Minimize Your Hips but Flaunt the Rest

• Before you buy a swimsuit, know your body and your curves. Look at your body in a full-length mirror. Take an honest assessment of your body. Note which parts you want to cover up and which parts you want to show off. This way there won't be any surprises when you see yourself in a dressing room mirror. It may help to take a digital camera when you're in your dressing room as you try on swimsuits. Minimize your hips by drawing attention to the parts that you want to show off such as your bust, slender waist or long legs. According to MoreSwimsuits.com, you should select a patterned V-neck style bikini top if you have a good bust. Wear a strapless or an asymmetrical swimsuit if you have amazing shoulders. Women with great legs should wear bikini bottoms that are high cut to make their legs look even longer.
  
  

The Right Fabric

• Spandex (Lycra) is crucial if you want to slenderize your hips.This material stretches and has a lot of elasticity. It squeezes anything that jiggles on your hips, abdomen or bottom and can give you a smoother appearance. Before buying a swimsuit, look for the percentage of Spandex on the tag that the swimsuit contains. The higher the content of Spandex in the swimsuit, the greater the results are. The best swimsuit offers a nylon/spandex blend because it is durable, is comfortable and stretches.
  
  

Swimsuit Styles to Slim Your Hips

• If the fashion trends in swimsuit make you cringe, ignore them. Find a swimsuit that makes you feel comfortable. Fashtastic.net recommends wearing a skirted bikini bottom if your problem areas are your thighs and hips because it creates a more balanced look. Avoid a skirted bikini bottom with too much pattern or details. Choose a simple pattern or one solid color on the hip area. Another option is to wear a sarong to hide your bottom half or other larger areas of your body. Avoid little bikinis. Strapless swimsuit styles or swimdresses that conceal your hips can be very slimming for pear-shaped women. A tankini works well with a swimskirt. Wear a swimsuit with pleats, ruffles or a lot of details on the top to draw attention away from your hips. Choose a halter neck bikini top so eyes will focus on your cleavage instead of thighs and hips. Boy shorts also can provide more coverage for large hips.
  
  

Choose the Right Color

• The right color can also give the illusion of slimmer hips. Choose dark colors around your bottom area to make your hips look slimmer. Black is always great for shrinking problem areas. Avoid light colors or colors that shimmer. Stay away from neon or bright colors especially around the hip area. The bottom of your bikini should be a solid color or a simple pattern. Choose a swimsuit that has a light color on top with a striking pattern. The upper part of your swimsuit should be in a bold color.
  
  

Details to Trick the Eye

• Choose a color-block swimsuit, swirling patterns or V-necklines because these visual details can make your hips look slender. A swimsuit with solid colored dark panels that run down the side of your torso can minimize problem areas. A dramatic deep V-neckline is ideal if you have a great bust. Choose bold colors with patterns on the top if you want to make the upper half of your body the focal point. The eyes will be drawn to the pattern rather than to body imperfections. Audacitymagazine.com advises women to wear a swimsuit with vertical stripes for a slimming effect.