Swimsuit Shopping Tips for Petite Women
Sabah Karimi
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Creating the perfect silhouette in a bathing suit doesn't come easy for petite women; petite sizes often require some tailoring and serious searching. In addition to the standard tugging and pulling to make it fit 'just right,' swimsuit shopping for petite women can rank fairly high on the frustrati 
on meter. Imagine having to buy every outfit or ensemble in two completely different sizes, just so that the top and bottoms fit. Even though swimsuit designers are making attempts to offer collections on an individual basis, this usually isn't a cost-effective choice for most. Even the one-piece has its limits; without enough stretch and give, the one-piece miracle may fall short for those petite figures.
So what's the beach-bound shopper to do? If you're a petite woman in search of your killer bathing suit this season, here are a few shopping tips that may navigate to the shore of satisfaction:
Swimsuit Shopping Tip #1: Look for a close fit
Look for well-cut and functional over design. Don't try and squeeze into anything just because of the brand name or print. A too-small top is just calling for a spillover, while too-tight bottoms are far from an enhancement. It may say 'stretch' on the label, but it's not the same as buying jeans. Oversized swimwear won't work either; you'll be floating and figureless, so look for a suit that sits close to your skin but doesn't pack you in so tightly that you lose circulation.
Swimsuit Shopping Tip #2: The sarong is your friend
Fashionable and bold, the sarong is the best accessory you can take with you to the beach. Wrap it around like a skirt, and easily balance out your figure if you have large thighs or a thick waist. If you want to show off that tummy, just wrap the skirt lower around your hipbones.
Swimsuit Shopping Tip #3: To halter or not?
The halter top is a popular choice for many swimsuits, but you'll need to find the right cut and fit to make sure you're not guilty of spillover (see #1). Choose wider bands for added comfort if you're top heavy; the string halter is not a good choice if you're looking for extra support. Pick a printed style to pair up with solid bottoms, and show off those shoulders!
So what's the beach-bound shopper to do? If you're a petite woman in search of your killer bathing suit this season, here are a few shopping tips that may navigate to the shore of satisfaction:
Swimsuit Shopping Tip #1: Look for a close fit
Look for well-cut and functional over design. Don't try and squeeze into anything just because of the brand name or print. A too-small top is just calling for a spillover, while too-tight bottoms are far from an enhancement. It may say 'stretch' on the label, but it's not the same as buying jeans. Oversized swimwear won't work either; you'll be floating and figureless, so look for a suit that sits close to your skin but doesn't pack you in so tightly that you lose circulation.
Swimsuit Shopping Tip #2: The sarong is your friend
Fashionable and bold, the sarong is the best accessory you can take with you to the beach. Wrap it around like a skirt, and easily balance out your figure if you have large thighs or a thick waist. If you want to show off that tummy, just wrap the skirt lower around your hipbones.
Swimsuit Shopping Tip #3: To halter or not?
The halter top is a popular choice for many swimsuits, but you'll need to find the right cut and fit to make sure you're not guilty of spillover (see #1). Choose wider bands for added comfort if you're top heavy; the string halter is not a good choice if you're looking for extra support. Pick a printed style to pair up with solid bottoms, and show off those shoulders!