Typically, summer is a time to leave frustration aside. One common stressor disrupting the “summertime, and the livin's easy” mantra is finding that perfect beach bikini. Your worries are over; with our five-step guide to finding your perfect bikini match, you’ll be able to look and feel great at the shore this summer.

1. Material: Bathing suits want to hug your body not only in the right places, but in a way that’s both enhancing and lifting. When examining bikinis, your best bet it to check the tag for polyamide and elastine/spandex. Polyamide is a nylon which is interwoven with the bikini’s spandex material to hold the suit together. Your safest best is to find a bathing suit which has a greater polyamide ratio to spandex, which creates the most flattering look. Check out the new Vix Cruise 09 line of bikinis which incorporate these two materials. 

2. Size: Don’t become obsessed about being a small, medium or large. When it comes to bathing suits, the only way you know for sure what is going to fit is if you try it on. As a competitive swimmer for 12 years, I try on every single bathing suit, even though I’ve been the same size for years. Each designer’s line of bikinis varies in size, whether they are sized numerically or alphabetically, you must try them all on. No excuses.

3. Cut: Sure, moderate coverage tops and bottoms are being worn by women strutting down the Atlantic City boardwalk this summer, but that look isn’t always the most flattering. Every woman’s body is different, so be sure to highlight your best assets. If you are tall and thin, try on Letarté’s Vintage Hawaiian, which offers an adjustable, skimpy bottom with a lifting bikini top. If you are the athletic type, show off your bod with Athleta’s Tow-In bikini top and Low Tide bottom, so you can catch a wave without losing your suit. For the curvier ladies, try on the Profile by Gottex line, which will accent your best features without showing too much skin.

4. Color: Everyone has their favorite color, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your love for lime green will work on a bikini. If you have a fair skin tone, stay away from pastels and whites. Go for something that will radiate with your light skin and freckles like the Slinky Solids plum bikini by L*space. If you have that summer tan, show it off with a bright-colored bikini.

5. Pattern: Easy on the pattern. Like color, this could destroy the look of a suit that fits perfectly. Vertical stripes are a no-no as they will always make you look wider. But if you love those flirty patterns on bikinis, check out Ondademar. Tan or not, the Artsy two-piece by Ondademar has all the right colors for a great summer bikini.


Now that your know what bikini will work for you, head into Cameo Water Wear on 1420 Walnut Street--they have some of our favorite watet wear!