Speedo has introduced a new range of swimwear for women. Shapeline is the result of a three year project during which Speedo Aqualab technologists scanned the body shapes of 5,400 real women.

The swimwear manufacturer claims the measurements many manufacturers use as the basis of women's sizes are completely inaccurate. Since the 1950s when the measurements were first taken, women have become taller, larger round the waist, and have bigger hips and busts. Is it any wonder then that most of us can't find a swimsuit to fit?

The swimwear manufacturer claims its new Shapeline suits are as close to a made to measure swimsuit as you can get. But does Speedo's Shapeline live up to the hype?Shiny Style went along to Speedo's London Covent Garden Store to find out.

The first difference with the Speedo Shapeline suit is you need to be professionally measured for your suit. Waist, hip, bust and body length measurements are essential to getting the right fit. The suit comes in sizes 10 to 20 and cup sizes 30B to 34G and the theory is once your individual measurements are taken into account you should get a costume which fits so well that it looks as though it has been made just for you.

Speedo's research reveals that women's bodyshapes fall into three distinct categories: Bottom Hourglass, women who have bottoms and hips that are bigger than their chests; Hourglass, women who have equally wide hips and chests; and Top Hourglass, women who have chests and shoulders bigger than their bottom and hips.

Speedo has developed three styles of swimsuits to enhance each of these body shapes: The Bustshaper, the Waistshaper and the Tummy and Hip Sculptor. I came out as a top hourglass with a long body so the Bustshaper was the suit for me.

Trying it on for the first time was an experience in itself. For a start it is not easy to get into. The Bustshaper has an integral bra inside which needs to be folded down at the front while you pull on the lower half of the suit. The costume itself feels a little bit like a corset and it is also quite difficult to fasten the bra up at the back. But it is worth persevering. Once the suit is on it looks fantastic.

Used to seeing my reflection in a swimsuit which cuts into my shoulders and squashes my bust into a mis-shapen doughnut just above my bulgy midriff, I was not prepared for what I saw. My bust was defined and up where it should be, my waist and tummy looked neater and flatter and the longer straps sat comfortably on my shoulders. No digging, no rubbing, no red marks. For once I didn't feel depressed looking at myself in a swimsuit in the changing room mirror! I would be happy to stroll down the beach or lounge on the side of the pool in this suit all day.

Available from Speedo stores, Bravissimo, Fenwick and Rigby and Peller, The Shapeline is probably more for the recreational then the serious swimmer and at £100 it's not cheap. But it does flatter your best bits, disguise the bits you don't like and makes you feel amazingly confident . Surely that has to be worth splashing out on.

For more swimming-related stories visit Goggleblog.

By Wendy Knowles

Over the past few days we have seen Lindsay Lohan celebrating her 23rd birthday with pals at Wet Republic, MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas. The star has been getting about in a series of different swimsuits, much to the delight of camped out paparazzi. She was even rumoured to have pocketed $70,000 to swan about poolside and pose for photographers - it's a hard life isn't it? So what do we make of Lindsay's red cutaway Herve Leger bikini, which she teamed with a pair of heavily fringed platforms? Is this look hot or not? Vote below.

[Source: Image]

While some celebrity lines are cracking under the economic strain, others including Jessica Simpson's, appear to be flourishing. The singer/actress is expanding her popular fashion empire to include swimwear. She has signed a licensing agreement with Red Carter LLC to produce a full range of swimming attire including separates and cover-ups in a variety of bright colours, animal and floral prints. The range will wholesale from $15.50 up to $58, and is set to launch in December 2009.

Just when it can't get any colder here on the East Coast, Louis Vuitton is here to remind us what the sun looks like. For more pics of bathing suits, sunglasses and shoes for spring/summer 2009, keep reading.

Swimsuits with extreme cutouts of nearly every configuration are a big trend this summer.

But it seems to us like if you want to show off a lot of skin, bikinis are often more flattering and functional.

This spotty one piece from Topshop (can't wait till you get to NYC Topshop, kiss kiss!) is a good example of what we're talking about. It's basically a bikini with a long strip attaching the two pieces.

If you're used to one pieces, do cutout suits make you more comfortable than a bikini? Or if you're a bikini bunny, would you try one of these instead? Tell us in the comments below.

We're headed to the shore on Saturday for the first time this season, so we've got sun and sand on our minds.

So we were all about the beach accessories when searching for our Bargain Pick of the Week and we came up with this leopard-print beach towel by Rogan for Target Go International.

While we aren't exactly crossing our fingers for swimming weather on Monday, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer! (Can you hear the cheers? C'mon, join in!)

So we know your swimsuit shopping even if you're doing it in jeans and a sweater. Here are some great choices from Lisa Curran.

What we love about Curran's swimwear is that there are just as many cute one pieces as bikinis. No granny suits here.

For product details, keep reading.

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Our sporty sister site Nollie focused their latest fashion fix on Billabong's summer 2008 collection.

The collection is influenced by Pro Riders Rebecca Woods, Silvana Lima and freesurfer/actress Sanoe Lake.

For product details keep reading.

It's almost time to hit the beach! Nollie, our extreme sports blog for girls, has you covered with the new ladies line from Reef.

The Teamo Supremo T-shirt shown is one of many graphic tees and there's even more swimwear.

Check your local surf shop, or find a Reef location here.

The 2008 Victoria's Swimsuit collection is now available in more than 300 stores for the first time. No more guessing at your size in the catalog and ordering three swimsuits just to return three. Keep reading for more about the Island Girl swim collection launch at the New York City flagship.

Headed somewhere sunny? Or just looking forward to the days of warm weather at home?

Tommy Hilfiger's new swimwear is now available in their online store.

We love the SS Tommy Banded Triangle Top, $48, and Retro Pant with Ties, $40 for Memorial Day, the 4rth of July, or anytime!

But if that's a little too red, white, and blonde for you then check out more options after the jump.

While most of us are just shopping the Target Go International Jovovich-Hawk collection, Target is announcing its next designer phenom: Richard Chai.

Seen at left with a look from his Fall 2008 runway show, Chai is an Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation winner.

He joins fellow GO designers Jovovich-Hawk and Rogan Gregory, Target's latest recruits, in offering new ranges this year.

Jovovich-Hawk's collection is selling quickly, while Rogan Gregory's collection, which could be limited to swimwear, is due around May. Chai will launch a limited-edition womenswear collection in early August.

[Images: Getty; Source]

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If you're headed somewhere beachy but want to look more fashionable than freshman amongst the spring breakers, here's our outfit picks. It's always a good idea to stick with a simple color palette when packing for a short trip to maximize combinations. We went with the whites and greens of J.Crew's trastevere halter bikini, $110, - our focal point for this look.

If there's one thing Labor Day weekend signifies - it's one last fling with the beach/lake/pond/inflatable kiddie pool. Or, if you live in warmer climes, it's just one more long weekend in the sun with many more on the horizon (we're totally jealous). Either way, do your sunbathing the stylish way - with SPF and a Lisa Curran bikini like the one sported by Jenny McCarthy, left. The adjustable halter top and shirred brief hipster bottom are available for $60 and $68, respectively.

[Image: Courtesy of Tractenberg & Co.]