After winters of hiding in bulky clothing, the thought of standing naked in front of a full length mirror in an unfamiliar location is enough to give you the hives.Experts say there are ways to reduce the pain and maximize the gains.

First, be happy to know that there are many styles of swimsuits available today.

Michele Weston is editor-in-chief at online fashion magazine.

Experts say that a positive mindset is essential for successful swimsuit shopping.

Anne-Marie Blondeau, marketing director at Maillot-Baltex swimsuits, advises that you should go shopping when you feel confident about yourself or when you are in good spirits.

7 Tips to Shop Successfully

After you have your confidence built, this expert advice will help you navigate the swimsuit shopping season without losing your sanity.

Give your body what it requires. If you look at your lingerie before you buy a swimsuit, you’ll be less likely to cringe every time you gaze in the full-length mirror.

Andy Paige, beauty expert and Emmy-nominated NBC host, says that if you wear an underwire bra, and your bustline requires that support, then you should look for swimsuits that have an underwire bra. Start Over

Paige suggests the same for your bottom bathing suit. Choose a style and cut that is similar to the underwear you feel most confident in.

Paige says, “If your body is uncomfortable without shapewear, or if your body doesn’t like the way it looks in any other than a high-cut panty,” then you need to search for swimsuits that have these features.

Prioritize all your assets. Are you proud of your bust but have a slender stomach? Or a terrific waistline, but jiggly thighs?Silhouettes.com merchandising director Fran Kauchner advises making a list of your best assets before you hit the stores, then looking for suit features that flatter the top three things on your list.

Kauchner says, “If you know what you want, you will minimize the amount of ‘bad’ choices you make.” This, in turn, will keep you from feeling down and leaving empty-handed.

Get a bigger size. Have you found a suit that looks promising and are eager to put it on? Paige suggests that you take two sizes before you go to the dressing room. One in the same size as you think you are and one in a larger size. She suggests that you try the larger size first.

Paige says, “There’s nothing worse than trying on a suit you love only to discover that we have to squish to get it on.”

Sizes of swimsuits vary greatly from one line to the next, as well as style to style. Paige says that you will feel much better if your swimsuit is a smaller size than one you are if you go up.

She says, “The first glance in the mirror is always less shocking when your clothes are a bit too big or too small.”

Sandals are a must. Paige suggests that you bring sandals to the beach, no matter the weather.

She says that nothing looks worse than a bathing costume paired with winter shoes or socks. You won’t be able to see the suit in person and will feel the difference.

Choose a store where you feel comfortable. If you love the styles a store carries but find its sales help (or even the other customers)intimidating, you’re less likely to come home with a suit you love, says Blondeau.

She also recommends that you “avoid highly trafficked shopping times- with weekdays being better than weekends and mornings being better than afternoons or evenings.” This is especially important when the dressing rooms are shared. You will feel less intimate if there are fewer people.

Don’t underestimate the power and convenience of mail-order. Your suits will be delivered to your doorstep.

Kauchner says, “You can try it out in your own home. You can bend, stretch, sit down and move around and see yourself from all angles.” You can get the perfect fit by buying at least three different sizes of suits, and you can return any that don’t work for you. All this while you are on your own schedule.

Wear a Thong. Nearly all shops require that you wear underwear while trying on swimsuits. Paige says that there is nothing more distracting than trying to put on a swimsuit with loose, baggy panties that will crumple under the suit. A thong or bikini bottom will make any suit look better.

Apply a fake tan. The darker your skin tone, Paige says, the more sallow you will look when you first look at the full-length mirror. She says, “It’s all the flesh coming into view all of a sudden that shocks you.” You can counter this by applying self-tanner before you shop. Paige says that tanniness not only makes you appear slimmer but also gives you a summer mindset. You can see the suit you will wear once you have picked up some summer color, even if it is in a bottle.

Paige says that tanniness not only makes you appear slimmer but also gives you a summer mindset. You can see the suit you will wear once you have picked up some summer color, even if it is in a bottle.

Find the right suit for you

Let’s face the facts: Even if the shopping conditions are ideal, you’ll still have to go through hundreds of suits before finding the right one. Here are eight ways to save time and find styles that work.

• Use large bold prints in dark and light combinations to camouflage bumps or bulges. To match, get a pareoor wrap.
• To conceal a stomach. A skirted suit is the best option. Paige suggests that you choose one with a high-rise, sleeveless style, and edges that rise at the sides in a “shirttail”. Paige says this will make your legs appear longer and make the skirt more flirty.
• To reduce a full midsection, Weston suggests a one-piece suit or tankini-style top with ablouson.
• You can create curves everywhere you want. Weston suggests a deep Vhalter top with high-cut legs that will fill out your figure. This will give you curves and not bumps and lumps.
• A large waist and hips can be distracting. Blonde au suggests that a suit with a high neckline and a low cut will create balance between the upper body and lower body. Blonde au says that a solid-colored bottom with a printed top can minimize hips.
• To slim your chest, wear a halter-style top.
• Enhance a small bust with a bright or printed suit and an underwire bra.
• A one-piece suit with tummy lift panels and derriere lift panels is best for overall control. You can also choose a two-piece suit with an interior support panel and a bottom that touches your belly button.

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