There are many beautiful women in the world just waiting to enjoy the beaches and pools this summer. And, guess what? They are not all a size 4.

The average woman is a size 14. The women you typically see on television or on billboards modeling clothing, especially swimwear, are about a size 0. It took some time, but clothing manufacturers have finally decided to take a page out of the Real Woman handbook and create daring, bold swimsuit styles for women of all shapes and sizes.

Where to Shop

Your average department store may carry swimwear up to a size18. However, for women who are fuller figured, stores like Lane Bryant and Catherines offer swimwear that will actually fit those womanly curves. These stores and others like them will have a much greater variety of swimsuits than the routine department store. Online stores have become very popular for plus size shoppers. If you do shop online, measure yourself carefully to be sure you are choosing the right size when you order.

You no longer have to choose some frumpy, shapeless style that plus size women were forced to buy years ago. Today's suits are bold, colorful, and shapely. You can find swimwear today for lounging by the pool, swimming, or getting active. You can be proud to wear a bathing suit that finally shows off your curvaceous figure.

What to Buy

So, what are you going to pick out? For women with larger bottoms, try a skirted swimsuit. They can be quite stylish and flirty while still covering your upper thighs and your hips. Choosing a darker color gives your bottom a smoother profile and appearance.

For women with larger breasts, you can wear a one-piece with thicker straps for support. Try to find swimsuits that contain a full bra instead of simply a shelf bra so you know you are covered from every angle and well supported. Swimsuits with the V-shape neckline accentuate your cleavage and give you the look of a halter top.

Many plus size swimsuits come with different methods of support. For instance you can buy swimsuits that contain panels and special material that are designed to lift the buttocks or flatten the tummy. They suck you in, in the right places, making you look deliciously sexy and stunning.

Go for bold color where you want to draw the eye. Using color to your advantage, you can show off your legs or your bosom, or whatever your want. Choose a plus size swimsuit that is bright, drapey, fluttery, and flirty in all the right places, either on the top or the bottom depending on your figure, and draw attention to your best features.

Most importantly, choose a suit that FITS! Wearing a swimsuit that is too small for you because you don't want to shop in the plus size section is a swimsuit disaster waiting to happen. There is nothing more appealing than seeing a woman who looks confident in what she's wearing - especially a swimsuit. And when your swimsuit fits properly, you will feel confident.

Whoever said that plus size women had to look frumpy in their swimwear is sadly mistaken. Every woman can look beautiful in a swimsuit built for her size and shape, especially a woman as wonderfully curvaceous as you!