| One piece or two |
| Avoid high-cut styles, unless you really want to show off your thighs. |
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| Nicha Boonyanit |
All right, ladies! High season's on the way and the beaches are about to spring back to life. Unless you're one of the lucky few blessed with perfect shape, you're in for another round of that agonizing process: selecting the right swimwear to make the most of what you've got and to play down what you wish were different.
Two-piece swim suits (called 'bikinis' for those who might think 'bikini' means a pair of knickers) never go out of style and-you'll be glad to hear- anyone can get away with wearing one; it's merely a question of which one, according to PR consultant-turned-designer, Nicha Boonyanit.
 Nicha gave up her PR career and followed her first loves - sun and sea - to Phuket, where she opened up shop selling her own designs of hand-made gear.
In love with the sea, swimwear obviously features high on her style horizon. "Buying swimwear is the same as buying a good pair of jeans," she told us. "Pay a bit more and you'll buy satisfaction. Skimp on price and you'll be disappointed."
We should point out that Nicha is one of the lucky ones - she's got a great body. Nevertheless, she used go out and buy swimwear on a whim - and ended up with masses of stuff that she never wore. "It might look good on the rack or on the mannequin, but wearing it is something else," she cautioned. Her message is: Never, ever buy swimwear without trying it on! (Especially if you're NOT blessed with a body like Nicha''s...)
On her favourite swimwear, Nicha confided that she loves the two-piece, the bikini, preferably with a 'busy' top and plain bottom. She claims this is because she doesn't want to draw attention to her hips (although we can't see why). And colour? "Purple is my favourite for really striking swimwear," she told us.
Here are a few of Nicha's tips on buying the right swimwear. With luck, they'll help you get it right and strut your stuff on the beach with confidence.
 On the plump side?
Go for the back-showing-off, curvy cut with spaghetti straps. The more you show off your back, the more the right kind of curves seem to appear. Absolutely avoid high-cut styles, unless you really want to show off those thighs.
Skinny?
Flowery or striped swimwear's your best shot. Choose a deep-cut front to show off your bust.
Very well endowed?
A stylish one-piece might suit you best; it creates an impression of more 'balance'. Go for a halter top or deep plunge neckline to take advantage of your assets.
Small shoulders?
Either a one- or two-piece works. A halter top or spaghetti straps will show off more of your shoulders, at the same time making your bust look sexier.
WHERE TO BUY?
Amazonas in Jungceylon is setting a new trend in quality swimwear in Phuket. Their range includes some dazzling bikinis from Brazil and Argentina. The carefully hand-picked range includes: Lygia & Nanny, Fazendo Onda, Blue Brazil, Getien, My Fair and Azza.
According the Amazonas' owners: "Brazilian bikinis enhance your figure. They're made from the soft Lycra fabric, embracing your body's natural shape like a second skin and making your bottom look fantastic!" Mmm... possibly not for everyone...
Ready for the beach? Choose with care and strut your stuff with pride.
Amazonas Beachwear
Main Entrance, 2nd Silang Boulevard, Junceylon Shopping Destination, Patong, Phuket
Tel: 66 (0) 76 366 067
(Also in Chaweng and Lamai, Koh Samui)
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