There are a variety of combinations: plain, patterned, cropped, and under wired; with bottoms that are low-slung, side-tied, shorts…. 

Plain or patterned is down to taste but remember if you have a straight body, the geometric patterns will flatter you more than the more rounded, floral patterns, which will compete with your lines. Those are far more suited to curvier figures.   When it comes to colour, the same rules apply. Look for colours and shades that flatter your skin tone rather than contrast with it and it will knock pounds off.

String tied bottoms are good for drawing the eye away from challenging areas and have the added benefit that you don’t tend to get tan marks. Be warned though, itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny bikini bottoms are designed for itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny bottoms. Those with a larger posterior will feel less exposed in a fuller style brief, or the short styles.  Steer clear of patterns on any part of your body that you do not want attention drawn to, e.g. eye-catching designs on the cups of a bikini or tankini draw the eye directly to the bust.

Finally, the classic string bikini. If you have an athletic or neat hourglass figure then go for it!  Have fun with colour and patterns. It may be raining in Britain when you buy it but look forward to blue skies, warm sunshine and sipping that cocktail …

Don’t forget that your beachwear pretty much takes the place of your underwear whilst you are on holiday.  If you usually need to wear a bra with a lot of support then your bikini needs to do the same. Many swimwear ranges are now available in a variety of cup sizes.  Why it has taken so long to do something so obvious goodness only knows! 

Be a real beach babe: wear a hat to protect your hair and face in the midday sun.  Simply pack your hat inside a suitcase by filling the crown with small items, such as underwear; place hat the right way up in the centre on the bottom of an empty suitcase; pack in remaining items around the hat to securely hold its shape.