Hey there! Whether you’ve competed before, or you are just thinking about competing in a bikini competition or a figure competition, the one question everyone wants an answer to is “What do the judges want?” You might be feeling a bit lost about how to choose the perfect competition suit for your big day on stage. No worries – we’re here to help!
But first, let’s understand what the judges are looking for in competitors – Well, many people find it confusing because they see different athletes with different body types winning shows. This is because different federations have different rules and regulations regarding the bikini & figure competition categories. Figure competitors are overall more bulky than bikini competitors and have softer muscles.
In every competition, there has to be a winner. The judges have specific criteria they use to decide who wins. They consider things like muscle definition, shape, and overall appearance. So, there’s a method to the madness, and it’s not about “bad judges” or politics. Usually for figure competitions judges look for clear and heavy muscle definition in the upper as well as lower body, whereas in a bikini competition, it’s important to have an hourglass image, with muscles not overpowering the overall delicately sculpted body definition.
Now, let’s talk about the second most important thing the judges judge your performance on – Your figure & bikini Competition Suit
Before anything else, it’s a good idea to visit the organization’s website you wish to compete in. Look for any rules about what kind of competition suits you should wear and how much skin you will be allowed to show. This could be the NPC OCB, IFBB, or any other federation organizing the event. Their website will tell you what’s allowed when it comes to swimsuits.
1. The Color of Your Competition Suit
The color of your bikini competition suit is a crucial starting point. It can really make or break your entire stage performance! Your competition suit also enhances your natural skin tone and makes you shine on stage. Here’s how to choose the right color:
- Pick Your Favorite Colors: Start with the colors you love, but remember you will be covered in beautifully bronze tan on your show day.
- Keep an Open Mind: Sometimes, you may walk in with one color in mind but leave with something completely different. The right color should make you feel confident, just like when you put on a special outfit.
- Some safe color options for first-timers are shades of blue, emerald, and violet.
2. The Bikini Cut
The cut of your bikini or figure competition suit is super important because it should show off your curves and also be set based on the federation you’re competing in. There are different bottom styles – some with modest coverage levels for your glutes and some that only cover about 10-20%. Remember, it’s all about those beautiful muscle curves! Here’s what you need to know:
- Bottoms: Avoid straight-line bottoms as they can make your glutes appear flat. Instead, go for a rounded shape to enhance your muscle curves.
- Torso Length: If you have a long torso, wear your bottoms a bit higher. For shorter torsos, go lower to create the illusion of a longer waist.
- Back Cut: The back of your bikini should have a “V” shape that follows the curve of your glutes. This shape makes your waist look smaller and your glutes rounder.
3. Bikini Tops
There are different styles of bikini tops, and your choice depends on your body type and personal preferences:
- Adjustable Drawstring Cup: This is the classic choice that does not have an inbuilt cup. The scrunched fabric at the bottom part of the cup allows you to decide how much of your breasts you want to show when you’re on stage. This choice is also great for people with implants as the flexibility of fabric covers the breasts even while moving around and doing different poses. One also has the flexibility to stuff in extra padding to give a nice lift.
- Molded Triangle Cup: These tops are stitched with triangular padding, and are great for lift and good cleavage. These work very well for women with no implants as they make the top look fuller.
- Underwire Top: The underwire top is excellent for lifting and enhancing your cleavage, with a lot of coverage. This top style has the maximum amount of coverage and is pretty stiff on the top. So usually women who have implants can feel a little uncomfortable in this style. But it works great for beginners.
4. Crystal Choices
The crystals on your bikini add sparkle and style. Here’s what you should know:
- Austrian and Preciosa Crystals: These are almost as good as Swarovski but slightly more affordable. Preciosa AB crystals, with color-changing properties, are particularly eye-catching.
- Swarovski Crystals: They are top-notch but very expensive. Perfect for a high-budget, professional look. They can make your bikini very pricey, so think before buying. However, due to Swarovski not manufacturing these crystals anymore, these are on a decline.
- Premium Crystals: These are budget-friendly options usually made in glass. These days a very premium quality of such glass crystals is available making it almost impossible to judge the difference between these and Preciosa crystals from the stage.
- Acrylic Crystals: These are usually very low-budget crystals, which usually fade over time and don’t provide that great a bling on stage.
5. Quality Matters
Quality is a big deal when it comes to competition bikinis because if you cheap out on your suit, it can end up taking away your spotlight.
- Fabric: Choose a high-quality fabric that’s comfortable and enhances the colors. The best competition suit fabric is a 4-way stretch spandex. This fabric allows the suit to fit your body correctly.
- Adjustable Back: When you shop with a well-known suit-making brand, they allow your bottoms to be customizable. This allows you to make easy last-minute changes in your competition suit.
- Extra Crystals: No doubt, a good bikini competition suit has strongly glued crystals. But just in case something happens, keep some extra crystals and glue on hand in case any fall off during your competition.
When you invest in a quality bikini competition suit, it not only looks great but also provides comfort and confidence on stage.
Now, you’re all set to pick the perfect bikini for your competition. Good luck with your prep and on the stage! If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to reach out to us at – [email protected] or shop here – Competition Suit Shop
Remember, your competition bikini should make you feel like a million dollars, so choose wisely and shine bright on that stage! For the ultimate recommendation on the best bikini for competition, don’t forget to explore our dedicated blog post. It’s your shortcut to achieving that winning look.