The resolve to wear a bikini can be seriously shaken by the actual process of buying one.

Even buying a swimsuit has been quite traumatic for me, so much so that I often have two of any one swimsuit in my wardrobe - such was my relief at finding one that looked okay!

So here are a few simple tips that have made my swimwear buying life much, much happier!

Tip 1 - Try everything

According to popular fashion advice, not only should I be sweating in a one piece swimsuit, if I do dare to wear a bikini it should be an underwired jobbie with massive bottoms... uh... no.  What I have actually found works for me is the type of bikini everyone warns you about.  It’s actually the halter neck string bikini (shock horror!)

Halter neck - well just because I think it suits me and I think it gives better support - not to mention you can avoid strap marks on your back.

But the string part?  Well I find that, as long as the material in the cup and bottom areas is enough to cover your assets, you can adjust the string each time to make sure that it is really tight under your boobs and around your bottom - so I actually find it’s more secure.

I find that swimsuits tend to “tent” over everything, but as an hourglass woman with big boobs and bum anything that comes in under my boobs looks soooo much better.  Also I figure if my boobs look really good in a bikini no one is going to look at anything else!

But as I say... try everything.  The only reason I tried a halter string was because a very good sales lady in Yamamay (Rome) kept bringing me gorgeous things... and once we got the bikini right she kept on... with matching flip flops, shorts, swim vests, sarongs... I spent a lot of money that day!  (Unfortunately the only branch they seem to have in London is in Westfield and they don’t seem to do online sales - but check out the link for their latest collection if you can bear the fact it’s hard to get your hands on!)

Tip 2 - Try at home

Although I have bought a couple of good things after trying them on in changing rooms, sometimes I think it doesn’t quite make up for all those hours in little sweaty changing rooms, and taking off your bra so many times!

I started doing this for bras, because I got sick of trying to find the right size on the rack. 

So avoid hot sweaty changing rooms and relax at home, trying on swimwear with your accessories or even a frozen margarita! (or a cup of tea!)

I often order several colours and sizes of the same style online, and because it’s swimwear it’s small and easy to return.

I highly recommend Simply Beach as it’s where I did a huge order of lots of different brands last year and I had no problem returning anything!

Tip 3 - Try different brands

Once you find a good brand it’s tempting to keep going back, but brands change, and personally I find that swimwear and underwear seem to change fastest of all.

So far my favourites have all come from different chains: my first underwired safe one from Debenhams, the one that got me hooked on halter necks from Yamamay (in Rome) which was a hand painted Brazilian bikini (not a thong - trust me!), Sainsburys Tu range and my favourite at the moment, Animal.  From my last online shopping spree, (in preparation for surfing in Morocco,) I kept the same style of Animal bikini in black - size 14 and white - size 16 (from Bikini Shack) and both are fantastic on. 

I’ve also struck out and had to return bikinis from Accessorize, Speedo, Debenhams and simply too many places to list!

And that’s it, 3 easy tips and I hope you find your perfect bikini!