Moms and Dads
16 Of The Best Swimsuits For All Body Types
If you’re in the market for a new swimsuit and don’t know where to start, don’t worry! We’ve got you semi-covered (literally)…
There are a few more weeks of sunny weather left and if you have beach trips (or even just trips to the village pool) on the agenda, it’s time again for the hardest part: finding just the right swimsuit for you. With so many choices available, there are a number of things you should keep in mind when looking for the most flattering swimsuit.
How to choose a swimsuit
First, think of which body part you want to flaunt and which part you want to downplay. Do you want to hide your arms but emphasize your curvy waist? Maybe you want to show off your toned tummy that you’ve spent the last 6 months working on? Depending on what you decide, you can narrow down your choices. You can also think of this as buying a swimsuit based on your general body type.
Before we move on, remember that these tips below are just suggestions. What matters most is that you’re comfortable and confident in your swimsuit. If the maillot you fell in love with doesn’t fit “your body type”, buy it anyway! As long as you feel good, you’ll look good, and that’s what matters the most.
If you haven’t found the perfect swimsuit yet and need some help, here are some tips when shopping for swimwear, keeping your body type in mind:
1. If you have a Straight body type
Women with straight body types usually want to create the illusion of more curves and a waist. Look for swimsuits that enhance both your bust and your bottom. Think ruffle details and ruching. A padded or push-up top will also help give you more curves. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, a cut-out suit can also give the illusion of a more hourglass-type figure.
Check out the Alison monokini by Soak Swimwear which features a lot of flattering ruching. The one-shouldered Cat maillot by Naked Sun also creates the illusions of curves with its one-sided neckline and waist detail. Cesa’s Cassidy maillot has ruffled details at the waist which emphasizes and shapes your figure.
2. If you are Pear-shaped
If your hips are bigger than your bust and your waist slopes out to your hips, you have a pear shaped body. Flattering suits for this type of body should draw attention to your bust and neck. Look for suits that are darker in the bottom and lighter or printed on top. V-necklines are also great for drawing attention to your face.
We love this cute navy striped one piece suit from Eika Swim that features a solid navy bottom and a striped-v neck top part. If you’re conscious of your arms, this also features elbow length sleeves, giving it a nice retro feel. If you don’t want to be conscious about your bottom at all, take a look at Speedo’s Swimdress with a double cross back that has a flair skirt.
3. If you are an Inverted Triangle
An inverted triangle type of body has a large bust or broad shoulders, narrow hips, and a not-so-defined waist. Because this body type is top heavy, a flattering suit minimizes the bust and highlights the waist and hips. Look for halter suits that flatter the neckline and collarbone or bikini tops that provide ample support.
Cesa’s Astrid halter maillot has a neckline that draws the eyes to the face and comes with a belt that helps define your waist. Nekid Swimwear has separates that you can mix and match, including underwire bikini tops. Debenhams available at Zalora also has a wide range of underwire tops in fun prints and bright colors that feature good support.
4. If you are an Hourglass
Women with hourglass bodies usually have a bust and hips that are almost the same size and a well-defined waist. Curvy women also fall under the hourglass body type. Luckily, you can wear almost any kind of swimsuit, you might just want to look for suits that offer extra support on top. Cut-out swimsuits also look great on an hourglass figure.
We love Nekid Swim’s Avana maillot’s cut-out waist details and moderate bottom coverage. It also comes with removable pads which is an added plus. Float Swimwear’s Amaya maillot with adjustable straps has a classic silhouette that will flatter all figures. The Amelia suit from Negritas Swimwear is another classic one piece that has a v-neckline with semi-high cut bottoms.
5. If you’re self-conscious of your arms
We know this isn’t exactly a body type, but some women would rather not show their arms. Worrying about how your arms look instead of enjoying your time at the beach or pool is a big no-no, so here are some of our suggested arm-hiding suits
The Katarina suit from Float Swimwear is the perfect bodysuit that completely covers your arms while still showing just enough skin. We love the zipper front that you can adjust to as high, or as low, as you want. A rashguard and a bikini bottom is also a great beach look that downplays your arms. You can get rashguards from Speedo and pair it with any bottom of your choice. Plus points for added sun protection!
6. If you’re self conscious of your tummy
A lot of moms have tummy issues, so don’t worry, you’re not alone! A one-piece is best if you want to hide your mommy pooch. A two piece suit that shows just the right amount of skin at the waist (no string bikinis here), can also be a flattering choice.
Coral Manila’s Sol Two-piece swimsuit has a high waist bottom with a tie waist detail that sucks in your “puson” just a little more. If you’re looking for a one-piece suit with built-in tummy control, you can’t go wrong with Marks and Spencer. Don’t worry, they have suits in basic black and fun prints that won’t remind you of your mom or Lola. Check out their Tummy Control wrap bandeau suit which is a classic style you’ll wear for years to come.
The search for flattering swimwear usually takes some time and effort. But when you find the right one, it will be well worth it. Instead of being self-conscious at the beach, you can spend your time having fun with your family or friends, and not worrying about how you look or sucking in your tummy. Remember, the most important thing is that you feel good in your swimsuit, whatever body type you have. Happy shopping!
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