The Perfect Swim Suits For Your (Greek) Body

By: Toni Gasparis[author ]Toni Gasparis is a student at Loyola University Maryland who aspires to become an editor. Two of her favorite things? Her Yiayia’s koulourakia and Greek dancing in heels until her feet hurt. [/author]

Summer is in full swing and that means one thing—the beach. Most girls love the beach: the sand, the waves, the boardwalk, French fries and the hot guys. However, most girls dread beach season because that means they have to wear bathing suits.

Starting in January, our New Years resolutions are always to go on a diet to start working towards an “ideal” beach bod for the summer. But you don’t need to lose ridiculous amounts of weight in order to look and feel good on the beach, you just need to know how to dress for your body type.

Here’s the guide to help you do just that!

     Koulourgia  

Consider yourself lucky because you have the figure that every man thinks is attractive. Also known as the hourglass figure, which means you’ve got it going on in all the right places—a well-endowed chest, a nice-sized bum, and a slender waist creates a perfect silhouette.   Because of your proportional figure, pretty much any bathing suit, bikini or one piece, can flatter you. However, there are some styles that can highlight your assets perfectly.

-If you choose to wear a one piece, then get one with ruching in order to highlight your waste line.
-For a bikini-wearer it would be wise to chose a bandeau or  halter top for support…those skimpy triangle cups will not  give your boobs the support they need and will make them  look saggy.
-For either type of swimsuit, a halter is a good idea to show off your fabulous bust.
-Speaking of busts, if you’re on the bigger side, wider straps with a plunging V-neck give you the support you need but still make you look sexy in your suit.

Loukouma

You’re a little rounder and your fat congregates in  your stomach area. An apple is what your body is commonly referred to—smaller hips and shoulders, slender legs and  butt, but a circular stomach. Even though you can do nothing to change the pound package by your tummy, never fear!

There are plenty of bathing suit options that can flatter your  figure! Because your stomach is your problem area, a one piece is the way to go: you can hide your tummy and feel more  confident in your bathing suit.
-If you can, look for a bathing suit with a control top to  help suck in, smooth, and flatten your stomach.
-Buy a suit with a plunging V-neck to draw eyes to your  boobs and away from your stomach.
-An empire waist suit can definitely take the attention away from your stomach.
-A ruched, tiered or layered suit can easily conceal your  stomach.

Ouzo Bottle

The most common body form for us Greek women. Known to everyone as the pear body shape, you were blessed with those big hips and a big butt to match. Usually accompanied by a slender waist, a smaller chest, you are definitely a bottom heavy gal. But there are bathing suits that take the attention away from and simultaneously  flatter your lower area to make you look instantly fabulous on the beach—large hips and all!
First rule is that everything you wear must have full bottom coverage! This is super important—you want to conceal your problem areas, not wear a bottom with your cheeks poking out to draw attention to those areas.
-Fold-over bikini bottoms add extra fabric and therefore flatter your butt.
-A tankini could be an option for you: with the shorts or skirts  as bottoms they provide full coverage…if you’re not a fan of  your stomach,  it covers that too, which is a big bonus!
-If bikinis aren’t your thing and you’re not a tankini fan, then a one piece with full bottom coverage (of course) and a bandeau  top could create a slimming and flattering silhouette for your beach bod.
-Always remember to wear monochromatic or two-toned solid suits. Absolutely no patterns on your bottom to make your butt look larger than it actually is. If possible, wear dark colors on your bottom to make your pisino not large but confident and in charge.

                                       Kyria Koutala (Kokalou) 

 Probably the most uncommon form for a Greek woman but still  possible to have. You are completely straight and narrow, commonly called a ruler or stick body shape—no curves, except maybe a little in  the hips, and a smaller bust and butt. You have a typical model figure; with your small form, anything and everything looks good on you! But there are still some things that can enhance your figure.

-You should definitely wear a bikini to show off your silhouette.

-Triangle bikini tops are recommended in order to accentuate the tiny amount of cleavage that you do have.

-String bikini bottoms to show off those slim lines.

Whether you have no curves, too many curves, or curves in all the right places; whether you wear an A cup or DD cup, there is a suit for you. So what are you waiting for? Go out, shop, try on, take this advice and get a suit that makes you feel hot and in gear for those gorgeous Greek beaches this summer.