How to Choose Plus-Size Swimsuits for Your Skin Tone
When it comes to plus-size swimsuits, fit is very important. You want something that’s supportive, comfortable, and shows off your beautiful curves. But did you know that color can also help you look and feel your best? Certain shades will make your skin come to life, depending on the tone. Wearing a color that pops gives you a healthy, attractive glow that can really improve your confidence. Wearing color in general is also therapeutic in that it can have a positive effect on your mood. Take advantage of these benefits by choosing a plus-size swimsuit that suits your skin tone. Here’s an easy guide on how to do just that.
Check Your Skin Tone
Melanin is a substance in the body that produces pigmentation for the eyes, hair, and skin. Your skin tone will depend on how much melanin you have. This is largely determined by your ancestral history and genetics. The more melanin you have, the darker your skin will be, and vice versa. There are many different skin tones, but they can all be grouped into three main categories: light, medium, and dark. It’s pretty easy to tell which category you fall into, although your skin tone may change over time. If you're sensitive to the sun and burn quite easily, you probably have light skin. People with medium skin, on the other hand, tend to tan quickly with minimal burning. People with dark skin have the most melanin, but may still experience some burning.
Determine Your Undertones
Once you’ve determined if your skin is light, medium, or dark, it’s time to check your undertones. Undertones refer to the underlying colors in your complexion. Unlike skin tone, undertones do not change, even when you tan. They also fall into three main categories: cool, warm, and neutral. If you have shades of red, pink, or blue in your skin, you most likely have cool undertones. If your skin looks more golden, yellow, or peachy, however, you probably have warm undertones. If it looks like a mixture of both, you may have neutral undertones.
There are a few easy ways to determine the undertones of your skin. First, check the underside of your wrists. Do your veins seem bluish or purplish? You probably have cool undertones. If they look more greenish, you likely have warm undertones. And if it’s a mix of both, you probably have neutral undertones. Still not sure? Try on some jewelry. People with cool undertones usually look better in silver. If you have warm undertones, you’ll probably prefer gold. If you have neutral undertones, both will look great next to your skin.
Choose Your Colors
Now it’s time to choose the style of your plus-size swimsuit. Use your skin tone as a guide for choosing color and your undertone to determine which shade is best. The lighter your skin, the more careful you have to be, as some colors can make you look washed out. People with medium and darker skin, however, can get away with a lot more colors. Here’s a list of our favorite colors for different skin tones and undertones.
Light/Cool—Taupe brown, emerald green, bright blue, ruby red, mustard yellow, dull orange
Light/Warm—Baby blue, pastel pink, lemon yellow, mint green, lavender purple
Light/Neutral—Dusty pink, jade green, light peach, off-white, coffee brown
Medium/Cool—Forest green, ice blue, deep purple, fuchsia pink, ash brown
Medium/Warm—Golden yellow, olive green, wine red, warm blue, deep rust
Medium/Neutral—Peacock green, periwinkle blue, marsala red, chocolate brown, lilac purple
Dark/Cool—Hot pink, sapphire blue, acid yellow, light gray, true red
Dark/Warm—Berry pink, ruby red, deep teal, warm orange, dark brown, topaz blue
Dark/Neutral—French blue, sage green, light olive, soft peach, oyster white
Find Your Suit
Now that you have a better idea of what colors to look for, it’ll be easier to find a plus-size swimsuit that flatters. Don’t be afraid to try on a bunch to find the color that best suits you. You can also wear multiple colors at once by choosing swim separates in different shades. Rock a pair of blue swim shorts, for example, with a yellow swim top. Be sure to check out your store’s website when shopping for online exclusives. Sometimes, you can find more swimsuit colors and designs online. If you can’t find a swimsuit in a solid color, consider going for a pattern instead. These also look great and can be fun to style.
Add Some Accessories
Swim accessories are a great way to bring more color into your look, or enhance the color of your existing outfit. They also happen to be functional for all your water-related activities at the pool or beach. Take beach towels, for example. They’re not only useful for laying out and drying off, but you can also use them as a quick cover up. Choose a towel in a color or pattern that complements your bathing suit to really make it pop.
Plus-size swimsuit cover ups are another stylish way to pile on the color. You can create a color-blocking effect by choosing a contrasting color to your swimsuit. You can also create a neat fade effect by choosing a different shade of the same color.
Color is a great way to add interest to your swimwear outfit and uplift your mood at the same time. If you’re gonna go all out, though, it should be in a shade that makes you shine. Different colors have different effects on different people. It all depends on your skin tone and undertones. With a quick test, though, it’s pretty easy to determine which colors suit you best. Whether you go for a plus-size swimdress or classic two-piece, there’s plenty of ways to create a colorful look. You can also use swim accessories to enhance the effect. We hope this guide makes shopping that much easier. Here’s to looking and feeling your best whenever you hit the beach or pool.