By NICKI LEFEVER
For Smart

It’s no secret that only a small percentage of women can grace the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue or feel like a million bucks in their bathing suit. However, fashion consultants say everyone can accentuate the positive features of their bodies to draw the eye away from the negative.

Before heading out to buy a swimsuit, local fashion experts said to think about the parts of the body you like. Forget that your legs could be smoother or your butt smaller and focus on showing off those killer abs you have been working on or the defined shoulders you have been fortunate to be born with.

Once you figure out what you like, here’s what to do about it:
• If you love your legs, choose a high-cut suit to emphasize them.
• If you love your tummy, choose a fun two-piece bikini.
• If you love your bust, select a deep v-neck.
• If you love your back, nothing accentuates it better than a low-scoop suit.
• If you love your shoulders, bring them out with a scooped halter-style tankini.
• If you love your waist, don a suit with cut-out sides.

Going to the right place at the mall is the next half of the battle. York Galleria JCPenney associate Jeannette Anderson said shopping in the appropriate department can save a lot of time.

At JCPenney, juniors, misses and women’s are three options.

Anderson said junior sizes run odd from 0 to 13 and are cut small for teenagers, young adults and petite women. Misses sizes are even from 8 to 18 and suit average-size women. The women’s suits are cut wide for plus-size women and run from 14W to 22W.

Once you are looking in the appropriate department, Anderson said, picking the right size can alleviate uncomfortable feelings of trying on a suit that is too tight.

“Usually you add one to your pants size,” Anderson said.

Anderson also suggested trying on a few suits that you normally wouldn’t pick up. “It always looks different on a body than on a hanger,” she said.

TAMING PROBLEM AREAS

Tummy: Choose a one-piece suit with sash details, side shirring, control
panels or a wrap style. Bikinis with high-waist bottoms also divert the eye from the midsection.
Shown left: Side-Tie Slender Tunic ($82) from Land’s End

Hips: A higher cut leg visually lengthens and slenderizes. Vertical stripes or prints, side shirring and flirty skirts also help hide the hip area.
Shown right: Solid Side-Tie Bottom ($30) from Land’s End

Torso: Two-piece suits are a natural way to solve the problem of a short torso. Any suit with a high-cut leg and vertical or linear prints also helps. A tankini is another great solution.
Shown left: Total Control Solid Ring Halter Tankini Top ($50) from Land’s End

Bust: Ruffles, embroidery or bright colors and prints at the top of a swimsuit are styling tricks that add to the bust line, but suits with a bandeau top should be avoided. To downplay the bust line, choose a suit with styling and details that take the eyes away such as shirring or draping.
Shown right: Surplice V-Neck Ikat Diamond Tank ($68) from Land’s End

MAKE A VIRTUAL MODEL
www.landsend.com: This Web site offers the Swimwear Headquarters for women to zero in on the perfect bathing suit. Once you arrive at the home page, click on the ‘‘Swim’’ link and click on ‘‘Swim Finder.’’ There you can shop for a suit by fit, suit style, color, anxiety zones, body shape and bra styles. At any time, use the ‘‘My Virtual Model’’ link on the right. Select the ‘‘Personalize’’ tab, and enter your measurements and body proportions. Once this is complete, choose the ‘‘My Virtual Model‘‘ tab. This selection allows you to try clothes on the model.