Choosing swimwear can be a bit daunting if you are plus size, far more so than just about any other kind of fashion shopping. Happily, there are now some great brands that offer fashionable swimwear in all the latest styles in larger sizes, and also designs that offer the extra support you want to feel confident when you hit the beach! Whether you have a curvy figure you love and just want to find a style that makes you look your best when you flaunt it, or you are looking for swimwear that conceals your least favorite areas, choosing the right beach look can make you look and feel great no matter what your body type.

Here are some plus size swimwear tips for finding your summer 2016 beach style:

Only Reveal What You Want To!

Some plus size women have well proportioned figures and good muscle tone, and can look fit, healthy and attractive even in the tiny bikini styles you may think only suit very small women. If this is you, then you can basically choose any style you want, and simply have to find retailers or brands that carry the styles you love in bigger sizes. However, if you have some areas of your body you are not happy to show off, you don’t have to, and this doesn’t mean you have to pick frumpy swimwear that doesn’t feel fun to wear. One of the biggest fashions in swimwear for 2016 is one pieces with interesting cut outs, so you can choose plus size swimwear that feels revealing and daring but covers your belly, if that is a part of you you don’t like to show.

If you love the idea of a two piece but worry you’ll feel self conscious in one, then another great option is to look for a plus size tankini that you love the design of. It offers more coverage than a bikini but is still a trendy style you can enjoy being active or sunbathing in. If the area you dislike most is your thighs and hips, then you can also consider wearing a tankini that has ‘short shorts’ style bottoms that cover your butt and the tops of your thighs, but gives you a sporty, sleek look.

Built in Support

One problem a lot of plus size shoppers find with the majority of swimwear is that it isn’t designed to support a large bust. Luckily, this is something that manufacturers are starting to address, and it is becoming much easier to find styles that are designed with similar support to bras. Whether you need this support for practical purposes or simply prefer your swimsuit to give your cleavage some oomph, look out for underwired, structured styles that are created to support and flatter a bigger chest.

As well as support on the bust, you can also find plus size swimsuits that have control panels to flatten your belly and give a smoother shape. This can be great for improving your silhouette and giving you a more confident, less wobbly feel if you have a bit of looser belly fat or skin from pregnancy or weight loss, or if you normally wear control underwear to look slimmer and want a similar ‘Spanx effect’ with your swimwear.

Accessories!

One great thing about accessory shopping is that everything fits and everything looks as good on you as on any skinny girl! There is no reason not to give your beach look a boost with gorgeous accessories like pretty flip flops, glam sunglasses, exotic sarongs and wraps and of course, pretty jewelry. If you have chosen a flattering dark block color for your swimsuit, then adding some color and summery sparkle on your accessories is a great way to enhance your outfit and make it feel more cute and fun, and of course some beach accessories like your shades and a big, fashionable sunhat also have the benefit of protecting you from the sun.

Shopping for plus size styles is becoming easier all the time as designers and retailers start to adapt to the fact that the plus size market demands the same gorgeous styles and trendy looks as products aimed at smaller people. This is starting to happen in swimwear too, so for summer 2016, there are some amazing fashion forward styles that also include the added support and extra coverage some plus size women want. Have fun choosing beautiful swimwear and some awesome accessories to go with it, and get ready to hit the beach in style!