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Leading Canadian stylist Alexis Honce shares tips for swimsuit confidence this summer

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 24, 2014 – The warm breeze, the bright sunshine, the backyard gatherings and beach excursions – there’s so much to celebrate now that summer has arrived. However, summer is also swimsuit season, and for many women, wearing one is met with mixed emotions.

According to the recent Kellogg’s Special K Swimsuit Confidence Survey, 44 per cent of Canadian women surveyed1 feel the most self-conscious about their bodies when in a swimsuit. Additionally, a majority (86 per cent) of women2 said their body type affects what bathing suit style they choose.

“Looking great in a swimsuit starts with confidence. You have to eat well, exercise, know your body type and choose a swimsuit that suits you,” says Alexis Honce, Canadian fashion expert and celebrity stylist who has worked alongside celebrities such as Michelle Williams, Shenae Grimes and Tatiana Maslany. “A large part of feeling confident comes from making smart food choices. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast and choosing smart snacks, like the range of delicious options available from Kellogg’s Special K, is a great way to stay on track without sacrificing taste.”

ANATOMY OF A SWIMSUIT

When asked what body part Canadian women feel the most self-conscious exposing when in a swimsuit, 56 per cent of women3 stated that their stomach is their major cause of concern. Other areas include their legs (16 per cent), chest (7 per cent), and arms (1 per cent). Honce, who specializes in dressing and styling real women of all shapes and sizes, offers her insider tips on what swimsuit to choose to bring out your very best you this summer:

Perfectly Pear Shaped

Pear-shaped physiques typically have broader hips and a smaller bust. When selecting a swimsuit, find a style that accentuates your best assets and adds volume to the top half.  Ruffled bikini tops are a great option and are a popular style this season, too.  A bandeaux or tube-top bikini style also helps to widen the shoulders and balance the hips. Brightly colored prints add visual intrigue up top, and are best paired with solid colour bottoms. Be sure to also look for high-cut bikini bottoms which figure flatter by helping to elongate the leg.

Lovely and Large Chested

Bigger busts require the right lift and support in a bathing suit top. Look for styles that have underwire which help shape the chest and keep “the girls” secure, whether you’re playing with your kids at the beach or swimming at the pool.  Wider shoulder straps also help to provide support.  Keep an eye out for swimsuits made of Lycra®, as this more structured material helps to shape the body and create a sleek, smooth line to really enhance those curves. Colour blocked swimwear styles are also very on trend this season and a great choice for this physique.

Amazingly Athletic

Athletic body types are typically lean with a muscular and more rectangular shape. The perfect suit for this shape is one that complements the silhouette, but simultaneously creates a feminine shape. A halter-top swimsuit style with a V-neckline broadens the shoulders, which helps to highlight and define the waist.  For bottoms, look for high-cut styles that tie at the sides. Lastly, mix up the colour and print of your tops and bottoms as this helps to balance and accentuate a longer torso.

On-Point in Plus Size

A really flattering look for plus size physiques is a one-piece suit in a trendy colour-blocking pattern. Keep the colours on the top half of the suit light and look for styles that have darker colours over the tummy and hip area to bring attention up towards the face while enhancing your beautiful silhouette.

The most important thing to remember when choosing a swimsuit is that you should feel like the best version of yourself.  Wearing the right swimsuit, just like wearing a fabulous outfit, should give you a boost of confidence knowing that you look as good on the outside as you feel on the inside. To help embrace swimsuit season with confidence, Canadian women are encouraged to share this infographic on their social networks using the hashtag #SpecialKCanada.

THE GO-TO CEREALS AND SUMMER SNACKS FROM SPECIAL K

It’s no secret that summertime is prime time for indulgent food choices. Outdoor barbeques and dinner parties spent with friends and family, along with afternoon beach trips and long car rides to the cottage are opportunities to over-indulge on calorie-filled foods. Kellogg’s Special K offers a wide range of delicious and convenient breakfast and snack solutions to help every woman stay on track along her weight management journey. Starting your day with Kellogg’s Special K Protein cereal as part of a balanced breakfast helps satisfy hunger and keep you feeling full.  Toss Kellogg’s Special K Pastry Crisps in Cookies & Cream flavour or Kellogg’s Special K Protein Shakes in Café Mocha flavour into your bag before you hit the beach to help stave off hunger. Kellogg’s Special K Cracker Chips in Salt & Vinegar are also a great option for when you want something savoury with a satisfying crunch.

“Nothing looks better than confidence and it starts with making smart lifestyle choices,” says Natasha Millar, Senior Director, RTEC & Beverages, Kellogg Canada Inc. “From eating well, to exercising regularly, to choosing a figure-flattering swimsuit, all go hand-in-hand to help boost confidence.  Kellogg’s Special K* is committed to empowering women with the tools and meal solutions they need to look, but more importantly, feel their very best this summer.”

SUMMER IS IN THE BAG WITH SPECIAL K

From a day at the beach to an afternoon running errands, it’s no question the summer season keeps us on the go. Help greet summer in style, while keeping all your must-have items within reach with the Special K summer beach tote.  This tote is as stylish as it is functional and is specially designed to help you get wherever your sunny day takes you. Visit SpecialK.ca to find out how to claim your free summer tote while supplies last.

ABOUT KELLOGG CANADA INC.

Driven to enrich and delight the world through foods and brands that matter, Kellogg Canada is the leading producer of ready-to-eat cereal in Canada. Every day, our well-loved brands nourish families so they can flourish and thrive. These include All-Bran*, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes*, Corn Pops*, Eggo*, Froot Loops*, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes*, Kashi*, Kellogg's* Two Scoops* Raisin Bran, Mini-Wheats*, Nutri-Grain*, Pop-Tarts*, Pringles*, Rice Krispies*, Special K* and Vector*. Through our Breakfasts for Better Days™ global philanthropic initiative,  we’re providing 1 billion servings of cereal and snacks – more than half of which are breakfasts – to children and families in need around the world by the end of 2016. To learn more about our responsible business leadership, foods that delight and how we strive to make a difference in our communities around the world, visit www.kelloggcompany.com. To learn more about Kellogg Canada’s efforts in these areas, please visit www.kelloggs.ca.

* © 2014, Trademark of Kellogg Company used under licence by Kellogg Canada Inc.

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ABOUT THE SPECIAL K SWIMSUIT CONFIDENCE SURVEY, PART ONE

From December 11, 2013 to December 12, 2013 an online survey was conducted among 460 randomly selected Canadian women who engage in fat talk. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 4.6%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a representative sample.

ABOUT THE SPECIAL K SWIMSUIT CONFIDENCE SURVEY, PART TWO

From June 6, 2014 to June 9, 2014, an online survey was conducted among 496 randomly selected Canadian women. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 4.4%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure samples are representative of the Canadian adult female population.

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1 Source: Omnibus poll conducted on December 11, 2013 on the Angus Reid Forum, on behalf of Special K. This online survey comprised 460 randomly selected Canadian women who engage in fat talk. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a representative sample.

2 Source: Omnibus poll conducted on June 6, 2014 on the Angus Reid Forum, on behalf of Special K. This online survey comprised 496 randomly selected Canadian women. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure samples are representative of the Canadian adult female population.

3 Source: Omnibus poll conducted on June 6, 2014 on the Angus Reid Forum, on behalf of Special K. This online survey comprised 496 randomly selected Canadian women. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure samples are representative of the Canadian adult f emale  population.