What’s Hot and What’s Shot

The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 3: The Best Swimsuit for Your Skin Color

The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 4: What’s Hot and What’s Shot

The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 5: Answers to Common Swimwear Questions