Ladies it's that time of year again - time to pack as much stuff as possible into a tiny suitcase and hit the pool and the beach, and unless you are off to a nudist beach, I am guessing you will need something to find something to wear. Thanks to the internet shopping for a swimsuit just got easier. Gone are the days of fitting rooms, harsh florescent lights and wishing that you hadn't endulged in so much late night snacking. Now you can order a vast array of swimwear online, try them in the comforts of your own home, and return whatever doesn't work. We have put together a simple guide to help you discover what works for you.

One piece swimsuit; the humble one piece swimsuit can be just as sexy as a bikini, as well as evoking a certain classic glamour the one piece can be put to great use highlighting your more attractive curves and hiding others. However if you are looking to hide away areas in a swimsuit a one piece is not always the way to go. Using huge amounts of fabric to cover a large area may actually draw unwanted attention to that very section of the body that you are looking to hide.

Tankinis are a gift to women with long torsos who don't want to go the bikini route, as well as those of us who want the look of a one piece but wear different sizes on the top and bottom. Here's another top tip - look for a tankini in a generally bright color with darker insets on the sides. The insets will make your figure look thinner and more toned.

Bikinis; the range of bikini styles and colours on the market is frankly astounding. Listing them all is worthy of an article in itself however we do have a few great tips for buying a bikini that fits well.

When trying on a bikini top, lift your arms to make sure the top offers enough bust coverage and make sure that it does not creep up on you.

Make sure that you can adjust the straps so you will feel comfortable and secure in your bikini top. I know that I have had my fair share of popping out disasters by not following this point.

If you are looking at a bikini with a built-in underwire, you should follow the same rules as when shopping for a bra.

Your breasts should fill the cups of your bikini top completely without spilling over (we have all seen that woman who has made this mistake).

Above all for the best top sizing, looks for manufacturers that offer bra sizing. If you cannot find such a manufacturer with a swimsuit style you like, look for a top with adjustable or tie straps at the back and neck.

By following the tips outlined in this article and as long as the swimwear fits comfortably and highlights desirable characteristics you can go far wrong.