Whether you're striking a pose by the pool in Brazil or are actually planning to take a dip at Bognor, you want to look fabulous.

Finding the perfect swimwear is a doddle, once you know what your body shape is - then you'll be able to play up your strong points and disguise the weaker areas.

And this year, why not celebrate the bikini's 60th birthday with a new investment?

"The bikini is here to stay. It's the Peter Pan of swimwear. Every woman of every age is wearing a bikini," says Kelly Killoren Bensimon, author of The Bikini Book.

"Whether it's tanned skin you want to show, curves you want to hide, defined abdominal muscles you want to expose or hips you want to enhance, the bikini has evolved with the times and fads."

Finding The One

"Always start with colour and shape when finding a figure-flattering piece," says Amanda Lepar, Figleaves.com's swimwear buyer.

In the sun - "Paler complexions should wear darker colours first to allow their skin tones to slowly blend into brights. Black can be harsh, so go for the more flattering mocha.

"Don't dive straight into a tiny string bikini. Go for a sturdier shape with a deeper gore at the front, and work down gradually into skimpier styles to avoid unsightly multiple tan lines."

New Trends

Cutaways

These aren't just for the catwalk.

"They're great for women who are conscious of their belly area and want more coverage - and gives the illusion of wearing a bikini from behind," says Amanda.

Boy Shorts

These have crossed the divide from the bedroom to the beach.

"Influenced from lingerie trends, the shorty is a popular shape that's best avoided if you're larger around the hip area," she says.

Bandeau Twist

This is the flattering shape of the season.

"The gathering in the middle gives the appearance of volume for smaller busts and the boning at the side gives more support for larger-cup sizes."

Athletic

Trim bodies can get away with graphic appeal with bright colours,
prints, and detailing such as frills, ruching and ruffles.

Make the most of it with Floozie by FrostFrench's yellow frill bikini,
Warehouse's dark blue tile print bandeau bikini or French Connection's emerald green shimmer bikini.

Girls who desire curves can get a boost with underwiring and padding with triangle shapes flattering slimline figures.

Sloggi's pink candy-striped Barbados bikini has adjustable ties for the perfect fit, while Heaven's Ice Cream frill edge bandeau bikini from Figleaves.com and Cherokee's embroidered white triangle bikini at Tesco are ideal for small busts.

Big Up Top

"Enhance your figure by adding interest to your bottom half: belts, patterns and boy shorts will all draw the eye downwards - and separates will ensure the best fit," says Amanda.

There's no need to stick to frumpy styles - Fantasie's Athena bikini
consists of an underwired bandeau twist top and draped brief, from Figleaves.com, while Evans has halterneck styles with boy shorts.

Or pick a longer-length tankini to disguise sticking-out tummies. Next's black embellished tankini top and briefs, and Tu's Surf tankini, at Sainsbury's, will do the job.

Hourglass

"Balance out figures with a piece that's the same colour or print all
over. This will naturally emphasise waists; alternatively, a plain one-piece will lengthen bodies," says Amanda.

Polka dots will play up the 50s starlet in you. La Senza and Dorothy Perkins have red and white halterneck ones, while George at Asda has a black and white.

With her intimate knowledge of curves, Kelly Brook designed a range for New Look. There's a red frill bikini and a white bikini with flower embroidery.

Prefer one-pieces? Try Miss Sixty's red cut-out belted swimsuit, George's blue and white tropical print swimsuit, or Marks & Spencer's chocolate belted one-piece.

Pear

"Draw the eye upwards with a patterned top or a halterneck, great for showing off shoulders, and buy separates to get the right size top and bottom. Tie side briefs are tied to fit, so they're a flattering, no-bulge option," she adds.

Gap has floral tops and bottoms, which can be bought separately for the perfect fit, while Dorothy Perkins and Topshop also have mix and match separates.

For patterned tops, you can't beat Warehouse's Maui tropical print bikini, Morgan's candy-striped bikini and Marks & Spencer's floral and polka dot bikini.

If you are still unsure of what is best for you try the local high street for style and advice.

STOCKISTS     All styles available at time of going to print

Cherokee - 0800 505 555
Debenhams - 08445 616 161 www.debenhams.com
Dorothy Perkins - 0870 122 8801 www.dorothyperkins.co.uk
Evans - 0845 121 4516 www.evans.co.uk
Figleaves - 0870 4999 002 / www.figleaves.com
French Connection - 020 7036 7200 www.frenchconnection.co.uk
Gap - 0800 427 789
George - 0845 300 1111
La Senza - 020 8867 5399 www.lasenza.co.uk
Marks & Spencer - 0845 302 1234 www.marksandspencer.com
Miss Selfridge - 0800 915 9900 www.missselfridge.co.uk
Miss Sixty - 0870 751 6040
Morgan - 0800 731 4942
New Look - 0500 454 094
Next - 0845 600 7000 www.next.co.uk
Sloggi - 01793 720 300 www.sloggi.co.uk
Topshop - 0845 121 4519 www.topshop.co.uk
Tu - 0800 636 262