With thanks to my good friends at small-bust lingerie & swimwear specialist Sugarchilli for sharing their small-bust swimwear “golden rules” in this fabulous guest post:
Deep blue bikini top with moulded cups, $29.95, Sugarchilli
Top tips…
AVOID BUST FLATTENERS: like unpadded triangle bikinis and bandeau tops
GET MOULDED CUPS: shaped cups will give you curves in all the right places
GO FOR UNDERWIRE: underwired cups help prevent ride-up or gaping
WIDE BANDS ARE BEST: if you don’t like underwires, a wider band sits flatter
TRY FOAM OR GEL: tops with in-built or removable padding give you a boost
DO DIY PADDING: you can get sew-on bra pockets and inserts to add yourself
TWEAK: adjustable straps can help you create the lift and cleavage you desire
TRAIN THE EYE: emphasise the bust area with bright colour, pattern and detail like fringing and ruching
HALTERS ADD OOMPH: Halterneck straps draw your breasts in for a little bit of cleavage
Seafolly fringed bikini top, £62, and brief, £37, Figleaves
The bottom line…
DARK COLOURS SLIM: to scale down a bigger bottom, avoid prints and wear a darker colour
LENGTHEN LEGS: string-ties and high-cut legs can make legs appear longer and bottom smaller
HIDE IN STYLE: boyshorts or smooth, skimming bikini skirts keep your bottom neatly under wraps
Light yellow bikini skirt $19.95, Sugarchilli
Fab ab ideas…
UNDER CONTROL: Tankini tops or one pieces with tummy control panels give you an instant tummy tuck
SUBTLETY IS KEY: Darker colours and small prints have a slimming effect
Balance broad shoulders…
GO FOR WIDE STRAPS: avoid halterneck straps, horizontal stripes, plunging necklines and skimpy bottoms
EMPHASISE LOWER HALF: choose lighter colours and details like ruching, ruffles, ties, belts and bikini skirts
Lengthen legs…
DRAW THE EYE UPWARDS: a halterneck or v-line top should do the trick
CREATE A LEGGY ILLUSION: choose low-waisted, high-cut or tie-side briefs
Ruched detail tankini top, £22, and boy shorts, £15, Marks & Spencer
Bond eye Chelsea moulded tri top, £26, Simply Beach
Sugarchilli recommends…
STRING-TIES & HIGH-CUT LEGS: Baku Australia
EYE-CATCHING PATTERNS: Seafolly also at Figleaves and Simply Beach
TANKINIS: Figleaves and Marks & Spencer
PADDED TRIANGLE BIKINIS: La Senza
DIVERSE SHAPES & STYLES: Simply Beach
SMALL BUST SPECIALISM: Sugarchilli
