NOT SO ITSY BITSY TEENY WEENY UNDER WIRED GREAT BIKINI!

In seven days I'll be on a beach in Malia with my friend who is a 'perfect' size 8. In great anticipation of a much deserved holiday I've got everything I need in my beach bag of holiday essentials; flip flops, suntan lotion, sunglasses, make up. You name it, I've got it.

...Except one item which all beach goddesses should have; A bikini.

The Dilemma
Where do I begin? For starters you simply cannot avoid the tanned, toned 'Kylies' and 'Christinas' modeling the skimpiest of bikinis. So why can't I find one that makes me look like I belong on a beach in Brazil with the likes of Gisele?

Well perhaps it's because at 5'1, I'm not the leggiest of women. Or maybe because I'm not a size 6 with abs to die for? Or maybe it's because the sexiest of practical bikinis are seemingly non-existent? Which in turn means that my (not the perkiest, even at the tender age of 20) 36 DD bust will be nearer my freshly painted toe nails than one would like!

The Solution
So what can be done? For starters avoiding padded bikini tops is essential, unless looking like a blow up doll is the look you're aiming for. Padded bikinis will just make you look bulky and that's definitely a 'no go' area if you are particularly apple shaped like me.

OK, so what can us busty girls go for? Under wired, under wired, under wired! Need I say it more? Unless you have been surgically enhanced or by some gift of nature you are as perky as Jessica Rabbit then under wired is the way to go.

We need the extra support that these flimsy triangles can't provide us with. This narrows our options down immensely when it comes to the high street. Choices seem to be standard under wired bikini tops or spending your well earned holiday savings on expensive specialist suppliers. Have no fear, I have conducted a little under cover under wire investigation of my own...

My Saviours
In my investigations to find the perfect bikini that will hide my lumps and support my bumps, I found these hidden treasures:

If you're not keen on the idea of Internet or catalogue shopping, look no further than Next or Marks & Spencer to check out their range of swimwear.

Next bikinis are definitely worth a look. Most of their bikinis are under £14 and about £10 for the bottoms. The styles of their bikinis are really varied, and come in under wired halter necks, bandeaus and tankinis with hidden bra support. Look out for the bikinis that have Next 'shape enhancing bikini briefs' that control your tummy.

The choice of print goes from plain pinks, blacks and whites, through to floral, polka dots and animal prints. My best buy at Next would have to be the 'Pink Plain And Surf Reversible Bikini Top' at only £13.99 you can't go wrong with a two in one and its under wired! Genius.

Just make sure you try before you buy. Buy a bikini in the right size to get perfect support and to stop you looking squashed! The cup sizing at Next isn't fantastic as they're measured in dress sizes from a 6 to 20. Those of you who need precise measurements should be wary if ordering from the net.

Marks & Spencer also offer a good range with most bikinis in cup sizes at reasonable prices. Do take care with horizontal strips though, as this will only make your bust look bigger and your body shorter. Strips aside, M&S do a great under wired halter neck bikini and shorts in light blue and watermelon. Avoid shorts if you're below 5'5, as this will make you look even shorter. Instead opt for high leg bottoms, as this will make your legs look longer.

M&S have a range of swimwear called 'Body Shapers'. Check out some of their cossies, which will work miracles for your bust, tummy and bum and still look like a diva on the poolside in black with a pink and white trim.

If you're still not convinced there's a bikini out there to make you feel like a beach goddess then look at www.amplebosom.com and www.bravissimo.com that stock Anita swimwear who make bikinis up to a size 42H, and Fantasie who go up to 36G.

...In the suitcase it goes...
So there you have it, proof that there are places out there who can provide a 'not so itsy bitsy teeny weeny great under wired bikini' for women who are a little more curvaceous on top (and on the bottom). Curves should be celebrated and what better place to do that than on the beach in Malia. So I will be investing in a couple of these gems, throwing them in my already overpacked suitcase and heading for the sun safe in the knowledge that I have as much support for my curves as my friends back home are giving to the England team in Euro 2004!

- Article by Jessica Andrews