It’s sunny! It’s hot! You’ve spent all spring working your abs - er, well, you meant to… So you know what that means? Time to buy a new swimsuit! Yay! It’s almost as exciting as wearing it!

Now if you’re one of masochists who enjoys squeezing into every thong you can find and nit-picking how it flatters every curve or bulge, then buying a swimsuit online isn’t for you. Definitely get your supermodel frame down to your nearest department store and go wild with their pre-summer sales. Take a girlfriend with you, so you two can annoy everyone within earshot - “So what do you think of this one?” - and put the rest of us mere mortals to shame.

However, for the rest of us, shopping online means your changing room is in your own home. Not only that, but you’ll get way better deals than those mallrats anyway.

Still… buying a swimsuit online probably fills you with a sense of dread. After all, you’ll still be nit-picking over those curves and bulges no matter where you try it on. The good news is that most online stores have liberal return policies, so if you notice a bulge that you swear wasn’t there last summer, you can always exchange it. The even better news is that buying a swimsuit online is actually pretty simple.

About.com has a very comprehensive article about how to choose the right swimsuit for your body type, but here’s the gist: Pick a swimsuit that flatters your best features. If you’re top-heavy, find a bikini top that will give you added support. If you’re bottom-heavy, find a demure bottom and attention-getting top. If you have a short torso, find a one-piece that’s cut low on the top and high on the legs. If you have a long torso, try horizontal stripes. You get the idea, but check out the site for more detailed suggestions for your body type.

For men, the advice is much simpler: avoid thongs, period.

Once you know generally what you’re looking for, check out Bluefly for huge discounts on designer swimsuits. Everything But Water is on the pricier side, but it’s collection is just as enviable. Finally, Swim Outlet has a vast selection - including accessories ranging from scuba gear to deck equipment. It may not have the cache of the other two, but its prices are dirt cheap.

***Picture by: Plan 59***

This entry was posted on Monday, May 19th, 2008 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Who Doesn't Love a Makeover?. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.