Tis the season (to be traumatized)

Summer's almost here and if the thought of wearing a swimsuit in public makes you want to hibernate all season long, you're not alone. Don't fret. Whatever your body issue, you can look stylish and fabulous at the beach or pool. It starts off with knowing your body—the good and the bad. Just like dressing in real life, the key to looking your most amazing in a bathing suit is about flaunting your assets—say sexy shoulders, toned abs or lean legs, and playing down your weaknesses.

"Be realistic," advises stylist Bridgette Raes, author of Style Rx: Dressing the Body You Have to Create the Body You Want ($10.85, amazon.com). "Some women hope that a bathing suit is going to completely eradicate a figure flaw. Unfortunately, bathing suits don't have magical powers. Instead, a more realistic goal is to find the most flattering swimsuit that will do the body the most justice."

Take a good, hard look

Sounds so easy, but we all know finding that suit takes some style savvy. The first step, Raes says, is to analyze your body and decide what areas you would like to improve. "For example, if your chest is small you may consider enhancing it," she says. "Or, you may have a tummy you want to minimize. Be clear on what you want your swimsuit to do for you."

Accepting reality

Sound obvious? It may be, but so many women lose focus upon seeing a sea of gorgeous swimsuits modeled by equally gorgeous swimsuit models. "You have to look at addressing your body issues in a cause-and-effect type of manner," Raes explains. "It is so easy to get emotional, frustrated and confused when buying swimsuits, so keep a rational mind." After taking inventory of your body, you'll know what areas you want to downplay and you can start shopping for a flattering swimsuit. "The more you show off your preferred parts, you will naturally create a distraction from the parts you don't care for as much," Raes says. And remember: confidence and acceptance are universally flattering—no one will be staring at your figure flaws when you're out having fun at the beach or pool. "There comes a point in every woman's life where she needs to accept that she's not going to look like a Victoria's Secret model." So get ready to look fabulous at the beach and beyond with the following swimsuits that are guaranteed to flatter you—based on your body type.