Our swimsuit special last year was a spread of swim togs so pretty you could throw on a skirt and a pair of heels and head for a party in them. These were suits you swanned around in, not swam in.

As belts tighten, our checklist has expanded. Good looks, check. Sexy silhouettes, check. Practicality, check, check, check.

Here are swimsuits that are sexy enough for beachside parties yet resilient enough to do laps in. Be it a tankini, bikini or one-piece suit, it's time to strip down and soak up the fun.

Tankini

The tankini gets top marks for flattering all shapes and sizes with the coverage of a one-piece suit plus the freedom of a bikini.

Tankinis work wonders for covering rounded tums and even baby bumps.

Go for high-cut bottoms to make legs go on forever. This applies to all swimsuit styles.

Full-cut bottoms are better for sportier activities like a beach run or wakeboarding.

To flatter pear shape figures, stylist Zean Chan suggests mixing dark solid bottoms with bright, printed bikini tops.

A wider band on your wimsuit bottom bikini bottom holds tummies in better.

Bikinis

J. Crew womenswear director Jenna Lyons once said: 'It takes a confident woman to wear a bikini well - and confidence is sexy, no matter what your size.' Still, the two-piece is one of the most unforgiving styles. For bikinis, the fit has to be nothing short of perfect.

During a fitting, stretch and lift your arms to ensure there's no peek-a-boob, squat to make sure the movement will not show too much of your bottom, and sit to see how the suit holds up.

Prints and colours help to accentuate your assets - be it a cleavage or a pert behind - and deflect attention from your flaws.

Bring out sexy shoulders with halter styles, which also minimise a heavy top.

Steer clear of boy-cut styles if you have a heavy behind as they can make butts look bigger, as can bottoms in light colours or with busy prints. Go for a high-cut bottom instead.

If you're heavy on top, look for V-neck styles that give the illusion of a longer neck. Those who are not well-endowed should consider triangle top styles or string bikinis that make the most of what you have.

Full suit

The traditional one-piece or maillot was typically thought of as a more conservative suit for women with a gut and an ample figure. With modern designs flaunting daring peek-a-boo cut-outs across the belly, cleavage-baring keyholes and necklines that plunge down to the navel, the new suit is hot, hot, hot.

One-piece suits are ideal for women with C-cup bosoms and above as they offer better support for heavier tops. A bandeau-style top or wide-set straps can help minimise a heavy chest.

Surplice-style one-piece suits, which come with a separate piece that drapes over the body and across the bust area, help to hide a stomach.

Look for suits with a higher percentage of lycra or spandex (a good gauge is about 15 to 20 per cent) if you want a slimming effect.

If your figure is more boyish than bombshell, big prints can give the illusion of a shapelier silhouette

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»Fun in the Sun

This article was first published in Urban on June 26, 2008