Shopping for jeans and shopping for swimwear are two of Rachael's least favorite activities ... and with summer right around the corner, it's the swimwear that's on everyone's mind. Luckily, Rachael found some women brave enough to model their old swimsuits in exchange for a bathing suit makeover! Armed with hundreds of suits in different sizes and styles, Rachael's fashion buddy Gretta and Lycra expert Emily Richeda help these women find the right swimwear to flatter their figures once and for all!

Emily explains the one goal every woman should have when shopping for a suit. "It's all about flattering your assets and figuring out what you like the best about your body and how to really highlight that so you feel confident," she says. Gretta steps in and the two offer these tips:

• Look for adjustable straps to guarantee a customized fit

• A higher cut leg elongates your figure

• Adding fabric does not necessarily hide flaws

• Underwire bra cups add additional support

• Separates "So few women are the same size on top as they are on the bottom," Gretta says. "You can buy a separate size for the top than you do the bottom to get an individual fit. Size doesn't matter -- fit does!"

In terms of material, Gretta advises, "If you are the person who doesn't want to shop a lot for a suit, then invest in the best -- Xtra Life Lycra" because "it is going to last longer than a terry cloth suit or a crocheted suit; they're going to fall apart quicker. And once you have that Lycra suit, don't machine wash it. That stretches it out and fades the color out of the suit. And if the suit has jewelry like gromets and things, machine washing will take them right off. Machine washing doesn't work and hanging it doesn't work."

Clad in their fashionable, figure-flattering suits, Tasha, Corinna and Mae show off their new beach-ready looks. But, ultimately, shopping for a swimsuit doesn't have to be a nightmare. "There are so many bathing suits now," Emily says, "that are actually developed with these problems areas in mind, whether it's thighs or busts or whatever it is, to make you feel more comfortable. It's all about confidence."

Online Extra! Gretta has one final swimsuit that you must see!

Special thanks to:

Anne Cole Coco Reef

Leilani

Michael Kors

Silhouette Solutions

Baltex DKNY

Liz Claiborne Miraclesuit

Sofia

Becca

Hermanny by VIX

LL Bean

Nautica

Speedo

Be Creative

Hot Tuna Lucky Brand

OP

Studio Shan

Betsey Johnson

It Figures

Magic Bra

Red Carter

VIX

Calvin Klein Karla Coletto Magic Suit

Roxanne

Carmen Marc Valvo Lands' End

Matari

Sauvage