Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for weight loss, body toning and weight maintenance. However, if your belly and thighs are currently larger than you would like them to be, you may feel uncomfortable or self-conscious wearing a swimsuit. Strategic choices about the type of swimsuit you wear can help you find a flattering suit that makes you feel confident while swimming or hanging out poolside.
Swimsuit Types
Size is always relative, and the size of your belly and thighs will appear greater if your swimsuit covers a smaller area. A string bikini, for example, will make your belly and thighs appear relatively large. A one-piece swimsuit will hide your stomach and will be especially flattering if the fabric on the stomach area has a dark color. Another alternative is a two-piece swimsuit of the "tankini" style, which combines a tank-style top half with a bikini bottom or shorts.
Swimsuit Design
One-piece or two-piece swimsuits are often available with an inbuilt swimming skirt. If you want to disguise or hide large thighs, a skirt design can be flattering. The colors and patterns of your swimsuit can also play a part in either camouflaging or accentuating a large belly and thighs. Large blocks of a single color will make your stomach appear relatively small, whereas a small and fussy design will emphasize the overall area of your torso. Horizontal stripes will make your torso appear wider, while vertical stripes have a slimming effect.
Control Panels
Many swimsuits are available with an inbuilt tummy-control panel. Such a panel works in the same way as control-top pantyhose -- your stomach is compressed and held in by the control panel. A control panel makes your stomach appear instantly flatter, however, vigorous swimming may be uncomfortable in a swimsuit with a control panel. Additionally, the tight control panel may reduce your ability to take deep breaths and could constrict the circulation of blood around your body.
Considerations
The type of swimsuit that is best for you will depend on what kind of use you are planning to get from it. If you are planning to wear your swimsuit only for workout sessions at the local pool, a comfortable, athletic-style one-piece or tankini swimsuit would be best for you. If you are planning to hang around in your swimsuit without a great deal of swimming -- on a beach vacation, for example -- you may wish to purchase a structured swimsuit with a tummy control panel and a swim skirt or sarong to hide your thighs. The appearance of your stomach can also be minimized if you wear a swimsuit that increases the apparent size of your bust -- padded and underwired bras in swimsuits will make your belly appear smaller in relation to your chest. However, such swimsuits are not particularly comfortable for serious athletic use.
References
- "Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin"; The swimsuit becomes us all: ethnicity, gender, and vulnerability to self-objectification; M. Hebl, et al.; October 2004
- Swimsuits That Flatter Every Body Shape
- "The Telegraph"; Good Buy Swimwear Guide; 3 January 2007
- "Biofeedback and Self-Regulation"; The Effect of Clothing on Inhalation Volume; E.MacHose, et al.; September 1991
- Free Beauty Tips.org: Bathing Suit Tips
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