Find Your Perfect Swimsuit

From left:
Bridget Reilly, 46
Laid off: February 2009
St John suit, $260; neimanmarcus.com

Gwenn Paness, 43
Laid off: January 2009
Perry Ellis suit, top, $75, and bottom, $51, dillards.com

Lili Fateh, 46
Laid off: December 2008
Michael Kors suit, $199; saks.com for stores or 212-753-4000 and 877-551-7257 (saks.com)

Sue Downes, 54
Laid off: January 2008
St John suit, $270; southbeachswimsuits.com

Sue Downes, 54

Zip it up, strap it on, buckle up..it’s bathing suit body armor, perfect for battling the crowds on the beach

Nina swimwear suit, $265; ninaswimwear.com for contact information

Dior plastic sunglasses, $295; solsticestores.com for store locations

The shape is sporty and the green accents pop. If your waist is small, the belt with show it off perfectly

JAG suit, $98; dillards.com for stores

The tiny two-piece gets little gold accents – the perfect hint of beach bling

VIX suit, top, $74, and bottom, $74; vixswimwear.com

The magic of this suit is on the bottom; a wrap with rouching that will hold you in

Anne Cole Collection suit, top $76, and bottom, $60; annecole.com

In this bikini, you’ll bare all (or most); the sparkle comes from sea-inspired danglers

Old Navy suit, top $20, and bottom, $20; 800-653-6289

Bridget Reilly, 46

Swimwear in black and white looks as sharp and powerful as a pinstripe suit

Carmen Marc Valvo suit, $158, dillards.com for stores

The top lines add visual oomph where you’re small, while the black bottom minimizes

DKNY suit, $112; macys.com for stores or 212-695-4400

A good alternative to an allover print, with a full-coverage bottom

La Blanca suit, top, $73, and bottom, $57; swimnsport.com

The diagonal lines are slimming; the asymmetry looks new

Raise the Bar by Kenneth Cole suit, $102; macys.com for stores or 212-695-4400

The oversize anchor makes a statement, and the style is built for swimming

Ralph Lauren Blue Label suit, ralphlauren.com

Gwenn Paness, 43

If you work life was spent in a male-dominated world, here’s the antidote: a suit in one of these ultrafeaminine hues

DKNY suit, top, $60, and bottom, $80; macys.com for stores or 212-695-4400

Dior plastic sunglasses, $295; solsticestores..com for store locations

This suit does the dieting for you with high-tech fabric that fits and firms.

Miraclesuit, $136; Bloomingdale’s, 212-705-2000.

The flirty skirt in a new, chic length gives just enough coverage.

Gap suit, top, $37, and bottom, $37; gap.com or call 1.800.GAPSTYLE

If you’re small-busted but crave big impact, go for this deep v-neck one-piece.

Eres suit, $445; eres.fr for store information

Cleverly spaced markings on this suit create a slimming optical illusion.

Boss Black suit, $275; hugoboss.com for store locator

Lili Fateh, 46

Does the job hunt have you stressed? A pop of pattern may be just the distraction you need

Jean Paul Gautier suit, $395; select Saks Fifth Avenue stores, 212-753-4000

The wide band across the rib cage ensures that this top will stay put

Tommy Bahama suit, top, $77, and bottom, $56; tommybahama.com

Coverage up front, not on the flip side. Got a great back? Flaunt it.

Escape by Kenneth Cole suit, $98; kennethcole.com for stores

Talk about liquid assets: underwater imagery in a spectrum of flattering blues

Tibi suit, $190; C. Orrico, 561-659-1284

Great 1940s styling with a modern abstract design. Body ruching is a figure-fixer.

Trim Swim by Jantzen suit, $110; dillards.com for stores