Best Swimsuit for Your Body Type

I don't hate many things (well, besides the obvious: war, crime, carrots) but I do hate swimsuit shopping.

Flipping through racks of skimpy fabric swatches that for some reason cost more than my full-length maxi dress. Trying to guess which neon/floral/bikini/monokini will look best with my body type. Squeezing into them and rearranging my underwear underneath so I can imagine what I'll look like frolicking in the surf. Realizing that I spent winter in a hot chocolate and donut haze and need to get to a gym and spray tan booth immediately. All in all, it's about as fun as a date with a World of Warcraft enthusiast.

Click here to find the best swimsuit for your body type.

So what's a girl to do? I could: A. Continue with this routine until I'm dragged out of the dressing room in a spandex-induced rage. B. Give up all together and just wear my current swimsuits until they fall apart in the waves. C. Talk to a stylist and get the skills needed to "read" swimsuits so I can find the one for me before I try it on.

Since I'm not currently wearing a straight jacket or a 9-year-old maillot, you can correctly assume that I went with option C. I spoke with stylist Katharine Polk, who ran through several different swimsuit styles for women and explained what makes them flattering (or not). Now I can size up a swimsuit in a catalogue photo or on a hanger and know whether or not it'll work for me. Instead of heading to the dressing room with 20 suits that probably won't look good, I can go in with two or three and choose my favorite. Or just order online and skip all the drama. Is it weird that I have a sudden urge to yell "Freedom!" in a Braveheart-esque voice? Nah, I didn't think so either.

Click here to find the best swimsuit for your body type.