How to Buy a Swimsuit by Body Type

Of all the costumes that usually incur the most anxiety about one’s body shape is the swimsuit – perhaps because of the fact that here there is hardly any scope for covering unsightly bits by pleats, folds, lines, ruffles and other such aids that can be taken recourse to in any other kind of apparel. So for all you prospective beach babes and hunks out there who don’t boast of a body like Kim Kardashian – or Daniel Craig for that matter – here are some great tips on buying a swimsuit by body type.

If you are small-busted

If you find yourself perpetually wishing for a fuller bust, opt for the strapless bandeau bikini top - yours is perhaps the only body types that can pull it off. Again with a small bust as yours, you can go ultra low cut or skimpy with your top and not look vulgar or worry about showing too much. If you want to boost a smaller chest, look for halter bikini tops or padded options. They’ll give you a few extra inches where it counts.

If you are large-busted

Women with a heavier upper half should avoid strapless bikini tops since these are unlikely to provide  enough support and only lead to sagging. Your best bet top-wise is something with an underwire or halter shape, thick straps, and thick enough fabric to keep you in place. Make sure your top has enough coverage, too – the last thing you want is to show off too much.

If you are pear-shaped

Women with pear shapes tend to carry weight on the lower half of their body, normally around the hips and thighs. If you fall into this group, you are likely to have a hip measurement that is larger than your bust measurement and a small to average sized waist. Use color and pattern to balance your body out visually. Busy patterns draw attention, while dark, solid colors minimize attention. Try a patterned bikini top with a black bikini bottom for a cute mix and match look. Again you can shop for bikinis sold as separates, which will get you two different sizes for your top and bottom. However  If you’re self-conscious about showing too much of your butt, try a bikini with boy shorts for a little extra coverage. Pear-shaped women are usually lucky to have flat tummy, so by all means show your amazing abs off in a bikini.

If you are apple-shaped

If you have a large chest, wide shoulders, small hips and generally heavier on the top as compared to the bottom, you likely have the apple shape, also known as the inverted triangle body shape. Like swimwear for large-busted women, choose bikini tops with firm straps and ample support – halter or underwired tops are good options. You can do the opposite of what pear-shaped ladies wear when it comes to mixing and matching colors. Draw attention toward your bottom half with a brighter colored bikini bottom, and minimize your upper half with a dark or solid colored bikini top. This will help create more of a balanced look and appear aesthetically pleasing. On the practical side, browse for bikinis that are sold as separates so that you can pair a bigger size top with a smaller size bottom. Best of all, your body shape makes you one of the lucky few who can wear tiny string bikini bottoms without a problem. So go head and indulge.

If you have a rectangular shape

Rectangular body shapes are characterized by strong, broad shoulders and proportional hips but without a highly defined waist. Since this shape gives a boxy look, look for swimsuits that will add curves to your body and make you look more feminine – for this purpose, go shopping for bathing suits with ruffles, ties, and girly bow details which create volume and draw attention to your hips and bust. Likewise opt for bikinis which incorporate a lot of patterns like florals, crochet detailing and even lingerie-inspired bathing suits to visually balance out a more athletic frame. Again if you are keen to get a more defined waistline, a great option is the one-piece swimsuit - Monokinis and one-piece suits that belt at the waist will help create more curves. If you’re on the skinny side, look for tops with ruching and padding to add volume. You might also want to go for a side-tie bottom that will draw the eye to your hips.

If you have the hour-glass figure

Lucky you, since this means that the upper and lower halves of your body are almost in perfect balance and hence you can get away with practically anything. The hourglass figure is characterized by your bust being equal or very close in measurement to your hips. Women with hourglass figures also have small, very defined waists. While the bikini was made keeping your shape in mind, be careful of going the mix-and-match way. Wearing different colors on the top and bottom could make your body look disproportional – so stick to bikinis that match. If you’re a skinny hourglass figure, you can wear the classic string bikini with no problems. Those with larger chests should be careful of skimpy triangle tops, though, as they rarely offer enough support or coverage. Look for halter tops, string bikinis with enough coverage for a larger chest, and anything that will give you extra support up top.

If you are petite

Petite women have a hard time finding clothes because of their short stature – clothes on the rack usually cut their bodies in half and make them appears shorter than they already are. If looking for the right clothes for petite woman is a chore, shopping for the right swimsuit is even more difficult. If you find yourself in just such a quandary, keep in mind to opt for bikinis prints and patterns which have a lengthening effect on the body like fine stripes in attractive colors – large stripes though can get too overwhelming and have the exact opposite effect, thus making you appear even smaller. Another option is to shop for one piece styles that accentuate the waistline but beware of regular-sized one-piece suits tend to bunch around their middles. Also since petite women can be full or thin figured too, mix and match your bikini top and bottom according to what fits you best.

If you are plus size

At the other end of the body size spectrum is the plus size – even more than their petite sisters, women who fall in this group are often embarrassed of revealing their bodies in swimsuits. But plus sized women need not despair as with a bit of careful shopping, they can find the right suit to flatter their full figures. A suit that has a built-in bra will offer much more support than one with a shelf bra, and the best suits are those that are sized to standard bra measurements. The latest swimwear manufacturers even offer a suit that is constructed of two layers - the outer layer and an inner body suit type lining that supports and slims. One-piece suits are generally more flattering to the larger figure than two-piece suits since the former offer a much more slimming line and can accentuate the positive while drawing the eye away from the negative.
A blouson style is also flattering to the larger figure. If you have a plus size, always look for suits that have substantial straps and avoid strapless styles to minimize chances of unsightly sagging or even a wardrobe malfunction. While larger women should avoid skimpy bikini styles, the new 'tankini' two-piece suits can be a good option since tank top styles offer full coverage and study straps. Where possible, buy tops and bottoms as separates so that the costume fits you best. while black is supposed to be a slimming color, it is not much fun to wear – if you must stick to solid colors, look for ones like, wine, emerald or sapphire which will make you feel good. Another idea is to go you’re your favorite bright colors but pair your costume with a plain matching sarong so that you can go to the pool or beach in both style and comfort.