How to Buy a Swimsuit You’ll Love (Really!)

For most women, trying on bathing suits is about as unpleasant as a visit to the gyno: You’re half-naked — in the most unflattering, clinical-like lighting — and hoping the whole experience is quick and painless.

But swimsuit shopping doesn’t have to be dreadful. The secret to a stress-free, successful experience is to have patience and an open mind, says style expert Gretta Monahan. “Today, women are lucky to have so many great options rather than your basic black suit,” she says. Don’t judge a suit by the way it hangs lifelessly on the hanger: Experiment with various shapes: try on everything from tanks to tankinis — and yes, bikinis too, if you're feeling proud of your weight loss! Take advantage of figure-flattering trends including neon and eye-catching tribal patterns. Here’s what the pros know about picking the right suit — at any stage of your weight-loss journey.

Try on suits at the end of the day or when you’re feeling bloated, says Kathryn Finney, style expert and founder of TheBudgetFashionista.com. We know, it sounds counterintuitive, but here’s why it works: If you love the suit when you’re not feeling so hot, imagine how amazing you’ll feel when you’re feeling more confident.

You know this already (right? right?) but it bears repeating. “I tell my clients not to get hung up on the size,” says Monahan. “Instead, go for a perfect fit.” It’s an indisputable style fact that you will look slimmer in a size 12 then you will in an ill-fitting 10.

RELATED: Why Clothing Sizes Mean Nothing

All eyes will be on details such as beading, embroidery, patterns, and blocks of bold colors — so use them to call attention to your best assets. Proud of you plunging cleavage? Find a swimsuit with neckline detail. Conversely: “If you don’t want people to look at a specific spot, don’t get a swimsuit that has any extras in that area,” says Finney. Another bright idea: Bright, saturated colors can be surprisingly slimming. A bold-hued one-piece that contrasts with your skin tone can visually elongate your body, says Finney. “People will focus on the column of color,” she explains.

Buying swimwear online has its perks (no three-way mirror, for one), but not being able to try before you buy can make things tricky. The fix: Shop sites that offer fit experts via a live chat or over the phone (check out landsend.com and soma.com). Or utilize interactive tools such as Victoria’s Secret “Swim Style Finder” to pinpoint the right style for your body’s needs.