To dress well

Swimwear is challenging to shop for: While it’s all designed for water play and quick drying, we still want to look good — and that’s what gets tricky.

For men and women alike, swimsuits are the most revealing clothes worn in public. A lot of us feel self-conscious showing that much skin. Don’t worry, though. There are so many styles and options that everyone should be able to find the perfect swimsuit.

Men have a much easier time than women: We swim in a variation of shorts. The type of swim trunks a guy should wear, though, depends on his physique.

The average guy looks best in flat-front swim trunks (meaning no elastic visible from the front) that hit at the knee. This fit draws attention away from mid-section problems, and the length is universally flattering.

For tall swimmers, board shorts are acceptable. The extra long legs shorten board short wearers, and for this reason, this cut tends to look the best on long-legged people.

Guys who hang out at the gym and have toned bodies to show off will want to look at square-cut trunks or true swim trunks. The first are an aquatic hybrid of boxer briefs and a Speedo, adding a retro spin (as well as decency) to skimpy men’s water wear. The latter usually have elastic around the entire waist and hit above the knee, offering a flattering alternative to more typical swimwear.

For women, it’s not so easy. With a much wider variety of body shapes, it is important to know what to look for. Cut and styles aside, women should first and foremost feel comfortable in their swimsuits. The confidence of a comfortable, flattering swimsuit is what every woman strives for: This comes with finding a good fit. When trying swimsuits on, think of sizing as flexible: Many wear a larger size in swimsuits than they do athletic wear. Be sure to move around in the fitting room, stretching your arms up, squatting, sitting and bending over. Ask yourself: Is it comfortable? Does it ride up anywhere? Does everything stay where you want it? Any bulges the swimsuit causes are usually a sign to try the next size up.

For figure troubleshooting, there are many styles that hide problem spots and allow the assets to shine through.

One-piece swimsuits with ruching around the middle do an excellent job of slimming the waist, while tankinis offer the comfort of two-piece suits while drawing attention to the shoulders and bust instead of the stomach.

Prominent hips and butts can be played down with boy shorts or skirted bottoms. On one- or two-piece bathing suits, a square bottom edge across the hips covers more while adding a stylish edge to the more typical bikini styles.

To accentuate a slender build, ruffles, ruching, skirted bottoms and lightly padded tops can emphasize or create curves. A two-piece is usually better in this case, and remember that this body shape makes it easier to wear lighter, flirtier styles than many other builds. Anything that sits low on the hips accentuates curves, as do one-piece suits with cutouts on the sides.

For those endowed with curves and more voluptuous bust lines, look to fuller coverage, thicker straps or tops with an underwire to maintain good support. On one- or two-piece suits, think about shoulder straps instead of halter styles. These not only help balance the fuller figure, but also are better for the shoulders and neck.

Color also makes a big difference. Dark colors are always slimming, as are vertical stripes. One-piece suits with a thick band of dark color down each side help streamline the silhouette. Similarly, a wide horizontal band of color across the hips or bust draws attention to the width of slender frames, helping to create the illusion of curves.

As soon as the summer weather (or vacation, for those who can’t stand waiting for sun in Seattle) comes, be prepared to stun at the beach in your excellent swimwear, armed with the confidence that only being stylish can give.