Material

• The material and construction of your suit plays a major role in how it fits. If you have a full bust, you need a suit with built-in support. Some suits are made with under-wire, while others have elastic bands that tighten the suit and lift the chest. Lifting the chest also defines your waist, giving your body a slimmer, hourglass shape.
  
  Some swimming suit styles have hidden panels that flatten and smooth figure flaws. Though you do not want your suit uncomfortably tight, the panels will firm your figure flaws and make your body look toned.
  
  

Pattern and Color

• Using pattern and color to hide your figure flaws is one of the most effective ways to improve your look. Black swimsuits are as slimming as black pants and skirts. Navy blue and chocolate brown serve the same purpose if you want the same effect without such a traditional look.
  
  Pattern also enables you to distract from your flaws. If you have a large bottom or wide hips, choose a suit with a busy pattern on top to draw the eye upward. Those with a large chest can choose suits with bright bottoms, cut high on the thigh to draw attention to long legs and shapely hips.
  
  

Two-Piece Suits

• Though full-figured women may lack the confidence to wear a traditional bikini, they can choose a full-covered two-piece, sometimes called a tankini. Two-piece suits also come in short and shirt combinations, offering fuller coverage on the lower half of the body.
  
  The advantages of wearing a two-piece swimming suit when you are full-figured include the ability to buy different sizes if necessary, and also to balance your upper and lower body. If your lower half is larger than your upper half, a bold print on top will draw the attention upward.
  
  Two-pieces also enable you to cover more on the top or bottom of your body. If you want a modest look on top, but you love showing off your long, shapely legs, pair a tank-style top with a string-style bottom.
  
  

Accessorize

• Few people consider wearing accessories with a swimsuit because it is a utilitarian piece. If your focus is on swimming, accessories will not be an option. However, if your main concern is looking great on the beach while you stroll or you plan to forgo swimming, accessories are an effective way to flatter your full figure.
  
  Accessories and cover-ups work with swimsuits as they do with regular clothing, so you can distract from your figure flaws. If you want to reduce a tummy bump or hips that are too curvy, pair a large necklace or brightly colored scarf with your swimsuit. You can accent an hourglass figure with a belt over a one-piece suit or accentuate shapely legs with high heel sandals.