With holiday and beach culture upon us, (yes we know it was a tad wet in April). But so many of you take an early week abroad that we decided to showcase some of the best buys in the swimwear department and give you a few pointers to choosing the perfect cossie for your bodyshape.

This is a great style for most bodyshapes. The one-piece will always be more body sculpting than any other look. The frills at the bosom add volume - so enhancing the top part of the body to give more fullness and also draw the eye to the top of the body and create height if you are petite. This costume is £39.00 in sizes 8-20 and is from our favourite mail order catalogue Boden. To order a catalogue and see the rest of the swimwear range, which includes printed floral towels, tankinis and bikinis, in great floral designs log onto www.boden.co.uk

For the long waisted lovelies amongst you, and we know there are many of you out there because of the e-mails we get, this style of tankini, as opposed to a bikini, gives you a foreshortening effect. That’s because the ruching at the sides allows for a curve at the waist, which is a visual minimiser. This style we found by Quicksilver in sizes 8-14 for £43.00, available by mail order from the Additions catalogue. To see the full range of swimwear featuring Adidas, O’Neil, Playboy, Little Miss and an excellent in house selection tel. 0845 30 0005 www.additionsdirect.co.uk

For full tummies and bottoms the vertical stripe is your best ally. See how a streamlined effect is created by this style. The horizontal stripes across the bosom gives a fullness, which will balance out the body making you look even trimmer at the waist. It’s lined at the front for extra support and is a great style for curvaceous bodies whatever height. This style is from the La Redoute Catalogue, sizes 14-20 and cost £27.00. More from La Redoute below.

By far the best selection of swimwear we found from one place was in the La Redoute Catalogue and this costume with matching sarong is a great design for tall bodies – see how the horizontal lines of the costume and indeed the sarong breaks up the vertical lines a tall body creates. The large floral pattern is the right size also for a larger fuller body, creating a soft feminine feel. The costume has an integral bra and detachable straps – again strapless is a great option for tall as well as full shoulders and arms. In sizes up to 22, this swimsuit is £35.00 with the sarong at £21.00 might at first seem a tad more expensive than you would pay, but the overall effect is stunning is it not? To see a great range of swimwear designs from Elle, Speedo, Dim, Banana Moon and their Aqua sculpting range for extra toned tummies and hips call 0870 0500 455 for a catalogue or log on to www.redoute.co.uk

This pale wrap halter costume is the embodiment of ‘beach chic,’ Great for a taller body also because the low v-neck and detail at the waist creates a focus lower down the body, creating a foreshortening effect and also a fuller shape because the v-neck is a great bosom minimiser and elongates the neck while the detail just under the bust creates a waist. In sizes 12-24 at a cost of £23.00 the costume has a bra shelf liner for extra support and is available from The Store. Order a catalogue on 0870 053 53 53 or visit www.thestoredirect.com

Our highstreet recommendations for the best swimwear buys.

Top marks to M&S who put out their swimwear range ultra early. There’s a great mix of skimpy and modern styles – refresher coloured stripe mix ‘n’ match tankinis and reversible colour blocked sets to Bond Babe belted bikinis as well as more traditional styles. Cup sizes from 34a to 40F hang with deep briefs and skimpy boy pants. Bottoms around £9.00 Secret support tanks at £25.00

Next have got a whole beach bonanza of surfing looks with Hippy florals, Hawaiian photographic prints, crochet-effect strings and Bond babe looks are mixed with sporty wetsuit inspired swimsuits. Swimsuits at £22.99

Debenhams are offering more surfy brights and Bond babe looks but they’ve got Jasper Conran who gives everything a touch of class – his black diamante and 1950’s moulded cup bikinis are way beyond cool. Sizes to an F cup are covered and prices hover around the £30.00 mark.

Bhs Great selection of traditional looks and trend oriented styles with the 1950’s – style tie front bikinis and bandeau bikinis. Their mix and match feature – choose any shape and size you want – this season in any colour or pattern is a great resource and best of all in costumes they offer a longer body fit as well as standard. Cup sizes are from A to DD/E and up to size 22. Best prices with costumes at £10 to £15 but there is less secret support and firming options.

And finally, always look for British Standard UV lenses when you are shopping for sunglasses. The lens will then protect your eye from harmful rays.