With the smell of Spring in the air and the days getting longer, it is hard NOT to crave a trip to a season-less destination where the Piña Colada’s (with extra coconut for me) are flowing and the chic warm weather fashion is all around. Whether that means the Almafi Coast, Miami, or a local beach for you – a flattering swimsuit is a must. With the beach on your mind, what better way to make room in your life for a vacation than to find the perfect swimmy? After all, the Universe sends you your desires when you hold a space for them.

Selfie-ing at the Four Season’s Miami in my favorite Zulu and Zephr bikini top.

I have fluctuated sizes throughout my adult life from teeny tiny to curvy and I have worn just about every style of swimsuit. My bod mainstays: a long torso and not Kendall Jenner long legs. My fluctuations: boobs and butt. Currently, my curves are very present and while I’m not mad about it – it does make eye-balling and finding swimsuits online challenging.

A few key things I’ve come to realize after buying lots of swimsuits:

1: Dramatic Silhouettes: When it comes to bikinis, the goal is to elongate your legs or elongate your torso, depending on your body type. I love a high cut leg for my ladies that have shorter legs (these crinkle bikini bottoms from ASOS are my favorite) or a dramatic low rise bottom for my girls with long legs. Think Brazilian cut.

2. Material: Identify whether you are in the mood for a slinky material or a forgiving one. Slinky material tends to be more revealing. I like to mix and match materials, like Blue Crush.

3. Color Story: I like to stick to a black, white, and red color story with a pop of patterns. Don’t worry, I go outside patterns other than stripes. I use the same strategy that I do with materials, I like to keep one solid color piece and a pop of a pattern – whether its the top or bottom. The majority of the time, I wear solid swim pieces, but sometimes I like to get crazy and add a pattern.

A little note from Reb on swimsuits

I have the shortest torso known to man (but seriously) so often swimsuit shopping is a struggle for me! The one-piece pictured above is the ONLY one that I have been able to find that doesn’t just completely gap around the middle. SO, it is very important to me to consider my body type when shopping for suits, just like Cath said! Unfortunately one pieces, however chic, are not ideal for us gals with long legs and shot torsos!

One last Thing: I also tend to stick to simple bra-style and strapless bandeaus, as to avoid any crazy tan lines. I also find that these styles are more flattering for most body types! I wore the zip-up Calvin Klein suit pictured below on the first day in the Dominican Republic and I will never make that mistake again! I looked like I was a lobster wearing a turtleneck after the first day LOLLLL.

Drop a note in the comments below with any other questions about finding the right swimsuit for you!