Costume styling with swimsuits, brazilian bikinis and high waisted bathing suits (part 1)

Swimsuits for women, both one piece swimsuits and two-piece swimsuits, can be found in a variety of styles, shapes, cuts, colours and patterns. Today the silhouette(overall shape) is perhaps the most important factor in swimwear design. Only the best fabrics are considered, after rigorous selection and testing of the fabric 'bases'. A new silhouette is designed and cut using Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAD/CAM) systems. Garments are usually modelled on a live model to ensure an accurate fit. A new silhouette may be amended and fitted as many as five times. Once the fit is approved, the garment is 'swim' trailed' - virtually to destruction. After the basic design has been finalized, all the other hittings and sizes are manufactured.

There is a choice between a high- or low-cut leg. A high-cut leg will give the appearance of longer leg, but attention should be paid to the pattern, which can draw attention to the hip area. The low cut leg is more popular, and certainly more conservative, giving a longer body effect and a 1950s glamour style. The 'boy line' leg, or 'boy shorts', is a high waisted bathing suits with brazilian bikinis swimsuits, which may be cuffed, that come down to the top of the thigh. This is a style that flatters the athletic body.

Underwired swimsuits, together with padded and moulded coups, certainly make the most of a woman
s cleavage, as well as providing support. Many swimsuits, high waisted bathing suits and brazilian bikinis are available with push-up wires and padding, the latter sometimes removable. Following the huge success of the wonderbra, the trend continues towards underwired and padded swimwear. An underwired swimsuits is very versatile, and can be worn as a body in daytime, and during the evening with matching co-ordinates such as wraps, shirts and trousers.

For a sport look ,support and structure are given by panelling the swimsuits, although it may be underwired too. The use of panels can serve to enhance the curves on a flatter figure, especially if the panels are in a patterned material against a darker, plain-coloured background. They can also offer additional support. This links corsetry and lingerie with swimwear, both in styling and by making a woman's figure appear slimmer.