SWIMWEAR shopping is something that terrifies a lot of people. Baring all that flesh after a long, cold winter can be a daunting prospect but ANGELA POPLETT, Lakeside’s Personal Shopper, is here to help you find the right swimwear and accessories to make you feel great for summer.

“The best place to start when shopping for swimwear is to work out which are your best assets! Highlighting those and drawing attention away from the rest will boost your confidence so you’re ready to hit the beach in style.

“If you’ve got short legs and a long torso, for instance, you’ll look great in a high leg swimsuit as it will instantly make your legs look longer.

"Horizontal stripes are also great for you because they shorten the torso. Try the 1950s-inspired pieces in Accessorize at Lakeside as these should tick all of the boxes for you.

“If you’re a pear shape then the trick is to draw attention away from your bottom and towards the top half of your body. You can achieve this very easily by choosing a swimsuit with a plain bottom half but lots of detail (like pattern or ruffles) on top. BHS in Lakeside stocks great shapewear if you want something that’ll hold you in! “For straight and lean ladies, cut-away swimsuits are absolutely perfect because they add shape and interest.

"Celebrities like Jessica Biel and Paris Hilton love this look which epitomises summer glamour. My first port of call for this style would be River Island, but Lakeside’s Monsoon has a lovely chocolate brown option, too, which is really flattering if you have pale skin.

“For an hourglass figure, the best advice is to buy based on bra size and get it fitted by a professional. Lingerie shops at Lakeside including Boux Avenue, Marks and Spencer and La Senza offer this service for free and it’s well worth spending the time getting it right. A supportive bikini can make a big difference to your confidence, too. “Finally, if you’re an apple shape, you tend to carry your weight on the tummy so your first instinct may be to cover up.

"House of Fraser stocks a lovely range of floral cover-ups by Ted Baker if this is the route that you want to go down, but if you’re tired of hiding then go for a swimsuit that’s plain around the middle and has detail on the straps to steal focus.

"Apple-shaped ladies also tend to have lovely legs so make sure you show them off, if this is you.

For more fashion advice, book a free appointment with Lakeside’s Personal Shopper by visiting www.lakeside.uk.com or following Lakeside on Facebook (www.facebook.com/lakeside).

Lakeside is open from 10am - 10pm weekdays, 9am – 9pm Saturday and 11am – 5pm Sunday.