If you love the beach, bathing suits are probably one of your favorite pieces to shop for. We’re definitely fans of a good swimsuit when heading swimming! All the different colors, patterns, and combinations let you explore your fashion creativity in a new way you don’t get to all year long.
But finding the best swimsuit for you can be tricky, and feeling comfortable and secure in your bathing suit is super important to be confident at the beach. A great way to feel your best and make sure you are comfortable in your swimming attire is making sure you’re wearing the right type of bathing suit for your body type. These will help with providing the proper support and the confidence you already have within you!
Find the Best One-Piece Swimsuits and Bikinis for Curves
Fortunately, for hourglass-figured ladies, this body type is easy to identify. Hourglass body types are shaped like… well, an hourglass! Curvy hourglass figures usually have a waistline that’s noticeably narrower than the top and bottom of their torso, and the shoulders and hips of ladies with hourglass figures are very similar in width. Ladies with this body type may have fuller busts, hips, and thighs. Great swimsuit styles for hourglass figures include:
- Bikinis: Because two-piece bikinis accentuate the perfectly proportioned shoulders and hips of an hourglass figure, ladies with this body type can rock a classic bikini like nobody’s business.
- Swimsuits with underwire: Whether you’re looking for a one-piece or two-piece bathing suit, choose suits with underwire or strategically placed straps to keep your bust fully supported.
- Full coverage bottoms: Want to show more midriff? Full coverage bottoms can help create the appearance of more balanced proportions between your hips and midriff area.
Our designers recommend these Swimsuits for Hourglass Body Types:
-
Island Goddess Halter Tankini Top paired with a ruched swim skirt
How To Choose the Best Swimsuits for Athletic Body Types
Wouldn’t describe your body as “curvy”? Your body type is most likely a rectangle. This body shape is marked by hips and shoulders that are the same or similar width, as well as a straight, indistinct waistline. You may also see this shape referred to as an “athletic” or “banana” body type. If this is your body type, you likely have an average or small bust—but don’t let that stop you from having serious style! The best swimsuits for rectangle body types include:
-
Swimsuits that are fitted in the waist: Ladies with a rectangle body type can use the fit of their swimsuit to play up their shape. Choose a swimsuit that accentuates your waist to give the appearance of curves.
-
Push-up bra style swimsuit styles: Boost your bust for a shapely, full look. Go for suits that have built-in cups.
-
High-waisted bottoms: If your torso is on the longer side with a straight shape, high-waisted bottoms are a great way to break up your body’s proportions visually.
For rectangle body types, our designers recommend:
Find Flattering Swimsuits for a Pear Shaped Body
A triangle or pear body shape is one of the most common body types. Are your hips wider than your shoulders? Does your upper body have more of a slope into your hips than a super-defined waistline? If so, your body type is a triangle. Flattering swimsuit styles for triangle body shapes include:
-
Swimsuits with push-up bras: Playing up your shoulders and bust flatters your body shape, so choose swimsuit tops that have a built-in push-up bra to give you some extra lift up top.
-
Attention-grabbing swimsuit tops: Detailing like ruffles or off-the-shoulder swimsuit styles can also draw more attention to your shoulders and create a proportionate appearance in your torso.
-
High-waisted bathing suit bottoms: Need to give your backside some love? High-waist swimsuit bottoms can elongate your shape and give you the perfect amount of coverage.
For triangle body types, our designers recommend:
Choose the Best Bikinis for a Strawberry Shaped Body Type
An inverted triangle is precisely what it sounds like: an upside-down triangle. In contrast to a triangle body type, this body shape is characterized by shoulders that are wider than hips, and it’s often referred to as a “cone” or “strawberry.” If this is your body type, your waist may be less defined, and your body tapers down or narrows from your shoulders to your hips. The best swimsuits for inverted triangle body types include:
-
Swimsuit bottoms that accentuate your hips: Since your shape is the opposite of a triangle, the features you want to play up are opposite, too. Choose bikini bottoms with side shirring or detailing to accentuate your hips rather than your shoulders.
-
Sweetheart necklines: Give your bust plenty of support and an understated appearance with a sweetheart neckline.
-
Full coverage or tankini bathing suit tops: Try swim tops that cover more of your upper body to keep the focus on your hips and create a balanced look.
For inverted triangle body types, our designers recommend:
Look for Swimsuits To Flatter a Round Body Type
There’s pear, there’s banana, there’s strawberry, and then there’s apple! This body shape is round, with well-balanced hips and shoulders. Ladies with this body shape typically have an average or large bust, shapely legs, and a less visible or undefined waistline. The best bathing suits for oval body types include:
-
Fitted waists in tankini sets or swimsuits: Like with a rectangle body type, oval body types look fantastic in suits that accentuate your waistline. Choose full coverage styles with a slightly cinched waist or one-piece swimsuits that have built-in tummy toners to define your waist.
-
Waistline details: Shirring details around the torso provide visual interest to define and play up your waistline curves.
-
Sweetheart necklines in bathing suit tops: A classic sweetheart neckline can create a well-balanced silhouette to round out the shape of your upper body visually.
For oval body types, our designers recommend:
Bathing Suit for a Bigger Chest
If you have a bigger chest, support is key when it comes to bathing suits. Much like your bras, you want to make sure that your swimwear is supporting your chest properly to avoid any back pain down the line. When picking out either a bikini top or a one-piece look for ones that have thicker over-the-shoulder straps.
These will help distribute the weight over a larger surface of your shoulder, helping with shoulder pain. If you’re going with a bikini top, look for one where the straps go from underneath the bust and have a twisted bust detail for extra support. If you’re opting for a one-piece, look for one that features a cut under the chest. This detail will be an extra supporting element in this case.
Bathing Suit for a Smaller Chest
If you have a smaller chest but want to add some volume to it look for bathing suits with detailing across the bust area. Try going for a suit with ruffles, ruching, or other embellishing details that add volume. Shirring is a great detail to look for in your swim pieces since the gathering it creates will add volume to the chest area. You can also wear styles that are less supportive like bandeau style bikini tops or more in the bralette style.
Bathing Suit for Defining Your Waistline
If you’re looking to define your waist we have got you covered! A great detail to achieve some more definition through your waistline is shirring throughout a one-piece. This detailing will automatically draw your eye toward the center of your body and highlight your curves.
One-pieces with belts at the waistline are also a great option for adding definition to the waist. When it comes to bikinis, your best bet is a high-waisted bottom. Since the waistline will naturally fall around the smallest part of you this will again draw attention to this area, making it stand out and look more defined.
Bathing Suit for Lengthening Your Torso
If you have a short torso or just want to highlight its natural length opt for high-neck options. Having a higher neckline will draw the eye upwards, making you seem longer. This works for both one-pieces and bikini tops. Another great option is halter-style bikini tops since they create a streamlined look with multiple lines drawing the eye upwards.
If you’re looking for some more coverage but still want the option to mix and match your pieces, go for a tankini, these will automatically bring down where your torso ends to match the edge of your top, creating an elongating effect, for more impact pick one with a V neck or one shoulder to further the illusion.
Bathing Suit for Lengthening Your Legs
If you are looking to highlight the length of your legs your best option is bottom pieces that help create that illusion. Look for bottoms that have a high-cut leg, this will draw the eye upwards in this area. By showing a little bit more skin in this area, you’ll elongate your legs instantly. Tie-string style bottoms are also a great option to make your legs look longer.
Conclusion
There are so many options out there that you will surely find the perfect option for your body. We’ve covered everything from practical solutions to visual preferences so you can go out and find the best swimsuit for you. Besides the tips, we’ve given you the most important factor is how you feel in your swimsuit, so make sure to look for pieces that make you feel amazing and confident!
Ready to find the most flattering swimsuit for your unique body? At La Blanca, we design swimsuits for all body types. Your next favorite swimsuit is waiting for you, so take these tips and shop for your perfect fit! Can’t decide on your favorite swimsuits? Order multiple sizes and styles to try out at home, no strings attached. We always offer free ground shipping and returns on orders over $75. What are you waiting for?
Sources:
The Most Flattering Swimsuits for Your Body Type | Glamour
Best swimsuits for every body type | CNN Underscored
The No-Bullsh*t Swimsuit Guide For EVERY Body Type | HuffPost Life