Parenting Pointers: Swimwear Styling Tips For Curvy Women

In the last decade or so, plus size swimwear has undergone major transformations – on trend fashion pieces, alluring designs and slimming features provide countless choices, with styles that compliment one’s best features, while hiding problem areas.

For most of this decade, HydroChic active swimwear has been at the fore of this transformation, revolutionizing the swimwear market by offering plus size women fashion forward alternatives for REAL women’s bodies, making shopping for a swimsuit easy, convenient and anxiety free. 

They offer two piece styles in a variety of coverage and design styles, a choice of separate bra inserts (actual swim n sports bras or padded cup bras in racerback, regular and mastectomy styles), flattering necklines, comfortable Lycra-like stretch fabric, hidden zipper compartments, and gym wear coordinates.

According to PLUS Model magazine: "In the fashion industry, plus size is identified as sizes 12-24, super size as sizes 4X-6X.”  Others in the fashion world determine ‘plus size’ for models who are size 8 and up. But in the real world, most people would never think of size 8 as plus size – most plus size doesn’t start until size 16. 

Caralyn Mirand is a plus size model for HydroChic. She says: “I know there are many people who struggle with the term ‘plus size.’ When I tell people that I am a model, I get one of two responses. They look me up and down, wondering how I could be a model. I have to follow that with ‘I am a plus size model.’ Then it makes sense to them. OR People say, ‘YOU are plus size?? HOW?’

What people don’t understand is that plus sizes can start at a US size 8. I work at a size 12/14 and that is just the beginning of a whole segment of women. There are people who don’t like being called plus size, but I am proud to represent the plus size community of women.”

Swimwear Styling Tips For Plus Size Women

Apple Shape - Top heavy and smaller from the waist down with a slightly larger upper body and broad shoulders. A plus size suit with support in the bust will help. Look for suits that enhance the bust, or have V-necklines. Tankinis and styles with skorts will work well for this shape.

Pear Shape –  Small shoulder and bust, larger legs, hips and thighs. Wear styles that draw the eye upwards. Highlight the upper body with bright colors and designs at the top and choose dark solids for the bottom. Two piece suits and one-pieces work well for this body type.

Round Shape – You carry most of your weight around your stomach. Try tummy control to smooth the silhouette and patterns and prints that distract eyes away from the swimsuit.  

Hourglass Shape – larger chest and hips but with a small waist, you are considered one of the lucky ones. An hourglass figure is well proportioned on top and bottom. However, if you are plus size and have some problem areas, choose swimwear that accentuates your best features, especially those that draw attention to the waist.

Says Wolf, “When choosing a swimwear style, always remember you are aiming for a balanced silhouette. You also need to give attention to the color, details and prints of the swimsuit.”

HydroChic’s complete line features more than 100 styles including short sleeve, long sleeve and sleeveless tops (sold with several bra options), versatile swim skirts and skorts from 15” – 27”, shorts, pants and swim dresses, as well as transitional pieces that can be worn from beach to the gym or boardwalk, including lightweight jackets and sun dresses.

About HydroChic

HydroChic, LLC. was co-founded by Daniella Teutsch (Teaneck, NJ) and Sara Wolf (New Rochelle, NY), and launched in May, 2008. The idea came to them one day at the Jersey Shore as they watched women of all ages slather themselves with sunscreen and don sloppy men’s t-shirts over their traditional bathing suits to protect their skin from sun damage. That’s when it struck them that fashionable coverage options were lacking in large segments of the swimwear market. After much research, they become aware of just how many other women were searching for the very same swimwear solutions. HydroChic is based in New Rochelle, NY.  Today, HydroChic is a leader in modest and sun protective swimwear, offering swimsuits in flattering fabrics and clever cuts that are suited for real bodies in missy and plus sizes to 4X.

Articles in The Wall Street Journal, http://on.wsj.com/1g9DZLO,  The Chicago Tribune http://bit.ly/1MjYqAX  and VOGUE call attention to the success of HydroChic and this growing market segment.

HydroChic is available at select stores throughout the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Israel, and online at www.hydrochic.com.Prices range from $29.50 to $90.