Fashion: Top tips to find the best swimsuit

It's that time of the year again: when we drag ourselves to the shops in pursuit of the elusive perfect swimsuit.

If the idea of swimsuit shopping fills you with dread, we've compiled some tips to make the process slightly easier:

Higher cuts make legs look longer. Lots of women opt for shorts if they're self-conscious of their bottom halves, but this can make your legs look shorter.

Choose a swimsuit that has a pattern on any part of your body you want to draw attention to - and not on the parts you don't like. A dark bikini bottom with a floral top will draw the eye up.

Ruching and any other kind of detailing should be avoided on any part of your body you want to minimise.

Swimsuits with cutouts or rings on the side of the bottom will make your hips look slimmer.

Brush your hair and put on some makeup before you go shopping. A spray tan can make you look slimmer and is probably more representative of what you'll look like when it's time to put on your new swimsuit, anyway!

New retro high-waisted bikini bottoms are a good option for anyone who doesn't want to show off the stomach.

If you have a long, lean figure, V-necks or halters can help add definition.

Many styles are available in control fabrics that will suck your body in, in all the right places. Ezibuy is a good source of swimsuits with hidden control!

If you find a swimsuit that looks good but is hideously uncomfortable, don't buy it.

Look for good quality fabric. Anything that is too thin will go baggy as soon as you get it wet.

Triple-check for any transparency. There's nothing worse than looking down and seeing a bit too much on display.

Lining should be completely attached. Plastic detailing is more likely to break than metal ones, although metal can heat up quickly.

Sarongs or boyfriend shirts are a good option to cover up on the way to and from the beach - don't be tempted by a swimsuit with a skirt!