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Advice: Buying Swimwear Online

The choice of swimwear for women is better than ever and now, with an increasing range of swimwear available in bra cup sizes rather than just dress sizes, its easier to find a swimsuit, tankini or bikini which fits well and is comfortable and flattering.

Figleaves stocks a wide range of swimwear which includes tops up to a J cup. It's important to support a larger bust with a structured top, perhaps an underwired balconette style if you are bigger than a C cup. Wider straps and cleavage-enhancing halter necks are flattering for bigger busts. Smaller busted women can accentuate their petite tops with a flattering bandeau top or perhaps opt for a lightly padded halter-neck top with ruffles to add volume and curves.

Don't buy in haste - you don't want to make a mistake. Allow yourself plenty of time to try on several different styles, brands and sizes. By ordering your swimwear online you can take advantage of many of the free returns offers available and order a selection of swimwear to try on at home, taking your time and ensuring you find the perfect piece of swimwear.

M&S Swimwear offers many of its bikini tops in bras sizes and you can buy the bottoms separately. They also have a wide range of colourful tankinis, swimsuits, post surgery swimwear, beachwear and holiday accessories.

Identify your best bits - focus on the areas you would like to accentuate, not the bits you want to hide. If you have a great bust, a slim waist or fab legs you can choose the right swimwear to draw attention to your best features and away from the areas you're not so keen on.

John Lewis Online has several figure-flattering shapes of bikini, tankini and swimsuit in beautiful colours and prints.

Choose the right colour for your skin tone - black is a classic colour but can leave you looking drained although chocolate brown can be a flattering alternative for many people. Bright blues and turquoises complement pale skin and coral shades are pretty and flattering. If you already have a light golden tan then red may be the colour for you and olive skins look great in yellow or aubergine. Dark skin looks fabulous with bright colourful prints.

Lands End has a good choice of swimwear for all body types including long torso and plus sizes. They also have different bra styles within their swimwear eg shelf bras, underwires and soft cup bras plus D and DD cup tops.

Shape up - find the best swimwear for your shape, for example pear shapes look great in plunging necklines which draw attention to a trim upper half and small waist. Mix and match separates can help if you pair a patterned top with a plain, darker coloured bottom. If you want to lengthen the look of your legs then try a slightly higher cut bikini bottom or adjustable side-tie bottoms. Boy-short style bottoms provide more coverage plus they look fantastic on athletic figures and work well if you want to balance out a curvy top half. If you are sensitive about your stomach then look out for swimwear with tummy control panels. Tankinis will give you a little more coverage than a bikini and are also useful if you find standard one-pieces uncomfortable especially if you have a long torso.