Chic Swimwear To Suit Every Shape

Having total confidence while sporting your swimwear isn’t a matter of flipping a switch and deciding you’re ready to bare all at the beach. It’s about finding the exact right swimsuit for your body shape, one that makes you feel comfortable and stylish all at the same time.

This usually involves one of my favourite things – trying on all the swimsuits you can to see what works best for you. To get started, here are a few of my favourite cuts and styles, with variations that look great on just about everyone.

Tankini

I love a good tankini because it has all the fun and flare of a two piece but the coverage of a one piece. There are a wide selection of different styles in this year’s swimwear range from Figleaves, not least because you can mix and match with different coloured bottoms or go with the classic set. Tankinis are especially great if you love wearing a two piece but aren’t totally comfortable showing off your stomach. Think of it as training wheels for a bikini once you’ve got your beach confidence up, but it’s still a perfectly lovely option on its own.

Classic bikini

You don’t have to be a specific size to wear a bikini – these swimwear staples are for everybody. That said, they come in about as many shapes and sizes as you can think of, and the different styles can be used to accentuate different parts of your body.

There are bandeau tops for women with smaller busts and sturdier tops with underwire to help support larger ones. Halter necks are great for cutting lines into wider shoulders, while boy shorts provide maximum coverage in the hip area. But above all, it’s about wearing what you want, and looking amazing while you do it.

Swim-dress

It’s a swimsuit, it’s a dress, it’s a swim-dress! Swim dresses are not only adorable but incredibly versatile – that whole I-don’t-feel-comfortable-wearing-my-bikini-to-the-shop problem is no longer a thing. Plus, its flowy cut will taper away from the body and give you more room to breathe. Swim-dresses like this cute, spotty one from Sainsbury’s swimwear line give you enough coverage to transition from beach- or pool-side to back-on-the-street in, well, no time at all.

High waisted bikini

High waisted bikinis are essentially tankinis but in reverse. You’ve got much of the coverage of a one piece, but the fun of a two, except the coverage this time is coming from the bottom. They ooze retro glamour while still being ultra-contemporary, especially when you add a cute print or flash of bling into the mix. What’s more is, you’ve still got the versatility of bikini tops, so if you want to highlight your upper half while maintaining a little more coverage below, you’re in good hands.

One piece

Ah, the classic all-rounder. Everyone looks good in a one piece swimsuit. That’s because they come in so many shapes and sizes. You can wear a one piece with a low V in the front or the back, high up on your hips, with a ruched middle or cut-outs along the sides. Whatever you fancy, there’s a one piece to suit your body type. I can pretty much guarantee it.

The more swimsuit types you’ve got on hand in your closet, the better. What’s your favourite poolside style?

Bedroom Makeovers for Autumn/Winter

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When I get round to sprucing my place up, I often like to start with the bedroom; it's where you start the day, after all, so a beautiful environment to wake up in can only be a good thing! Here's a look at some of this season's trends and ideas for updating your bedroom.

Beds

The bed is a great place to start, especially if yours is feeling a little tired. Most people are aware of the importance of a good night's sleep these days, and a new bed doesn't have to cost the earth. One idea to consider if you're changing colour schemes, leaving you with soft furnishings and other clutter that you don't really want to chuck out, is an ottoman bed. The mattress lifts up to reveal a storage area underneath, useful for extra pillows and the like - or anything else you'd rather not have on public display! Bedstar have a good range with plenty of options in neutral colours.

Colours

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Colour scheme choices are particularly important in the bedroom. For some people, relaxed, calming tones make it easier to get to sleep, while others like a more vibrant palette to help them get going in the morning. Mixing the two doesn't often work! You probably don't want to be redecorating every six months, so it's worth taking a tip from the luxury hotel chains if you're in doubt; neutral, calming tones seem to be most popular with those who run businesses based on keeping sleepy customers happy. You can always jazz the room up with colourful pillows, lampshades and so on. Natural fabrics are always popular; Sainsbury's "Indigo" range, new for autumn, includes bedding and soft furnishings in deep but relaxing blues.

Rustic Schemes

If you fancy a warmer, more rustic scheme, that's another way to go this season while staying fashionable. A couple of items of weathered oak furniture - say a chest of drawers and a nightstand - can look wonderful in a rustic themed bedroom. The Cotswold Company have a nice range of oak storage pieces, including small units that'll fit in an alcove. Tartan is looking like a popular theme this season as well, so a blanket or a few cushions can be deployed to give a splash of colour. Terry's Fabrics have ideas for both bold red tartan styles and more neutral, beige toned versions like "Balmoral Rosso".

Ultimately, the bedroom is perhaps the most personal room in the house, and how you choose to decorate it is down to you; but remember that clean, calm, uncluttered design will generally assist with a better night's sleep, whether you go for bright, "morning-person" colours - or the other way!

*In collaboration with Slap Up Media.