How to Find the Perfect Swimsuits for Your Body Shape

Summer is here and it's high time to hit the beach or pool in flair. However, one of the many thoughts lingering in your mind might be what shape of swimwear suits your body best. Finding the right swimwear can be extremely stressful, especially if you aren’t used to wearing it. When it comes to swimwear, it is highly essential to be comfortable with your body. It's okay if you aren’t confident enough to go for a micro bikini; plenty of styles can make you feel good about yourself without exposing too much skin.

Whether you have a curvy body, or a small bust and no curves, we are here to help you find the best fit to guarantee a flattering appearance. We’ll help you identify your body type and provide tips for selecting the best swimsuits.

Understand and Determine Your Body Shape

Finding the perfect swimsuit begins with understanding your body shape. Knowing your body type helps select styles that accentuate your features and provide a comfortable, flattering fit. Before that, let’s be clear: Your body shape depends on your genetics and bone structure, not your weight. Regardless of your shape, which can change according to your age, all bodies deserve to be celebrated.

Here’s a quick guide to identifying your body shape:

Hourglass: You’ve got an hourglass shape if you have a noticeably narrower waist than your bust and hips, with both hips and shoulders approximately the same width.
Pear: You fall into the pear category if you have significantly wider hips, narrower shoulders, and a smaller bust.
Apple: You’ve got an apple-shaped body if you have broader shoulders and bust, a less defined waist, and narrower hips—resulting in a fuller midsection.
Athletic: Women with an athletic body will have a well-toned, muscular build with fewer curves and a more rectangular silhouette.
Rectangle: If your bust, hips, and waist appear to be of similar width, with minimal curves, you have a rectangle-shaped body.
Inverted Triangle: If your upper body is broader and your hips are narrower, you have an inverted triangle shape.

To accurately determine your body shape, take measurements of your bust, waist, and hips and compare these measurements.

You can refer to our blog on What to Wear at a Picnic for Women & Men

Right Swimwear for Different Body Shapes

As mentioned previously, finding the right swimwear for your body shape is crucial to feeling confident and comfortable at the beach or pool. Different styles and cuts of swimsuits can enhance your best features and provide a flattering fit.

For an Hourglass Shaped Body

The best styles for an hourglass shape can be high-waisted bikini bottoms paired with bikini tops.
Look for tops with underwire or structured cups to enhance your bust. Halter tops or bandeau tops can provide the support you need.
Wrap-style swimsuits are a great choice for drawing attention to your waistline.
Choose models that emphasise your natural curves and highlight your waist.
Avoid pieces with too many details around the hips or busts, as they can disrupt the balance of your figure.
As hourglass is considered to be the most feminine body type, it is recommended to wear two-piece swimwear to emphasise the upper and lower body.

For a Pear Shaped Body

Wear tops with ruffles, prints, or embellishments to draw attention to the upper body.
Go for solid-coloured bottoms to balance out your proportions.
Swimsuits with plunging necklines or off-shoulder designs can bring focus to your upper body.
High-cut leg openings can also elongate your legs.
Opt for one-piece suits or sets with skirts or tankinis.
Avoid wearing sarongs or bikini bottoms that exaggerate the hip area.
Wear a push-up or padded top to enhance your bust area.

For an Apple Shaped Body

High-waisted bikini bottoms with tummy control can help smoothen and flatten your midsection.
Pair the bottoms with supportive tops to provide adequate bust support.
When it comes to one-pieces, opt for models with ruching, wrap designs, or other patterns that draw attention away from your mid-section.
Look for styles with built-in tummy control for a sleek silhouette.
It is advisable to avoid monokinis or styles with heavy detailing around the waist.

For an Athletic Shaped Body

Choose swimsuits that create an illusion of curves. This can be done through various shapes or curvy patterns.
Tops with paddings or push-ups can add volume to your bust area.
Create a curvy look at your hip area with bottoms with side ties or ruffles.
While selecting one-pieces, look for those with bold prints, cut-outs, or embellishments that add dimension to your figure.
Enhance your structure with monokinis with strategically placed cutouts that create a curvaceous shape.
Avoid suits with straight necklines, which can accentuate your straight figure.

For a Rectangle Shaped Body

Wearing tops with ruffles, embellishments, or bold prints can add volume to your silhouette.
High-waisted bottoms can help define your waist.
One-pieces with belts, ruching, wrap-style, or bold patterns can add shape to your curve.
Avoid straight-cut swimsuits that don’t add shape and volume to your figure.

For an Inverted Triangle Shaped Body

Pair minimally detailed tops with printed or ruffled bottoms to draw attention downward.
Balance your proportions with high-cut legs.
One-pieces with v-necks elongate the torso, thereby creating a balanced silhouette.
Look for monokinis with detailing around the hips to add volume.
Avoid high-neck tops or styles that accentuate your shoulders.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Swimsuit

There are several factors to consider while purchasing a swimsuit that suits your preferences, body type, and style. Here are some points to keep in mind:

Your Body Shape: With the aforementioned identifiers, determine your body shape. This helps you gain a better understanding of what would fit your body.
Comfort: Your comfort must be the top priority, especially while you are going to be swimming. Make sure the swimsuit’s material and fit match your level of comfort.
Coverage: Consider how much coverage you want, as swimsuits come in various styles, from bikinis to monokinis and tankinis. If you’re someone who is not comfortable showing skin, look for swimsuits that provide more coverage, with higher necklines, long sleeves, or longer bottoms.
Support: If you've got a fuller bust, look for styles that offer extra support, especially in the bust area. You can choose models with built-in bras and adjustable straps, as these provide better support and ensure a comfortable fit.
Material: Make sure the material is suitable for water activities and is soft on your skin. Opt for swimsuits that can stand against saltwater and chlorine so that they will last longer without fading.

Activity Level: Choose your swimsuit based on the activities you’ll be doing. If you plan to take part in more vigorous water activities, opt for sportier swimsuits with secure straps. If you are just chilling by the pool, you can go for a more fashion-focused bathing suit.

General Tips for Buying the Right Swimsuit

Use solid colours to de-emphasise a feature, and use bright colours and patterns to emphasise a feature.
Choose swimsuits with ruffles or frills that draw attention to your upper body to create the illusion of a larger bust.
For medium to dark complexions, consider wearing brighter colours.
Select swimsuits with ruching or panelling to create the illusion of less volume.
Use dark, rich tones that contrast with your skin if you have a pale or fair complexion.
To broaden an area, use horizontal stripes or bold prints and patterns.
Choose a swimsuit with high-cut leg openings to make your legs look longer.
Always choose a bathing suit based on the purpose.

Flaunt Your Style in Confidence with the Perfect Swimsuit from bfab

Once you understand your body shape, finding the perfect swimsuit won’t be a challenge. Follow the above tips to choose the right swimsuit that makes you feel confident and comfortable. No matter what your body shape is, there’s a swimsuit out there for you!

Discover the dreamy collection of swimwear from bfab. From chic one-pieces to stylish bikinis and elegant burkinis, we offer a variety of options to choose from. Enjoy the convenience of our click-and-collect service or opt for home delivery on selected items. With quality products from top brands like Matalan, Superdry, Balabala, and Miniso, bfab is your go-to for beach and poolside style. Curate your swimwear wardrobe today with us. Start filling your cart with our endless collection of quality swimwear!