How to Choose a Swimsuit for Your Body Type Expert Tips

If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you.

Swimsuit shopping can feel a lot like hunting for buried treasure: you know the right piece is somewhere out there, but the search can feel endless.

How to Choose a Swimsuit for Your Body Type Expert Tips

There’s a reason for that—our bodies are wonderfully unique, and marketing images rarely reflect the diversity found in real life. Yet, nothing says summer confidence like slipping into a swimsuit that truly flatters your shape, aligns with your sense of style, and supports your comfort.

Whether you’re new to swimwear or updating your old collection, consider this your ultimate fit guide.

Decoding Body Types: Why It Matters

Before even looking at swimsuit racks, it helps to know the general shape of your silhouette. This isn’t about putting yourself in a box—it’s about understanding body shape trends and patterns, so you can make the most informed and empowering fashion choices.

Most often, body types are described as:

Hourglass: Equally proportioned bust and hips with a defined waist.
Pear: Hips broader than the shoulders.
Apple: Broad shoulders or a fuller bust, with less defined waistline.
Rectangle: Balanced bust and hips with a less defined waist.
Inverted Triangle: Shoulders broader than hips.

Of course, many people find they blend more than one type or shift between categories over time.

Use these as guides—not as rigid rules—when considering how to choose a swimsuit for your body type.

Matching Styles to Silhouettes

The magic happens when you pair your shape with specific swimsuit features. Let’s glance at what generally works well by body type:

Body Type	Swimsuit Styles to Try	Key Details to Look For
Hourglass	Classic bikinis, wrap styles	Supportive tops, adjustable ties
Pear	Halter tops, high-cut bottoms	Bright tops, darker/solid bottoms
Apple	V-neck one-pieces, tankinis	Ruching, tummy control panels
Rectangle	Bold prints, ruffled tops, monokinis	Cut-outs, side ties, padding
Inverted Triangle	Scoop/straight necks, hip details	Embellished bottoms, wide straps

Hourglass Figure: Celebrate Your Curves

An hourglass shape is defined by balanced hips and bust with a well-marked waist.

Look for swimsuits that support and showcase your proportions rather than add extra bulk.

Bikinis with underwire or molded cups, wrap-front one-pieces, and belted waists can all help underline your shape.

Style Tips:

Seek adjustable straps and bands for a secure fit.
High-waist, retro-inspired bottoms play up your curves.
Avoid baggy tankinis that hide your best assets.

Pear Shape: Bring Balance and Shine

A pear-shaped body often features fuller hips and a smaller upper body. Drawing the eye upward helps balance proportions, while streamlined bottoms in darker or solid colors complement your curves beautifully.

Style Tips:

Try halter or bandeau tops in a light color or print to highlight your shoulders.
Embellishments, ruffles, or hardware on the top add focus.
High-cut legs and side-tie bottoms elongate your legs.
Boyshorts or voluminous ruffles at the hips can overemphasize width, so keep the lower half simple and clean.

Apple Figure: Focus on Support and Shape

If you have broader shoulders, a fuller torso, or a rounder midsection, you might identify as apple-shaped. The goal here is to elongate the body and create curves through structure and detail.

Style Tips:

V-neck and plunge designs draw attention to the neckline.
Seek out one-pieces with ruching, color-blocked panels, or asymmetric lines for visual interest and shaping.
Tankinis with flowy tops can provide subtle coverage.
Avoid boyshorts or bottoms that are too tight.

Rectangle Shape: Create Curves With Details

Rectangle-shaped bodies share similar width at the bust, waist, and hips, with a less defined waistline. Look for swimsuits that add dimension and play up both the top and bottom.

Style Tips:

Opt for ruffled, padded, or push-up tops to enhance the bust.
One-shoulder or cut-out designs break up straight lines.
Side-tie bottoms, prints, or ruching at the hips build the illusion of curves.
Bold colors and busy patterns are your friends.

Inverted Triangle: Soften and Balance

Broad shoulders and a narrower hip line are the hallmarks of this shape. Here, the aim is to balance the upper body by drawing interest downward.

Style Tips:

Choose simple, supportive tops without extra embellishment.
Deep scoop or square necks minimize width across the shoulders.
Look for bikini bottoms with ties, ruffles, or bold prints to add weight to the lower half.
Skirted bottoms or hipster styles add volume where you want it.

Finding Your Perfect Fit: Practical Considerations

While patterns and shapes matter, fit reigns supreme. Swimsuits should feel like a second skin: not too tight, not too loose, and offering support where you need it most.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

Bust Support
- Underwire, molded cups, and adjustable straps help larger busts.
- Smaller busts find a boost from padding, ruffles, or bandeau styles.
Tummy Control
- Consider ruching, control panels, or higher waistlines.
Coverage
- High-cut legs lengthen the appearance of your legs.
- Brazilian or cheeky bottoms show more skin if you’re feeling bold.
- Swim dresses and skirted bottoms offer modesty with style.

Trying on multiple styles, even those you might not initially consider, can surprise you.

Trends and Timeless Choices

Each season brings a wave of new swimwear trends, from neon shades to vintage silhouettes, and mesh panels to high-waist bikinis.

While it’s fun to update your swimwear wardrobe, investing in timeless designs ensures longevity and style.

Timeless Picks:

Black one-piece: Always sleek and sophisticated.
Triangle bikini: Simple, adjustable, and classic.
Nautical stripes: Flattering and never truly out of fashion.

Experiment with trends through colors and small updates, like a printed cover-up or statement hardware.

Common Fit Challenges and Solutions

Sometimes, even with the right shape in mind, specific needs arise.

Here are some frequent issues and what you can do about them:

Long Torso: Select torso-lengthened one-pieces or tankinis.
Short Torso: Choose high-cut legs or plunging necklines.
Athletic Build: Seek styles with mesh inserts, cut-outs, or asymmetric elements.
Post-Mastectomy: Several brands offer swimsuits with pockets for prostheses and extra coverage.

Here’s a quick summary chart for common concerns:

Concern	Features to Look For
Long Torso	Extended-length suits, tankinis
Short Legs	High-cut leg, vertical patterns
Full Bust	Underwire, wide straps, molded cups
Small Bust	Padding, bold prints, ruffles
Tummy Coverage	Ruching, control panels, high-waist bottoms
Modesty Preferences	Swim dresses, rash guards, board shorts