Suit yourself

Press, 6 October 1987, Page 21

Suit yourself

SWIMSUITS hide few faults, but there are ways to minimise figure flaws. Choose costumes with care. Be honest in your self-appraisal; stand well back from fittingroom mirrors and look at. your silhouette from all sides. Take off your shoes, high heels give a distorted view. )

Never think this will look good if I lose weight, buy for the way you are and if that is not the way you wish to be do something about it, don't dream. Regular exercise and diet are the only ways to improve. Trying to squeeze into a smaller size is no use.

If your skin tone is, not firm avoid deep-cut armholes, which on a toned shape can look terrific. Shoestring straps cutting into flabby flesh are not attractive either, choose a wider strap which sits flat.

Very high-cut leg lines are rarely flattering; try a mid-cut, this can sometimes look better than a low-cut which can give a pear-shaped effect. Halter necks can give a similar bottom-heavy look, a deep scoop is more flattering. While horizontal stripes are obviously only for the slim, bigger women should not shy away from patterned fabrics.

A good look at the moment draws on aerobics gear. The all-in-one costume with a patterned top and plain bottom. This can cut the figure in two, particularly if the solid fabric ends horizontally, but if it has a diagonal shape the effect can be slimming.

Women wanting to emphasise their curves should only wear belts in contrast colours if they do indeed have a naturally well-defined waist. To give the impression of greater shape, look for shirred sides and front insets.

Darker shades are likewise slimming, but a pale, pudgy person in black might be better opting for the lowered contrast of a pastel shade. And remember swimming is one of the best ways of staying in shape.

Details— Model: Sophie Havinghurst (Pieter’s Agency) photographed at Rapaki Bay and Sumner by Peter Bannan. All bathing suits supplied by Top Shop.