Nothing gets you in the mood for sun, sea and sand like a slinky new swimsuit. Whether you have a beach holiday booked or you're planning on basking in your back garden during the summer months, a flattering and fashionable bikini is a staple buy for the season ahead.

With holidays approaching, swimwear is slowly taking over high street shelves as the weather warms up. From serious swimming action to poolside posing, the swimwear trends get hotter every summer.

"During the past 200 years, no single item of clothing has evolved as dramatically as the swimsuit," says Sarah Kennedy, author of new book, The Swimsuit.

"Skinnier models than ever may be scaring us on the catwalks but on the beaches, real women still look fabulous in their swimsuits."

MAKE A SPLASH

Make your mark on the sand with this season's catwalk-inspired trends featuring metallic or daring flashes of neon. Fashionistas will love J By Jasper Conran at Debenhams' neon detail swimsuit, £40, or La Senza's cut-out metallic silver swimsuit, £25, reserved purely for parading!

"Brown has really taken over from black this year, which is particularly good news for us English roses," says Maria Walker, chief lingerie fitter at John Lewis.

Try House of Fraser's chocolate Anna Cole swimsuit, £83, or Matalan's cut-out brown belted costume, £8.

But if you're craving colour, Maria has this advice: "As your tan develops, look for a brighter style and pattern. There are lots of disruptive prints around this summer that emphasise the bust, waist and hips to create a neat, pretty silhouette.

"Bold colours such as jade green, postbox red and cobalt blues are very popular and will make you stand out on the beach."

SHAPES TO SUIT

Ursula Andress and Halle Berry managed to find the perfect swimsuit posing as glamorous Bond girls. But for us mere mortals, finding an on-trend buy to flatter your bod can be tricky. Maria reveals how to find the best beach buy for you.

BOYISH

"Girls with smaller busts can rejoice in the wearing of bikinis with triangle cups," Maria says. "These provide little support so work better for those with neat busts. Bandeau styles will also emphasise a petite figure."

And if you want to create J-Lo style curves? "Boy shorts look fantastic on this type of figure," Maria says. "They create the illusion of a bigger, more feminine bottom. Choose one with a dramatic, bold print."

Try Dorothy Perkins' retro floral bikini top, £10, and bottoms, £10; F&F electric blue bandeau, £3 at Tesco; Warehouse's print embellished bikini top, £16, and bottoms, £14; or Topshop's cute boat print bikini, £24.

CURVY

"Halternecks give a great look to ladies with bigger busts," Maria advises.

"The neckline is very flattering and will draw attention to feminine shoulders. An underwired option gives shape and definition, lifting the bust and emphasising your waistline. However, avoid large patterns, horizontal stripes and shiny fabrics that over-emphasise curves."

Try Marks & Spencer's jewelled halterneck bikini top, £20, and hipster briefs, £15; Triumph's Diva pinstriped halterneck bikini, £47; Rocha.John Rocha at Debenhams' square supportive print bikini top, £16, and bottoms, £14; or John Lewis' hibiscus halterneck spot bikini top, £16, and bottoms, £12.

PEAR

"High leg bottoms really, really, do make your legs look longer," Maria says emphatically.

"The cut shows off more and creates the illusion of long, lean legs. Avoid shorts at all costs as they tend to stop abruptly at the top of your leg, emphasising the most unflattering part," she adds.

"Choose a plain, dark block colour for your bottom half and co-ordinating but patterned top. This draws the eye upwards so the focus is away from the thighs and hips and focuses on the bust and shoulders instead."

Try Long Tall Sally's contrast tankini, £22; Additions Direct's contrast castaway piped halter bikini, £22; Next's pink surf contrast reversible bikini, £10, and high leg briefs, £10; or Marks & Spencer's black leaf print tankini, £20, and bottoms, £15.

APPLE

"Women who are tummy-conscious should opt for a tankini with an adjustable waistline or a swimming costume that will provide more of a cover-up in this area," Maria recommends. "Look also to disruptive prints that confuse the eye and de-emphasise bigger tummies."

Try John Lewis' blue damask swimsuit, £30; Fat Face's Mai Tai hibiscus print halter tankini top, £19.50, and bottoms, £14.50; Star by Julien Macdonald at Debenhams' purple underwired bikini top, £22, and bottoms, £16; or Next's red shape-enhancing baroq underwired bikini, £12, and high-leg briefs, £8.