5 Female Body Types

What is the BEST swimsuit for my body type?

For some of us, shopping for swimsuits is a stressful thought. We purposefully avoid the beach or swimming pools because we are embarrassed to be seen in a bathing suit. Well, those days are a thing of the past! We have options now ladies! Remember, fashion is simply illusion. Bathing suit and fashion designers have mastered this art. When asking yourself, “what swimsuit is best for my body type”, the same rules apply as determining how to dress right for your body type.

Whether you are a rectangle, pear, hourglass, inverted triangle or apple…every body shape has rules. Once you have narrowed down your body type, the key is finding a swimsuit style that flatters your figure and sticking with that silhouette. There is your road map! If you have a little extra bulge or lumps you prefer to conceal, there are numerous options out there that have you covered. With that being said, let the sun shine in and let’s hit the beach!

What is the best swimsuit for the rectangle shape?

When your body type is a rectangle, look for swimsuits that will add the illusion of curves to your figure:

  • Choose a padded or push-up top to add curves to your upper body. Bold patterned and light colored tops with wide-set straps create this effect as well.
  • Lighter colored tops that are ruffled or embellished draw the eye up and add curves to your upper body
  • Ruffled or skirted bottoms in bright, light or bold patterns help add curves to your hips
  • One piece bathing suits with a crisscross front or embellishments around the hips and bust add the illusion of curves
  • Tankinis with embellishments or ruffles around the bust and hips add illusions of curves. You can enhance this effect with a dark colored waist.
  • Choose patterned, light or bright bottoms with a mid to low rise waist that cuts straight across your hips. Bottoms with hip embellishments or ties also add curves.

The following are visual examples of swimsuits that flatter the rectangle body:

Best Swimwear For The Rectangle Body Shape

What is the best swimsuit for the pear shape?

When your body type is a pear, look for bottoms that will minimize your lower half and tops that add volume to your bust and create the illusion of an elongated shoulder line:

  • Embellished or ruffle tops draw the eye up while balancing your lower body.
  • Wear bold patterned or light colored tops with wide straps. Choose a push up or padded top to balance your lower half.
  • One piece swimsuits with lighter colored or embellished busts and wide straps add volume to the upper body. To reduce the visual width of your hips, choose a high cut leg.
  • Choose tankinis with light, patterned and embellished tops with side straps, underwire and padding to enhance the bust. Pair with dark bottoms
  • Choose moderate coverage bottoms, in darker tones with a higher cut leg. Bottoms that are cut too horizontal or have too much coverage will make your bottom look larger.

The following are visual examples of swimsuits that flatter the pear body:

Swimsuits For The Pear Body

What is the best swimsuit for the hourglass shape?

The hourglass body will look fabulous in most swimsuits. The key is keeping your proportions balanced:

  • Strapless or bandeau tops are flattering on an hourglass figure. Pair simple strapless tops with simple strapless bottoms.
  • A simple bottom that cuts straight across your hips, looks great with a simple top.
  • Mix and match padded tops with embellished bottoms and unpadded tops with simple bottoms.
  • Embellished or ruffled tops will enhance your hourglass figure when paired with similar bottoms.
  • One piece bathing suits with a wrap or banded waist are figure enhancing. Be sure to stick with swimsuits that have the same pattern or color across the bust and hips.
  • Wear tankinis with a balanced top and bottom.

The following are visual examples of swimsuits that flatter the hourglass body:

Best Swimsuit For The Hourglass Shape

What is the best swimsuit for the inverted triangle shape?

If your body type is an inverted triangle, look for suits that will balance your athletic upper body:

  • When paired with a simple top, ruffled or embellished bottoms will balance your figure.
  • One piece suits with cut-out sides, deep v-necks and hip details will help create a curvaceous, balanced effect.
  • Avoid patterned tops with solid bottoms. This will feature your athletic upper body.
  • Tankinis with a simple halter top paired with bottoms with side-ties, ruffles or embellishments are a good choice.
  • Simple, solid colored halter tops compliment an inverted triangle body shape. Bottoms that cut straight across your hips with side ties work well with simple tops.

The following are visual examples of swimsuits that flatter the inverted triangle body:

Best Swimsuit For The Inverted Triangle Shape

What is the best swimsuit for the apple body shape?

If you have an apple body shape, look for swimsuits that will define your waist and add curves to your figure:

  • Tops or one piece swimsuits with an hourglass print are ideal for your figure because they visually create an hourglass effect.
  • Skirted swimsuits with a flare bottom at the hips and a light colored bust create an hourglass effect.
  • Choose color block suits with dark colored sides and a light, bright or printed middle.
  • Swimsuits with wrap style details help define your waist.
  • Wear tankinis with straps that sit mid-shoulder. Avoid wearing dark bottoms with light or printed tops.

The following are visual examples of swimsuits that flatter the apple body:

Swimsuits for the apple shape

How do I conceal my “flaws” while wearing a swimsuit?

Each of us have areas on our bodies that we consider to be our “flaws” or not so desirable features. It is easy to conceal these areas when wearing clothing. However, when wearing a swimsuit, it requires a little more creativity. There are tips available for each concern… that should put your mind at ease ;).

Small Chest/Large Chest: Having a small or large chest for some women is considered a flaw. However, it’s all relative and it depends heavily upon the individual and their level of confidence. Finding a suit to flatter your bust, small or large, can be a challenge. For smaller busts go for tops with ruffles, frills or embellishments to create the illusion of a larger chest. Opting for a suit with padding can give you an extra lift. 😉 For those girls with “big girls”, cup sizes and underwire will give you the support needed so your boobies won’t be out of control when you take a dip. Opt for thicker bathing suit straps and double stitched bands for the most flattering results.

Flat Bottom: Every woman is not born with a perfect round and/or pronounced bottom. Here is when illusions can work in your favor. If your bottom is on the flat end, frills and ruching are your friend because they offer the illusion of a bigger behind. Consider bottoms in bright colors and loud prints to distract from a flatter tush. Also, showing a little cheek is preferable to full-coverage bottoms because it creates the appearance of more bottom.

Big Bottom: We are living in a time when having a big bottom is glamorized. However, there are many women with large bottoms, who are not celebrating it. Therefore, if you have an ample backside, avoid string bikinis and high-cut swimsuits…they can be uncomfortable and too revealing. You need a swimsuit with enough coverage in that area so that you are not constantly tugging for more coverage and picking wedgies. Alternatively, look for designs with solid bottoms and printed tops for balance.

Love Handles/Back Fat: Oh, how we would love to get a handle on those love handles! Battling the bulge is easier than you think. High waist bottoms work wonders…just ensure it extends above your belly button to prevent a muffin top. To combat back fat, choose designs with thicker straps and high backs to smooth any lumps and bumps.

Short Torso: The key to elongating a short torso is adding length and lifting the bust line. Halter straps draw attention to your neck and shoulders and low-rise bottoms make your torso appear longer, thus making on-lookers skim over your mid-section.

Short Legs: To create the illusion of longer legs, opt for suits with high cuts in the leg. This will show more skin, thus making your legs appear longer. If you are really brave, go for a thong for optimal lengthening! 🙂

Full Thighs: To flatter a full thigh, choose bottoms with a little bit more coverage. Skirted bottoms can help to conceal a portion of your upper leg, thus taking some attention away from your thighs.

A Tummy Pouch: Concealing a tummy pouch can be easier than you think. Peplum bottoms are great for hiding a pouch. A one piece swimsuit with ruching is another good option for concealing your stomach. Also, choosing a one piece with a plunging neckline helps to keep the focus upwards, rather than on your mid section. Lastly, choosing a bathing suit with tummy control aids in creating the illusion of a flatter stomach.

Big Hips & Skinny Legs: This body combo requires balance in the shoulders and hips. Go for swimsuits that give the illusion of an elongated collarbone. An off-the-shoulder swimsuit does the trick!

Cellulite: Whether slender, curvy or tall…cellulite doesn’t discriminate. You don’t have to sacrifice your personal style when attempting to keep those unsightly dimples at bay. Opt for swim dresses or tankinis with longer hemlines, but still offer you plenty of style!

Conclusion

There you have it! Happy shopping! 🙂

Quanita-Signature

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *