Some women fear the onset of warm weather because it brings with it the dreaded task of swimsuit shopping. Slipping on that form fitting bathing suit simply reminds them of the extra cupcakes they ate during cold weather months when their bodies were covered in loose sweaters. The good news is this. No one’s body is perfect and your own eyes are much less forgiving than the eyes of the general public who also feel a bit self conscious in their swimsuit. If you’re feeling out of shape, why not try using color and pattern to help you choose a fabulous figure flattering swimsuit?

Color and pattern play a key role in how a swimsuit looks on you. Subtle gradations in color and pattern can trick the eye visually and give the illusion of slimmer tummies and firmer behinds. Here are some tricks that will help you select a figure flattering swimsuit that naturally enhances the beauty of your body:

Use the Power of Color Blocks or Stripes
Blocks or stripes of color are a great way to hide those areas you’re not so proud of and enhance the ones you feel more comfortable with. Keep in mind that dark colors cause an area to recede while lighter ones create fullness. Bright colors also tend to give the illusion of more volume. When you select a one piece bathing suit, keep these principles in mind. If you’d like to play down your hips, choose a swimsuit with a dark color block in that region. You can further draw attention away from your hips, by having a light or bright color block on the upper portion of your body. As an example, for wide hips a simple one piece, tank style bathing suit with a black color block on the bottom and a white one on top can  be flattering.

To make your bust line appear fuller, choose a suit with block or stripe of bright color around the chest area. Another trick to slim down the body is to choose a tank style bathing suit with a black color block extending down each side. This tends to give the illusion of a more narrow body. If you want to look taller and slimmer, select a tank with vertical stripes. This principles can really work to enhance your natural physique.

Use the Power of Prints
Prints can also trick the eye and have an impact in how you look in a bathing suit. If you’re self conscious about being too thin, look for a figure flattering swimsuit with a bold, exciting print in bright colors. This applies to both one piece suits and bikinis. If you’re heavier and want to play down your size, you can still wear prints but choose a smaller one with a dark background and less contrast. This tends to have a slimming effect. You can use the color block concept here too. If you have a boyish upper body but carry a little too much around the hips, choose a swimsuit with a bold, graphic top and a simple, dark bottom. Prints have the power to subtly alter the way your body parts look in a swimsuit.

Use Fabric Texture Contrasts
Another principle to consider when choosing a figure flattering swimsuit is the texture of your fabric. If you have a slim, boyish figure, swimsuits made of shinier materials can be flattering as they tend to make you look larger. If you’re trying to play down certain areas, choose darker, duller, more opaque colors which will cause the eye to recede. Again, use this principle to play up the parts you want to enhance and draw the eye away from figure flaws.

Using the principles of pattern and color to select a figure flattering swimsuit can make the job of bathing suit shopping much more fun. Think of it as an artistic challenge and create the beach body you want to have this summer!