Summer's almost over, but that doesn't mean we want to put our swimsuits away for the next nine months just yet. Labor Day is coming up, and hopefully all the exotic vacations we dream about will soon come to be.

Naturally, we've all got our qualms about wearing our swimsuits, since they're the most impossible, finicky, dangerous (not literally) article of clothing we could ever wear. The chances of something terrible happening--suit falls off in ocean, suit is see through, suit clings awkwardly, suit makes us look fat--are way up there.

To prevent the endless list of potential disasters, we've asked a few experts their opinions on how to avoid swimsuit faux-pas, and learned a few things.

Firstly, it's universally flattering to wear a dark suit, whether it's solid, patterned, or printed. With all these colorful, light options in stores, it's easy to believe that something that looks good when it's dry will also look good when it's wet. Not always. But if you just can't stop thinking about that light colored suit you saw the other day, make sure it's lined in all the right areas.

Lisa Dixon, senior designer at Jantzen, says, "If you are buying a white or very light colored suit make sure that the fabric has a little beef to it, if it is too thin without a proper lining chances are you will be see through when wet."

And while we're talking about trying on our suits, Dixon recommends that we make sure they're accident-proof. "It is really important to bend over a few times and march in place a bit...the shifting should be minimal and [you] should always look in a three-way mirror before buying a suit."

Remember that you should wear what you're comfortable in--don't buy something that you plan to fit in when you lose five pounds, shop for your beautiful self now. And if you're self-conscious about your body, buy suits that flatter you best.

Fran Kauchner, designer of Silhouettes Swim Solutions, says, "Find a company that offers mix and match in different sizes and styles and can accommodate any body type. You can select a different style top with different style bottoms, and you can also mix and match color, like wearing a darker color on the bottom."

Feeling more confident yet? Here's a last thought from each expert.

Kauchner recommends, "Find a great cover up. Here's where you can play with color and length, even a sarong. [Get] other accessories to complete the look: Great sunglasses, hoops, bangles and sandals."

And Dixon warns against wearing underwear as a swimsuit, no matter how last minute your plans are. "Don't think you're fooling anyone, every woman on that beach will know that you are in your underwear! Plus, it will become see through and bag out when wet, there is a chance it will not stay tight enough around 'certain areas' that it needs to stay tight around."

Hopefully you've conquered your fears about swimsuits now that you're armed with lots of good advice, but to hear about other women's stories, check out Me Against My Swimsuit before you go splashing in the waves. Happy early Labor Day!

--Venus

This is the ultimate fashion decision: too sexy gives the wrong impression. Wearing baggy clothes likewise hides your figure and lessens your attractiveness. The aim is to look subtly sexy or sensual. How casual should I go? Feeling confident is key, so choose an outfit that you know suits you, that has attracted compliments before, and that you feel comfortable in.

If you are going to a restaurant, a party, or a smart cocktail bar I would always choose a little black dress. The dress should be fitted to your shape and reveal some cleavage but not excessively so. Kate Moss shows this look. Herve Leger bandage dresses suit the hourglass perfectly as they fit at the waist. Pinko, Karen Millen, Asos, Topshop all have great options. SS09 look for one shoulder options.

Dresses cut under the bust skim over a tummy and look flattering. A neck collar and an empire line leaving bare shoulders will also flatter the fuller figure and draw attention to your beautiful face! To sizzle simply choose red, the colour of passion.

If you are going to the cinema or similar casual event then the choice is simple. Jeans suit most people but do not look like you have made an effort. Swap them for black or white jeans with a coloured top and suddenly style appears.

Top runway SS09 choice is a boyfriend-style jacket, skinny jeans, heels and a orange red or cream silk camisole. Or wear over a short skirt.

For a summer evening, picnic or outdoor venue pick a maxi dress. This style will suit almost everyone, if you lack height add heels.  This summer at Emilio Pucci (pictured right) Matthew Williamson's bold prints look fantastic and will make you look sexy, elegant and seriously classy. Topshop, Nordstrom, Century 21 all have copies.

Life is too short not to have great shoes! Top choice high gladiator sandals, ankle details, or strappy sandals. Heels elongate the legs and will make you look longer and leaner. 

Lips are one of your best features so accentuate them you do want to be kissed! Try Kitty for MAC, Shu Uemera, YSL, Lancome  have great colours. Most make up ranges will do free makeovers and providing you don't go mad and buy all the products this is a great option to find new ideas and colours that flatter you. If your eyes are almond shaped try eyeliner on the upper lid a movie star look for dollars!

--Gabrielle Teare, the world's leading fashion scientist, personal stylist and personal shopper based in the heart of Chelsea, London

 

I don't know about you, fashionistas, but all of this shopping talk has just reminded me to pick up the Confessions of a Shopaholic DVD (in stores June 23)!

As a leading London personal stylist, I spend many hours reviewing wardrobes. Given the fact that we only wear a shocking 20 percent of what we buy, frankly most of my clients waste money. I always ask my clients what would you like to look like? The most common response is "more stylish".

If you continually buy fashion only the buzz of buying translates into the unworn, there is nothing remotely glamorous about this. Learn the difference between style and fashion and wear most of your wardrobe until it wears out. Then when things are in the shops that you love, that make your heart sing, that really really suit you, buy them. These will form a great wardrobe for many seasons to come. Aim to be beautiful and fabulous and you will be!   

"Fashion" is next season's shoulder pads jacket. The "boyfriend" jacket now on trend will suit you if you are 5'8" or more, if you are under 5'4" and petite, it will swamp you. So don't buy it! If you do wear with skinny jeans and the highest heels you can bear or a mini skirt.

The jacket to die for is the Balmain Military jacket, sold out in London within a month at $3,750. Combine with an orange red silk top, the Balmain split jeans at $1,870 and you will look fantastic but be flat broke. What Rebecca did not learn was how to get the look she wanted cheaper. The military jacket will date very quickly so is it worth the money? Zara, Asos and Topshop all have copies of this look at a fraction of the price so if you must have a fashion hit buy from there. 

"Fashion" is also the here today, gone tomorrow looks that reinvigorate your wardrobe. Shoes are a fantastic "fashion" statement and so are bags. Fashion should be fun! Costume jewellery will add drama and class to an ordinary dress. For Spring Summer 09 orange is in, but less than 3 percent of the population can wear orange. If it does not suit you, then don't buy it.

Find your signature style. Spend your budget on items that you love deeply that you will wear forever. Jackets, jewellery, coats, cashmere should not be dull but beautiful in rich colours. Fit is everything, buy for how you are now, not for when you lose weight, for example, as this does not work. In short, learn what suits your body, learn what style you are and buy clothes that fit you.

--Gabrielle Teare, the world's leading fashion scientist, personal stylist and personal shopper based in the heart of Chelsea, London

 

I don't know about you, fashionistas, but all of this shopping talk has just reminded me to pick up the Confessions of a Shopaholic DVD (in stores June 23)!

The internet is massive now. It is so easy to get carried away, just remember we wear 20 percent of what we buy. So here is a list of great sites and how to shop in the recession:

1. Only buy things you love. Outnet.com is a great destination for all fashionistas.

2. Check out different sites often so that you don't miss sale items when they come up. Very popular sites such as Vente-a-Privee.com  sell out quickly make it a favourite and you won't miss out.

3. Buy quality rather than "fashion" if you are on a budget clothes will last you longer and you will get more wear out of them. The padded shoulder of FW09 will date tread warily. Century 21 does copies of the trends.

4. Buy things that fit you. Seriously, about 40 percent of my clients wear clothes too big for them. Baggy clothes make you look bigger. Polyvore.com is a great virtual site where you can mix and match to work out what suits your body type. Covet.com just launched and ShopStyle.com has virtual styling from photos to help you.

5. Buy colors that suit your skin rather than what is in fashion- orange is a Spring Summer colour but only 3 percent of population can wear it so tread carefully. OldNavy.com has Pucci print copies, choose blues and greens if you are darker skinned. 

6. Spend money on items that are staples (i.e. jackets, bags, coats, dresses) and buy cheaper fashion items so you are on trend but uber stylish. EmporioArmani.com January sales were 70 percent reduced.

7. Fastest way to update your look is a new pair of shoes. Equally wearing shoes when the fashion has changed will date your whole outfit. Topshop.com always have fab shoes cheaply.

8. Use block colours to add drama (i.e. black and white, black and red, brown and raspberry, yellow gold jackets). For an iconic look go to AllSaints.com These dresses look amazing worn with ballet flats or gladiators. 

9. If you are classic style keep colours to bags and shoes to stop your outfit looking boring with lime green bags, red shoes, etc. This is an easy way to make things fun and stylish. ShopStyle.com has all the top brands and lists the cheapest prices. Try Furla for great colours. 

10. Accessorize. The right necklace is literally worth its weight in gold don't buy too cheaply aim to keep key pieces. BostonProper.com is a great site for bold accessories.

--Gabrielle Teare, the world's leading fashion scientist, personal stylist and personal shopper based in the heart of Chelsea, London

 

I don't know about you, fashionistas, but all of this shopping talk has just reminded me to pick up the Confessions of a Shopaholic DVD (in stores June 23)!