Last year, women in the UK spent nearly a billion dollars on swimwear. That's not surprising -- what is, however, more than a bit shocking, is the fact that 45 percent of those purchases have yet to see the light of day.

That's right -- according to recent research, about 250 billion pounds (nearly $500 billion) was spent on bikinis that have never and possibly will never be worn because the people who bought them don't feel comfortable enough with their bodies to don the merchandise in public.

What gives, ladies? Are we buying these swimsuits with the hopes of being inspired to slim down by their presence in our closets? Or are we just hoping we'll work up the courage to bare all once the inevitable trip to the beach becomes a reality?

Wait -- that's not all. Here are some other startling bikini facts:

Put a little sexy in your swim. Photo: Zimmermann

You've been working up a sweat all summer and it shows -- you're hot! And it's high time you got a treat for all your hard work. We just might be able to make that happen.

This week, we're giving away a fabulous (and flattering) Zimmermann Papillon Underwire Bikini here at That's Fit, and over at our stylish sister site, StyleList, we're giving away the Zimmermann Papillon Frill One-Piece. Both suits are super exclusive -- they won't even be available for purchase until fall. And, both are absolutely gorgeous.

Designer Nicky Zimmermann wouldn't have it any other way. She told us a bit about what she sees as major trends in swimwear this year. "There's a big movement in the swim category towards sophisticated one-pieces, and a bustier shaped bikini paired with a low slung pant," she says. "The easiest way to wear these trends is with confidence!"

She also recommends trying on lots of styles in the fitting room, but look for good construction and quality fabric. This suit certainly fits the bill. And it could be yours -- enter for a chance to win today!

• To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling about your favorite (healthy) poolside activities.
  
• The comment must be left before 5pm ET on Friday, July 24, 2009.
  
• You may enter only once at That's Fit and once at StyleList.
• One winner from each site will be selected in a random drawing.
  
• One winner will receive a Zimmermann Papillon Underwire Bikini (valued at $230).
  
• Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
• Click here for complete Official Rules. Winner will be notified by email, so make sure to check next week to find out if you've won!

Depending on where you live, summer may be right around the corner, or it might already be here. And you know what that means ... bathing suit season! If the thought of being out in public in a bikini makes you cringe, don't worry -- you have time to join America Takes It Off and get your body where you want it to be, and if, by some slight chance, your body doesn't end up looking quite the way you planned before your next trip to the beach, you have wardrobe options (check out the gallery if you don't believe me).

First of all, let's take a minute to talk about your body. I'm hoping that you love every inch of it, but if there are some things you'd like to change, I'm right there with you. Perhaps you're not too confident about your mid-section, or there's a little more junk in your trunk than you'd like. Or, maybe you're really thin and wish you had more curves. What we all need to do is realize what parts of our bodies we like best and figure out how to play up those assets when we put on our bathing suits.

I'm 36. I'm not overweight, but would love to shed, oh, 5 pounds or so. So I guess that means I'm pretty, well, average? So, when it comes to bathing suit shopping, I'm not filled with dread, but it's not my favorite thing, either. I'm beyond my string bikini days. In fact, I don't know if I ever had one. But I'm definitely not ready for the black one-piece with a skirt down to the middle of my thighs.

I've been successful in the past couple of years at finding something in this in-between category. And this season, I'm actually feeling a little excited when it comes to choosing a bathing suit -- or three!

In recent weeks the catalogues have been arriving in my mailbox and I've discovered within the pages some real-life swimsuits that look cute, provide some cover but are far from dowdy.