Four flattering swimwear trends to try

Forget about the itsy bitsy teeny weeny varieties of bikinis this season, says Lucy Slight. Photo / 123RF

Forget about the itsy bitsy teeny weeny varieties of bikinis this season, because for summer 2014/15, it's all about enhancing your best assets, rather than letting them all hang out. Lucy Slight takes a look at the hottest trends in swimwear that will keep you feeling confident and well-covered at the beach - with a stylish twist too, of course.

1950s retro revival

Left-right: Tigerlily Oui 50s Halter One-Piece, Zulu and Zephyr Three Anchor Bra-Cup Bikini, Witchery Swim Portofino, Farmers Expozay Contrast Print Tankini.

For a woman with curves, this trend is a godsend. Underwire in full bra cups to keep your breasts from bouncing, high-waisted bikini bottoms to hide a troublesome tum and gorgeous one-pieces that cover you up without leaving you feeling like you're hitting the pool for a set of laps. And the best part about retro swimwear? The trend comes from an era where curves were celebrated not scrutinised - think Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth and Sophia Loren - so these bikinis, tankinis and bathing suits are made for those with hourglass figures.

• Tigerlily Oui 50s Halter One-Piece, $199.95 NZD

• Zulu and Zephyr Three Anchor Bra-Cup Bikini, $140 AUD

• Roxy Colada Bandeau High Waist Bikini, $99.99 NZD

• Witchery Swim Portofino, $169.90 NZD

• Farmers Expozay Contrast Print Tankini, $89.99 NZD

Flouncing, fluttering ruffles

Every season it seems there are one or two key trends that take over, and this summer the flutter top bikini and skirted brief are having their time in the sun. For women with a smaller bust, a bandeau with a strategically placed ruffle will help to enhance your chest and even out your proportions. If hips are your main concern a skirtini will provide that extra bit of coverage, meaning you may be less inclined to reach for that trusty sarong. It's an ultra-feminine look that could quickly become your go-to.

Left-right: Billabong Tropical Flounce Separate Top and Pants, Glassons Tie Dye Frill Top Bikini, Roxy Love and Happiness Moulded Flutter Bandeau Bikini, Zimmermann Separates Frill Bandeau One-Piece.

• Billabong Tropical Flounce Separate Top, $49.99 NZD and Tropical Lowrider Separate Pant, $49.99 NZD

• Glassons Tie Dye Frill Top Bikini, $34.99 NZD

• Roxy Love and Happiness Moulded Flutter Bandeau Bikini, $119.99 NZD

• Zimmermann Separates Frill Bandeau One-Piece, $210 AUD

Swimming sports

It may have seemed like a fleeting trend when it first became popular last summer, but there's no doubt now that the sport-luxe look is here to stay. This time however, it's not just about brightly coloured cheeky wetsuits - with neoprene, zips and cropped rashies covering the whole swimwear spectrum. Whether you're unzipping that one-piece all the way to below the chest, covering up your shoulders with a cute cropped lycra tee or simply choosing a block-coloured one-piece, one thing's for sure - sporty is getting sexy.

Left-right:Glassons Tropical Crop Rash Vest, Rip Curl The Bomb One Piece, Moontide Mod Sliced Tank Swimsuit, Lonely Zip Front Swimsuit.

• Glassons Tropical Crop Rash Vest, $39.99 NZD

• Rip Curl The Bomb One Piece, $139.99 NZD

• Moontide Mod Sliced Tank Swimsuit, $199.99 NZD

• Lonely Zip Front Swimsuit, $195 NZD

S'all about straps

Whether you're into showing off your svelte hips, accentuating your waist or drawing attention to your decolletage, strap detailing is letting you highlight your very best bits this season. Back in the day when sunbathing was the norm, these types of swimsuits would have been a sun worshiper's worst nightmare. But since we Kiwis know the importance of slip, slop, slapping we don't need to be quite so worried about tan lines these days. If you've forever been a triangle bikini wearer all these straps and cut-outs may take a bit of getting used to, but we can see this trend sticking around like sand to your sunscreen, so why not take the plunge?

Left-right: Witchery Swim La Top and Bottom, Carena West Alice Top and Pant, Moontide Contours Dual Cup Underwire Bandeau and 50s Pant, Lonely Swim Cut Out Bikini and High Waist Brief.

• Witchery Swim La Top, $79.90 NZD and Witchery Swim La Bottom, $64.90 NZD

• Carena West Alice Top, $69 NZD and Alice Pant, $69 NZD

• Moontide Contours Dual Cup Underwire Bandeau, $99.99 NZD and 50s Pant, $59.99 NZD

• Lonely Swim Cut Out Bikini, $109 NZD and High Waist Brief, $99 NZD

Things to consider when trying on swimwear:

• If you have a larger bust, opt for a top with underwire that's sized like a bra, so you can choose your top and cup size and get a great fit.

• If you're not equally proportioned in the bust and behind, separates are the best option for you. You'll often find you'll have more to choose from in terms of shape and style while still keeping the pattern the same across both pieces.

• Don't be afraid to ask the sales assistant for advice. Like assistants in lingerie stores, they're often trained to help you get the best fit and might be able to suggest a style you'd never even thought of trying.

• Depending on the cut and shape of your bikini bottoms, you may need to try on a few different sizes to get the fit just right. For example, high-waisted bottoms may give you more room to move, whereas hipsters expose a lot more skin and may require you to go a size up.

• If you find the bikini top of your dreams, but the fit across the back isn't quite right or the straps are too long, don't be afraid to take it to an alterations place and get it tailored to fit you perfectly.

• Don't let bad fitting room lighting get you down. Try to focus on the overall fit and shape of the swimsuit and whether or not it suits you - remembering that florescent lights don't exist at the beach, thankfully.

-nzherald.co.nz