Embrace each body: Confidence tips for beachwear this summer

The number one summer rule is that you should feel comfortable on the beach. Suppose you want to show off your body in a bikini – great. Suppose you prefer to cover up in a one-piece swimsuit – no problem. Remember, you don't have to feel self-conscious about anything. We're always ready for the beach, regardless of age or size.

Content published on social media often makes us feel embarrassed or even depressed. During the spring-summer season, a thought frequently crosses our minds: do I need a perfect body to go to the beach? Of course not. It’s harmful to compare yourself to models whose job is to follow strict diets and tough gym workouts.

Our bodies have texture, smaller or larger folds, or scars that carry a story. There's no reason to be ashamed of that. Of course, you can choose a one-piece swimsuit or a light cover-up – after all, comfort is paramount. But you should know that a bikini is not out of your reach.

Feeling confident on the beach is worth investing in a swimsuit that fits well and won't cause any surprises. This isn't just about water fun and the slightest movements, like bending over a beach bag. Those with larger busts face a particular challenge, as they are not easy to "tame". The key is proper shaping and support.

Fortunately, bra-fitting expert Izabela Sakutova offers help in this matter. It turns out that the key is going to a store where swimsuits have lingerie sizing systems. Popular chain stores should be set aside.

– If a woman with a larger bust does not have a well-fitting swimsuit in size and construction, going to the beach means constantly checking if the top is in place and adjusting it. Unfortunately, the expert says she has to give up pleasures like playing beach volleyball or carefree sea baths.

– Choose from brands whose swimsuits have a lingerie sizing system. So, let's avoid options available in sizes XS-XL. Our bodies are so beautifully diverse that it’s impossible to classify them within five size categories. Professional lingerie brands, available in bra-fitting salons, offer over 100 sizes of swimsuits to be perfectly tailored to the unique needs of our bodies – she informs.

– Therefore, the most important criterion when choosing a swimsuit should not be its colour, trendy pattern, or style, but above all a properly chosen size and solid construction that ensures proper support, stabilisation, and breast safety – emphasises Sakutova in an interview.

The bra-fitter explained that above all, one should avoid swimsuits sold in sets, as the top and bottom sizes are usually not the same. At the same time, she gave us some valuable tips. What kind of bikini top should those with large breasts invest in?

– Firstly, it’s worth choosing swimsuits with underwires built into the cups, which ensure a nicely gathered and shaped neckline and provide much better support for the bust. Secondly, focus on quality and choose swimsuits made of stable materials. They will keep the breasts in check even after leaving the water – she notes.

– When it comes to patterns, the rule is simple – avoid everything I recommend to girls with small breasts. Say "no" to large prints, ruffles, fringes, and volume-adding shiny materials. Ideal are small patterns and smooth cups without attached decorations – the expert adds.

A top with built-in cups and underwires is an absolute "must-have". Izabela Sakutova points primarily to models with wider straps, which are an integral part of the cups. However, it turns out that women with larger busts "don’t have to choose between support and tanning their shoulders" because they can opt for a bandeau top. Again, underwires and built-in, reinforced cups are sufficient.

And what about those with smaller, or even medium-sized breasts? There’s no doubt that in their case, soft, triangular cups with neck ties work best, which are one of the two elements of perhaps the most popular bikini model.

And although it’s often classified as youthful, it suits absolutely any woman. Regardless of age. Because remember, fashion knows no age, as proved many times by 59-year-old Grece Ghanem – a popular fashionista whose profile is followed by as many as 1.7 million Instagram users.