Swimsuits For Women Of Every Body Type

Summer's almost here, and that means it's time to start digging out those swimsuits and getting ready for the big reveal!

On The Early Show on Friday, style expert Gretta Monahan showed her swimsuit picks for different body types.

Monahan told Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez women make many of the same mistakes when they buy bathing suits.

"It's a daunting task. All of a sudden, it's here and you're freaked out, and when (women) go out, they don't pick swimsuits to really flatter them," Monahan said.

She points out there are shapes and patterns that really flatter certain body types -- and ones that don't.

"If it doesn't go with your body," she said, "you never feel quite right."

She added some women just find the task too much and avoid it, meaning they wear old, faded, out-of-shape suits or don't spend enough time trying on different styles.

On the full bust-line model, Monahan said she went with a halter top and bottom by Becca by Rebecca Virtue (top $74 bottom $64, BCBG shoes).

The halter top, Monahan said provides the most support and lift for the chest, because they flatter narrow shoulders. Also, the deep "V" neck, she said, elongates the figure and lessens the fullness of the bust, but still allows women to show off their cleavage.

Monahan said top-heavy women should avoid horizontal stripes because they have a widening affect. Monahan also suggest avoiding bandeau style tops that accentuate the width of the chest, instead of offering the lifting affect of a halter.

The boy-shaped model wore a cut out one piece (Victoria's Secret $60, Ralph Lauren shoes) that Monahan said, will create feminine curves -- the goal for this body type. To achieve that look, Monahan suggests a suit that gives the illusion of hips.

She said boy-shape women should avoid solid-colored or horizontally striped one-piece suits, because it will only contribute to the boy look.

For plus-sized women, Monahan said a shaper suit like a Lord & Taylor Miracle suit ($128, Kenneth Cole shoes) will give a slimming effect.

She said the the deep "V" and patterned neck draws the eye up and enhances her cleavage. An additional benefit is the dark color of the suit, which Monahan said is both flattering and slimming.

Monahan added that a sheer sarong can also give you a little confidence, and create a very glamorous look.

Monahan illustrated how pear-shaped women can have a great look in a swimsuit, too.

Pear shaped bodies can be put in a bikini with a bright and highly decorated top, she said. The top draws the eye up from her bottom half and accentuates her top half, which is more petite. She added women with pear shapes should avoid solid color swimsuits.

Monahan said many companies make separate top and bottoms because most women look better in a combination of styles, which can help solve body shape issues.

The pear-shaped model wore a Vix long triangle swimsuit (Top $68 Bottom $74, Michael Kors shoes).

And an hourglass shape can't be left out. The model wore a suit by Karla Colleto ($258, Michael Kors shoes) that Monahan said channels Marilyn Monroe.

"You don't need to show skin to be sexy," Monahan said.

She said women with this shape can have full coverage in a simple suit, because the shape is sexy enough to carry the look.