Five swimsuit myths get blown out of the water

  • By Wendy Donahue Chicago Tribune
  • Monday, July 27, 2015 4:02pm
  • Life

High-rise bikini bottoms, except on Taylor Swift, strike some people as the scariest trend to hit swimwear since the sharks along North Carolina’s shoreline.

Whether a woman sees these bottoms as forgiving or unforgivable, she can’t blame them for resurfacing. Ample precedent has been set for their summer 2015 return. Retro high-waisted shorts have been retraining eyes for a few seasons now. So have crop tops with high-rise skirts or pants.

Then there’s the ado about granny panties shooing thongs out of young women’s lingerie drawers. Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Jenner and other celebs have been flaunting them under mesh or lace skirts.

Yet like so much of swimwear, high-rise bikini bottoms are often misunderstood. Swimwear designers including Mara Hoffman and Cynthia Rowley, stylist/TV star/author Stacy London and other fashion experts offered a reality check on five myths surrounding swimwear flattery and comfort, tied to this summer’s trends.

Myth 1: High-rise bikini bottoms minimize the midsection. Yes, this bottom has a built-in “control top,” but this proportion also accentuates what it covers, both from front and behind. If you prefer to deflect attention from this zone, designer Cynthia Rowley points to surf staples. “Cover up in more ways than one — a rash guard or wetsuit is great for SPF protection but also hides those morning doughnuts,” she said. Other options include a print one-piece with eye-catching cutouts, a tankini with a flare top, a one-piece with ruching along the torso and a flirty shirred skirt-style suit. A higher-cut leg also can balance proportions.

Myth 2: The bikini should be left to the young and thin. “The bikini can be worn by more women!” Stacy London said, citing new proportions that aren’t limited to high-waisted bottoms. Bralette tops that cover more territory accommodate larger bustlines. As for smaller bustlines, swim designer Mara Hoffman discourages over-padding as opposed to embracing one’s shape. (That said, if a top has zero padding, London suggests “deperkifying” with Silicone CoverUps from Hollywood Fashion Secrets, for which she serves as a brand ambassador.)

Myth 3: The larger the bottom, the more forgiving the fit. “Oftentimes, it is the reverse,” Hoffman said. A suit that is too big anywhere can shift in unwelcome ways and compromise support. Though many women would prefer a root canal, it’s best to try on a suit in a store, one known for a knowledgeable sales staff. If you shop online, compare your current measurements with the site’s fit guide.

Myth 4: Black is absolutely the most slimming color. “A deep blue like navy or dark charcoal gray can be just as flattering,” said Suzanne Bryant, senior vice president of women’s design at Tommy Bahama. “Also, depending on your skin tone, deep olive and rich brown tones can also be slimming and very chic.”

Myth 5: A tan doesn’t matter. “A darker body just looks slimmer than a pale one,” said Miguelina Gambaccini, designer and founder of luxury beachwear brand Miguelina. But self-tanning formulations are generally safer than baking in the sun. Consider Sephora’s tinted self-tanning mist, ($16) or tap a few drops of Clarins Golden Glow Booster for Body to your regular body lotion (1 ounce, $45), for a golden glow in any season.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

A stroll on Rome's ancient Appian Way is a kind of time travel. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves on the Appian Way, Rome’s ancient superhighway

Twenty-nine highways fanned out from Rome, but this one was the first and remains the most legendary.

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

The 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV has room for up to six or seven passengers, depending on seat configuration. (Photo provided by Kia)
Kia’s all-new EV9 electric SUV occupies rarified air

Roomy three-row electric SUVs priced below 60 grand are scarce.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD (Photo provided by Toyota)
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD

The compact SUV electric vehicle offers customers the ultimate flexibility for getting around town in zero emission EV mode or road-tripping in hybrid mode with a range of 440 miles and 42 mile per gallon fuel economy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.