Best Swimsuits by Body Type
The Most Flattering Swimwear For Every Body Type
We've resolved to put an end to the fear and frustration that come with swimsuit and bikini shopping. From curvier frames to athletic body types, we're helping to make sense of the endless swimwear options and narrowing them down to the picks that were made to fit and flatter your frame. Want to know what you should be looking for? Read on to get the experts' dos and don'ts, find your perfect suit, and never hate swimsuit shopping again!
For even easier shopping, click below for your needs.
— Additional reporting by Gemma Cartwright
The pear shape: You're curvy at the hips and thighs and smaller on top, like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
What to look for: The key to the perfect swimsuit is balancing your proportions and getting the coverage you need for your bottom half.
Tips and tricks:
- For a traditional fix, look for a clean-skirted bottom that falls just below the largest part of the upper leg.
- Avoid reaching for a boy short or thick-banded bottom. The extra fabric will only call attention to the area you're trying to mask.
- A plunging neckline or eye-catching top draws the eye upward, minimising the bottom.
The colourblocking and chic stripes balance the figure and draw the eye upwards, and the cute cutout adds a touch of fun.
Tart Collections Karel Cutout Striped Swimsuit (£55, originally £110)
A sporty crop top and lowcut briefs make your torso go on for miles, lengthening and elongating the figure.
Seafolly Leaf Print High Neck Bikini Top (£35, originally £66)
The sharp V of this plunging swimsuit adds drama, and the ruching at the waist nips you in to make the most of your curves.
Frills at the top balance out your bottom half, and the crossover back does the same from behind!
A frilled bardot top is amazing for creating balance, and it'll get people talking poolside. Matching briefs with sheer panels at the hips create an optical illusion to add length, not width.
Bright colours and white panels will automatically draw the eye, whilst a midcut leg gives you decent coverage.
Jets Deluxe plunge swimsuit (£140)
Don't be afraid of skimpier bottoms; if you team them with a top that has detail like lacing, they'll make your curves look incredible!
Twiin Lace Up Bikini Top (£28)
Large bust: Ample cleavage; you're busty and require more support up top like Brooklyn Decker, Katy Perry, and Sofia Vergara.
What to look for: If you're more well-endowed on top, then support is key. Opt for suits with underwire or moulded cups to give the girls the support they need. Avoid ruffles or embellishments up top if you're hoping to minimise the focus on your chest.
Tips and tricks:
- Bra-style tops with underwire and adjustable straps provide extra bust support. The thicker the strap, the more support.
- Higher backs are also a good fit for helping to keep the girls up.
- Moulded cups provide extra support and are available in many different styles.
- Explore brands that size like your regular bra, including styles that go above a D, which are constructed to support a larger bust.
Channel a Bond Girl in this belted bikini which comes in cup sizes up to a 38G. The smart panelling really draws the eye to your best bits (bust and waist) for an incredible silhouette.
Freya Swim Bondi Underwired Sweetheart Padded Bikini Top (£34)
Yes, you can wear strapless, provided you get the right support (and this comes in sizes up to a J cup). This aptly-named "Siren" swimsuit gives plenty of coverage, but it's anything but frumpy!
Curvy Kate Women's Siren Swimsuit (£15, originally £22.50)
ASOS has really recognised the need for stylish, trend-led swimwear for larger cup sizes. The range is huge, and there's something for everyone, but we love this pretty gingham style with detachable straps.
Asos Fuller Bust Mix And Match Long Line Cupped Bandeau Bikini Top In Gingham DD-G (£18)
Fuller bust swimwear doesn't have to look like a bra! This cool metallic and mesh crop top has built-in support, and the strappy bottoms help to create even more curves.
Sling-style straps which gather and cross over the sides of the cups pull everything inward, giving the illusion of a narrower bust.
The classic black bikini gets a cool makeover thanks to zigzag mesh panels. If bralet styles are off limits for you, this style, with wide straps, gives a similar effect with a lot more support.
Model Robyn Lawley knows all about dressing a larger bust, so it's no surprise her range offers up some chic and modern styles, like this contrasting textured swimsuit with double straps and built-in cups.
Robyn Lawley D/DD Swimsuit (£75, originally £158)
Small bust: Proportionally, you're smaller on top with an A or B cup, like Kate Hudson.
What to look for: A smaller chest requires less support, so you can look for styles with more minimal coverage or embellished detailing, bows, and patterns to create the illusion of a larger chest.
Tips and tricks:
- Triangle tops create the illusion of curves, as do tops with bold prints or embellishments with ruffles.
- Bra tops and padded push-up tops offer extra lift and can create cleavage, as can certain halter tops.
- A smaller bust always means you can wear tiny scoop tops or bandeaus — embrace them!
Sporty styles work brilliantly on a smaller bust, and you can get away with the most streamlined cuts.
Seafolly Chevron Stripe High Neck Bikini Top (£35, originally £66)
Detail on the cups and frills around the cleavage can help to give the illusion of fullness if that's what you're looking for.
Zimmermann Valour Embroidered Floral-print Triangle Bikini (£123, originally £205)
Embrace the fact you can wear the most simple, wire-free designs without worrying about support. Dramatic cutouts in the briefs add an edge.
A plunging swimsuit isn't the easiest style for some to wear, but you can pull it off easily.
If you're worried about balance, the frills and flounces on the top half of this swimsuit work to give you more curves up top.
Forever Unique Frill Front Plunge Swimsuit With Waist Buckle (£45, originally £110)
A scalloped trim makes this anything but a boring black bikini, and the tiny top is perfect for your small bust.
Missguided Black Scallop Bandeau Bikini Top - Mix&Match, Black (£20)
You can wear all the frills and flounces you want up top, and this design will also give what you do have some uplift.
Athletic: You're more straight up and down and have fewer curves, like Cameron Diaz, Jessica Biel, and Jennifer Aniston.
What to look for: The name of the game is playing up your curves with styles that flaunt your frame. Suits with less coverage help to create the illusion of a shapelier figure.
Tips and tricks:
- Tops or bottoms with bold prints, ruffles, and embellishments add intrigue and feminine flair and can create the appearance of more curve at top and bottom.
- Monokinis create fabulous curves, as do one-pieces with slashes or strategically placed cutouts.
- The smaller the swimsuit bottom, the fuller and curvier the derrière appears.
- Tie-side bikini bottoms enhance curves and adjust perfectly to your size.
A longer-line top gives the illusion of more curves, emphasising the waist, while strappy details on the briefs flash a little flesh.
The crochet panels in this swimsuit help to draw the eye to all the right areas, and the high cut shows off your toned legs.
Horizontal stripes look great on an athletic body. Add in a plunging neckline and this is your perfect swimsuit.
Strappy ties and a skimpy cut will make the most of all your best bits.
Drawing the eye to a frilled panel at the bust will create a curvaceous silhouette and show off toned abs.
A strappy monokini will nip in your waist, show off your cleavage, and flatter a toned lower half.
The chevron design at the bust is great for emphasising your curves, and the cutout at the waist shows a sexy expanse of flesh.
Tummy concealing: You're built a little more like an apple shape and carry your weight mostly in your middle.
What to look for: Whether you prefer to be covered up or you're out to slim your middle, there are a number of one-piece and two-piece suits, like high-waisted or tankini styles, that help to smooth out your middle.
Tips and tricks:
- Shirring and ruching works miracles. The gathered fabric hides bulges and creates definition in the waist.
- A figure-flattering wrap silhouette trims the waist with its crossover fabric.
- If you carry your weight in the lower part of your belly, try on a retro-inspired, high-waisted bikini. They're on trend and ace for covering the abdomen.
The ultimate in tummy-flattering swimwear, the gathers on the bodice create an amazing shape, and the v-neck makes the most of your bust.
Ralph Lauren Ruched One-Piece Swimsuit (£55, originally £110)
Don't underestimate the swim dress. Choose one with a bold colour and chic details (like the gold beads on this plunging design) to keep things modern.
The lack of seam around the top of these foldover briefs mean they won't dig in at the waist. Teamed with an unusual underwired top, this is a look that'll get you noticed.
Pour Moi? Pour Moi Instaglam High Waist Bikini Brief - Purple (£25)
Don't be scared of sporty styles. The honeycomb mesh panels of this suit are perfectly designed to act like "go faster" stripes, drawing the eye in and streamlining your middle.
Seafolly Mesh About High Neck Maillot Swimsuit (£65, originally £120)
The frills and criss-cross mesh of this style make the most of your gorgeous curves, and the high waist gives you the coverage you crave.
A one-shoulder and a subtle asymmetric cut add sex appeal without putting everything on display.
Norma Kamali Ruched One-shoulder Bikini - Royal blue (£186, originally £310)
A crossover wrap with a tie will cinch the waist and give you an hourglass look.
Curvy: You're curvy throughout with a full bust, hips, thighs, and butt, like Christina Hendricks, Scarlett Johansson, and Kim Kardashian.
What to look for: For curvy frames, the key is to highlight your curves while providing enough support and coverage. If you're not keen on exaggerating your curves, then steer clear of monokinis or string bikinis with thicker ties, which can accentuate your widest areas.
Tips and tricks:
- Asymmetrical suits draw the eye toward the neckline, highlighting the beautiful line from a woman's neck to her collarbone.
- Colourblocking can help highlight your shape, as do retro suits (think high waists and boxy halter tops).
Accentuate your best bits with strategically placed sheer panels.
New Look Women's Spot Mesh Not Applicable 8 Swimsuit,8 (£24.99)
You can go as skimpy as you like when it comes to cut, and pick rings and beads rather than ties to keep the whole look streamlined.
Not only is this retro suit perfect for making the most of an hourglass figure but it'll also double up as a top. Just add cutoffs!
figleaves swimwear Sur La Mer Off The Shoulder Tummy Control Swimsuit (£15, originally £38)
This bikini top provides plenty of support, while the frilled briefs add a touch of retro glam.
Floozie by Frost French Textured Stripe Underwire Bikini Top A - E Cup (£18.50)
Channel Marilyn Monroe on the beach in this timeless design. The belted waist will help to show off your shape perfectly.
Harness details are huge right now, but go too far if you're curvy and it can end up looking like sexy lingerie. If that's not the look you're going for, keep it simple with more subtle strappy details.
A classic halter top looks great on a curvier figure (choose one that's tight under the bust for support, so the straps don't dig into your neck). Teamed with high-waisted bottoms, you'll be a total vintage vixen.