With all of the latest technological advances, finding the ideal swimsuit should be a breeze. Unfortunately, things aren't always so simple. For many women, trying on swimsuits could be a nightmare!

Designing a swimsuit to fit a woman's exact figure is no easy task and requires true expertise. When shopping for a swimsuit, try identifying your figure to find the style that will fit best.

You have…	Try…	Two-pieces	One-piece
Well-developed shoulders and bust, and narrow hips.	A full-support top and a bottom that accentuates your curves.
Narrow shoulders, a small bust, and wide hips.	A cleavage-enhancing print top and a solid-color bottom.
A small bust, and narrow waist and hips.	Horizontal or diagonal stripes or designs around the waist to create the illusion of curves.
Well-developed yet balanced shoulders and hips and an indistinct waist.	A two-piece swimsuit or a one-piece with stripes to accentuate your curves.
Rounded shoulders, waist, and hips.	A separate top paired with an athletic bottom for enhanced comfort or a one-piece with wide straps for better support.

Beach Talk

Have you ever shopped for a swimsuit and had the salesperson suggest a model you've never heard of? To help distinguish between the styles available, review this list of definitions:

• Bikini: Sexy, two-piece bra top and bottom providing minimal coverage.
• Tankini: Two-piece swimsuit with a camisole top covering part of the tummy and a bottom that comes up to the belly button.
• Pareo: Also called a "sarong". A rectangular piece of fabric, such as a large scarf, that is tied around the waist.
• Capri: Beach pant varying from mid-calf to ankle length.
• Cabana: Loose-fitting, Bohemian-style beach pant.

Steven Balit is Vice President, Marketing for Maillot Baltex, the makers of Baltex, Be Creative and Body I.D. swimwear as well as Bahia Resort cover-ups. For information, visit www.baltex.com and www.becreativeswim.com.