How to Wear a Bikini Confidently

Shopping for a Bikini

Bring a friend with you. Taking along a supportive friend or relative can help make shopping for a bikini become a fun social event. It’s also good to have a second set of eyes when trying on anything!

Know what colors are best for you. Wearing a color that flatters your skin tone can really boost your confidence. Black is always a great choice, but if you want to wear something colorful, pick a color that makes you look great! If your skin has warm tones, try an earth tone like olive green, coral, or brown. If your skin has cool tones, try shades of blue, purple, or gray. People with dark skin look fantastic in neons, whites, and other very bright colors. If you’re very pale, try jewel tones. Tanned skin looks great in metallic colors. Try matching your bikini with your hair or eye color. You can even pick a pattern that has your hair or eye color in it.

Pick a simple design. Don’t worry about what’s trendy this summer. If you’re worried about how you’ll look on the beach or at the pool, go for a bikini with a simple, classic design. That way, you won’t have to worry about whether all the straps are connected or if the fringe is tangled. Consider how much coverage you want from your bikini. This can range from very little (e.g. a bandeau) to a decent amount (e.g. tankini, high waisted briefs). There is no right or wrong choice, other than what you feel most comfortable wearing. You can also mix and match, going for say a bandeau top and a boyshort bottom.

Choose a cut that flatters you. Everyone’s body is different, so a bikini that looks amazing on your friend might not be the best choice for you. Try on several different styles and pick the most flattering one. If you have a large bust, make sure your top has wide, comfortable support straps. High-waisted bottoms look great on petite people or shoppers who want more stomach coverage. Try bottoms with adjustable ties if you’re pear-shaped. If you’d prefer to keep a little more covered, try a tankini or a bikini with boyshort bottoms or a matching sarong. If you want to accentuate a small bust, choose a top with ruffles. If you want to look slimmer, whether it's the top, bottom, or both, then choose darker colors. If you want to look curvier, choose lighter colors on top.

Try it on before buying it. Always try your bikini on, even if you’ve bought bikinis in the same brand before. Many manufacturers don’t have a standard size, and different cuts can fit the same body very differently. Most stores require you to leave your underwear on to try on bathing suits, so make sure you're wearing undergarments that are visible around the edges of the bikini bottom.

Bring several sizes into the fitting room. Bikinis are often sized differently from regular clothes and underwear. Having to leave the fitting room to change sizes can be upsetting, so bring a range of sizes in with you from the start. If you’re shopping for mix and match bikinis, make sure you have multiples sizes in tops and bottoms. It's totally normal to have two different sizes--one for your top and a different one for your bottom. If you have a larger chest, you can look for bikini tops by bra size. This is recommended because that way you'll be certain that the bikini top will fit you correctly. If buying online, know your size from existing bikinis or purchase two sizes. Give away the one that doesn't fit to a friend.

Move around in the fitting room. Make sure your bikini can stay in place--it needs to be able to withstand swimming, running, and stretching. Lift your arms, bend at the waist, and practice sitting down and getting up.

Go to more than one store. Don’t just buy the first bikini that looks okay on you--you want to look amazing! Go to a few different stores and buy the very best one you can afford. If you’ve got your friends and a good attitude, it will seem like a fun day out instead of a chore. Most of all, have fun choosing your bikini. Don't be afraid to mix and match and see what works best for you.

Going out in Your Bikini

Shave or wax for smoother skin. Taking care of stray hairs before you go out can increase your confidence. If you shave, use a new razor blade and plenty of shave gel so you get a close shave. If you wax, do it a day or two before you go out so any redness or irritation is gone.

Put on sunscreen. It’s hard to feel good about yourself when you’re sunburned! Make sure you put on sunscreen at least half an hour before you go out in the sun. Take advantage of the time to check your look one last time before heading out! You should reapply sunscreen every two hours, plus every time you go swimming or towel off. If you want to get a tan, choose a sunscreen or tanning oil with a low SPF. This will let you get some color while reducing the risk of burns. You can also try sunless tanning lotions or sprays.

Wear cute accessories. If you still feel a little uneasy, you can add some accessories to your bikini look--they’ll catch people’s attention and make you look fantastic. Put on a big pair of sunglasses for a chic Hollywood effect. If you aren’t going to be swimming much, try some statement jewelry like a chunky bracelet or big hoop earrings. A cute beach hat will give you a classic look. If you can’t wear a bikini by itself, try a sarong or a crocheted shirt. Cover-ups that don’t look like cover-ups can flatter your body and make you look and feel confident. Finish your look with cute sandals or beach shoes.

Go out with your best friends. Surrounding yourself with people who love and support you will increase your confidence. Plan a beach or pool day with your friends to debut your new bikini.

Concentrate on having fun. Going out in a bikini can be scary. Make an effort to focus on having a good time. Don’t compare yourself with other people or point out parts of your body that you don’t like. Instead, think about what you and your friends are doing, and tell yourself that you look great! Try playing a water game like Marco Polo or Chicken with your friends. If you'd rather relax on the beach, bring your favorite book.

Working on Yourself

Consider exercising. You don’t have to exercise if you don’t want to, but many people find that getting regular exercise improves their self-image and body confidence. You don’t have to join a gym or run a marathon. Start small by getting up and walking every hour, or doing ten jumping jacks every morning. The only way to reduce a body part's size or tone is to reduce your overall body fat, then exercise to tone that specific area. So if you want a smaller stomach, you can exercise to reduce fat everywhere, then do crunches or sit-ups to tone your stomach.

Drink lots of water. Drinking water helps clear your skin and can help reduce bloating. A healthy person should aim for between six and eight glasses of water daily. Try replacing juice, lattes, sodas, and alcohol with water for a few weeks before you head out in your bikini. Alcohol and caffeine are actually dehydrating, so cutting them out in favor of water is great for your overall health!

Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Don’t go on a crash diet. It’s very bad for your health and can harm your self-image. Replacing some processed foods and sodas with fresh produce and water can help you lose weight, reduce body acne, and improve your energy levels and confidence. Just don’t overdo it! Try eating a balanced meal of green salad, grilled chicken breast, and brown rice.

List what you like about your body. When you prepare to shop for a bikini, it can seem natural to focus on hiding your flaws. Try to resist that impulse. Instead, spend some time thinking about what you love about your body. Write your list down and read it whenever you feel less confident about yourself. Buying a bikini that highlights the parts of the body you love can really help your confidence!

Develop self-confidence by focusing on your strengths. Developing confidence and self-love is the most important part of being bikini-ready! Practice by complimenting yourself every day, seeking out friends who support you, and finding positive role models you admire.