With the mercury hitting a scorching 31C, sun-seekers will be eager to make the most of the weather with a sociall-distanced trip to the park or beach, but are you brave enough for a bikini after all that lockown snacking?
To embrace the warm weather without feeing self-consicous, an expert has revealed how to choose the right swimming costume for your figure.
Award-winning UK stylist Susie Hasler, who runs Styled By Susie, explained how those with an hourglass should opt for with a swimsuit with a nipped-in waist.
Meanwhile the expert revealed how styles with a zip front will flatter every figure.
HOURGLASS
Susie said: ‘Ruching is great for minimising the tummy and patterns work well for your shape.’ Pictured left: Plunge Shape Enhancing Swimsuit from Next, £35. Mantaray, Pale Grey ‘Waikiki’ Floral Print Underwired Padded Swimsuit, £27.30 (right)
The hourglass figure is perfectly balanced and in proportion with great waist definition, according to Susie.
Women with this shape would best suit styles that accentuate their perfect proportions and accentuate the waist.
Susie advised: ‘Look for V and scoop necklines to flatter the bust and draw the eye towards your slimmest part – the waist.’
‘Ruching is great for minimising the tummy and patterns work well for your shape.’
The leading stylist recommended looking for animal prints and revealed how bolder stripes were more flattering than thinner ones.
Susie advised shopping high-cut, high-waisted bottoms, if you are in the market for a two-piece to accentuate a silhouette and lengthen the legs.
She said retro styles such as halter-necks or sweetheart necklines will also work well.
Celebrity Hourglasses: Holly Willoughby, Kelly Brook, Nigella Lawson.
RECTANGLE
Susie revealed how hipster-style bottoms will add curves to a rectangle shape. Pictured: Savana Palm Multiway Bikini, Tucca Swim, £98. Pictured right: Public Desire cut out swimsuit in cobalt blue
The stylist revealed how women with a rectangle shape are slender with a lack of waist definition but said they are able to carry off many styles.
Susie said: ‘If you’re looking for a new swimsuit to wear at the beach or just lazing in the garden, look for ruffles, prints, patterns and even strapless styles.’
‘Hipster-style bottoms will add curves to your shape, while padded tops will fill out the bust.
‘You can also look for added details such as belts, interesting straps and even cut out styles to add texture and definition to the style (just be careful of dodgy tan lines!).’
Celebrity Rectangles: Duchess of Cambridge, Fearne Cotton, Jennifer Aniston.
APPLE
Susie recommended big, bold patterns to skim over the tummy area and accentuate an apple’s great legs. Pictured left: Tummy Control Floral Wrap Plunge Swimsuit, Marks and Spencer, £28. Black Daisy Cold Shoulder Swimsuit, Yours, £30.59 (right)
Susie revealed that apple-shaped women have narrow shoulders and hips but tend to carry most of their bulk around the bust and tummy area.
She explained: ‘They also have great legs that should be accentuated by wearing the right outfits, and lower necklines to show off their fabulous boobs.
‘V and scoop necks work best and if you’re going for strappy – ensure the straps are thick and supportive.’
‘Go for big, bold patterns to skim over the tummy and don’t hide away in a safe black swimsuit.’
Celebrity Apples: Catherine Zeta Jones, Pink, Jennifer Hudson.
PEAR
Pictured: Whistles Tort One Shoulder Swimsuit, Black, John Lewis, £60. Right: Next, Rik Rak Sports Swimsuit, £32
Women with a pear-shaped frame have narrow shoulders, broad hips and small waists.
Susie explained that the key for those with the shape is balancing out your style by focusing on the top half of your figure.
The expert said: ‘Technically a pear should stick to plain on the bottom and party on the top.
‘However there are some pear shapes that can break these rules (that’s where a bespoke analysis comes into play).’
She recommended ruffled bikini tops, high neckline swimsuits and high-cut bottoms to create a balanced illusion.
However she advised those with a pear shape should avoid ruffles and stripes on the bottom half, as well as low-rise bikini bottoms.
Celebrity Pears: Emma Willis, Kimberley Walsh, Kim Kardashian.
STRAWBERRY
Pictured left: FIGLEAVES, Icon Milan Non Wired Plunge Ladder Shaping Swimsuit, £55. Right: FREYA SWIM, Beach Hut Underwired Bandless Halter, £34
Susie revealed how strawberry shapes vary greatly and are typically broader on the top than bottom, with broad shoulders and a small bust or a full bust with narrow hips.
The stylist said those with this figure should draw attention to the smaller parts of their figure.
She explained: ‘Attention should be drawn to their narrowest part so you can go for bikinis with ruffled bottoms.
‘Look for tops with deep V necks and avoid strapless and strappy styles at all costs.’
Celebrity Strawberries: Cindy Crawford, Salma Hayek, Billie Faiers.
ALL SHAPES
The award-winning stylist revealed how zip-up swimsuits flatter all body shapes and are practical for mothers who are running around after their children. Pictured left: Secret Slimming™ Zip-Up Printed Swimsuit, Marks and Spencer. Pictured right: Neon Mulitcoloured Tropical Leaf Maxi Cover Up, Yours Clothing, £16.19
The award-winning stylist also advised how zip-up swimsuits flatter all body shapes because you can adjust the neckline to suit your figure.
She added that they could be particularly practical for mothers who are running around after their children.
Susie said: ‘You can unzip them when you sunbathe and then zip them up again while bending down, making sandcastles or putting suncream on little ones.’
And gone are the days of the sarong, with more flattering and versatile cover-ups taking its place.
‘These suit all body shapes and the beauty of them is that many can be dressed up for evening wear to give you more wear,’ Susie said.