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The Best Swimwear Shapes for Every Body Type


Finding the perfect swimwear can feel like a challenge. If you understand your body shape, it can make the process much easier. Whether you're planning a beach holiday or lounging poolside, the right swimsuit will flatter your figure, highlight your best features and make you feel confident. Here is our guide to the best swimsuit styles for six common body shapes.



Full Hourglass


Body Shape: Full bust, balanced bust and hips with a defined waist.


Best Swimwear Styles:

  • Choose swimsuits that highlight your waist such wrap styles or belted swimsuits.

  • Underwired or structured tops offer good support and show your bust.

  • High-waist bikini bottoms accentuate your waist and flatter your curves.


Colour and Print Tips: go bold with prints or bright colours- your curvy body line can carry them well. Try matching sets to keep the harmony.


Image: Lands' End. This fabulous swimsuit with its thick straps and wrap style will highlight your curvy figure.
Image: Lands' End. This fabulous swimsuit with its thick straps and wrap style will highlight your curvy figure.



Neat Hourglass


Body Shape: balanced shoulders and hips with well defined waist. With more petite or subtle curve vs. Full Hourglass


Best Swimwear Styles:

  • Look for swimwear that adds gentle volume, such as ruffles or frills at the bust or hips.

  • Padded bikini tops help enhance your bust, while tie-side bottoms can create the illusion of fuller hips.


Colour and Print Tips: use lighter or patterned fabrics where you want more emphasis.

Image: Pour Moi. This bikini will flatter your neat shape
Image: Pour Moi. This bikini will flatter your neat shape

Triangle


Body Shape: wider hips, smaller shoulders


Best Swimwear Styles:


  • Draw attention upwards with detailed or embellished bikini tops

  • Off-shoulder styles help balance proportions but are not always practical so try a tankini instead

  • Choose plain or dark bottoms with more coverage to streamline your hips


Colour and Print Tips: bright, bold or printed tops paired with darker, simpler bottoms create visual balance.


Image: Freemans. The detail across the bust of this tankini will broaden your upper half whilst the plain bottoms will minimise.
Image: Freemans. The detail across the bust of this tankini will broaden your upper half whilst the plain bottoms will minimise.



Inverted Triangle


Body Shape: broader shoulders with narrower hips


Best Swimwear Styles:


  • Plunging swimsuits help break up a broad upper half

  • Opt for bottoms with details like frills or side ties to add volume to the hips

  • Choose halter tops with thin straps rather than thick ones to soften the shoulders


Colour and Print Tips: keep the top half simple and use colour or print on the bottom to shift the focus.

Image: Marks & Spencer. The combination of this side tie and halter neck top is great for inverted triangle body shape
Image: Marks & Spencer. The combination of this side tie and halter neck top is great for inverted triangle body shape

Rectangle


Body Shape: straight up and down with little definition at the waist. May carry weight around the middle.


Best Swimwear Styles:


  • Create curves with one-pieces that have panel detailing

  • Push-up tops or padded bikinis add shape to the bust

  • High-leg styles can elongate the legs and break up a straight silhouette


Colour and Print Tips: bold patterns, horizontal stripes or ruching at the waist can help crate the illusion of curves.

Image: Lascana. Try a bold swimsuit with panel details for rectangle body shape
Image: Lascana. Try a bold swimsuit with panel details for rectangle body shape

Oval


Body Shape: fuller around the middle with a less defined waist


Best Swimwear Styles:


  • Ruched or draped one-pieces help disguise the tummy area

  • Tankinis can be a comfortable choice and offer a bit more coverage

  • Look for swimsuits with built-in tummy control or mesh panels


Colour and Print Tips: darker shades across the tummy help slim the midsection, diagonal prints or panels draw the eye across the body, rather than to the middle.


Image: Lands' End. This pretty tankini top will help disguise the tummy area.
Image: Lands' End. This pretty tankini top will help disguise the tummy area.



Extra Tips for Disguising The Tummy


  • Ruching and gathered fabric across the stomach is flattering and hides any lumps or bumps.

  • Tummy-control panels provide gentle shaping without felling restrictive

  • Pattern & print is good- it tricks the eyes!

  • Wrap styles create flattering diagonal lines that visually slim the waist.


Despite of the guide we shared above, we want to remind you that confidence is your best accessory- this is the most important thing to remember! Pick a swimsuit that makes you feel fabulous, no matter your shape. And a few accessories such as chunky bangles, or a killer pair of sunglasses and snazzy bag for the ultimate poolside glamour. Happy swimming!


Let us help you with your swimwear dilemmas.



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