The Best Bikini For Your Body Shape!
January 17, 2022
What’s The Best Bikini For Your Body Shape? Here’s The Ultimate Guide
Have you ever wondered why some bikinis look so bomb on some people—but never on you? Have you ever fallen in love with a trendy bikini-style only to try it on and feel utterly let down by the result?
Trust us on this, love; it’s not you. It’s the suit.
Bikinis and swimsuits come in a lot of different shapes, styles, and designs. Turns out, human bodies do, too. The key to looking awesome in a bikini? Matching the right swimsuit to the right body.
Here’s our go-to guide for choosing the best bikini for your body shape!
I. Athletic Shape
If there is very little size difference between the width of your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips, then you possess a beautifully svelte athletic shape—just like Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz! Being straight up and down gives you a pretty great advantage, style-wise, because balance between your top and bottom is so easy to achieve
For this reason, we recommend focusing more on mixing pieces to emphasise certain areas rather than achieving symmetry. Use lightly padded cups to give your chest that extra oomph! Or create the illusion of a fuller curve using colourful patterns or detail. A solid-white one-piece suit, for instance, with dark-coloured panels on both sides of the torso can make the waist come in a little more.
Bikinis with asymmetrical keyhole cut-outs, for another, can create an interesting silhouette.
Try:
● Bikini tops with slight padding
● Bandeau bikini top with ruching
● Crop bikini top
● Plunging V necklines
Avoid:
● Full coverage boy shorts
● Round, scoop necklines
II. Inverted Triangle Shape
Also known as the “carrot” shape (although “inverted triangle” is a much more common term), ladies with these body types have beautifully broad shoulders, full busts, narrow hips, and slender legs. It’s an attractive silhouette that can only look better with the right fashion choices.
Balancing your beach outfit is key. For instance, a horizontal stripe pattern on your bikini bottoms can widen your hips—and make your butt look big! Pair this with a bikini top in a plain colour to create visual symmetry.
Try:
● Hipster or cheeky bikini bottoms
● Plunging necklines
● Scrunch bottom bikinis
● Bikini bottoms with knot details or accents
Avoid:
● Full-coverage booty shorts
● Bandeau bikini tops
● Turtleneck rash guards
III. Apple Shape
Slender shoulders, slim hips, and a full bust and midriff. If that sounds like your body, then you’ve got a gorgeously feminine apple shape. Plenty of juice in the middle; trim, model-esque slimness everywhere else—especially the legs! Think notable stars Drew Barrymore, Kimberley Walsh, and Lena Dunham.
For ladies with a fuller torso and midriff, high-leg swimsuits and bikini bottoms are the way to go. They provide a bit of tummy coverage while highlighting the length of your legs. Go for ones with the band above the belly button and the leg cuts ending at the top of the thigh to achieve a flattering, shapely look.
If you’re aiming for a cute, Instagrammable outfit, pair your bikini with a stylish kaftan or sarong.
And if you’re feeling a bit self-conscious about your midriff, opt for a shaping swimsuit or structured bodice to provide a bit of subtle – but much needed – support.
Try:
● A low scooped neckline
● One-piece swimsuits with ruching on the side
● High-cut bikini bottoms
● High-waist bikini bottoms
Avoid:
● Mid-rise or low-rise bikini bottoms
● Square necklines
IV. Pear Shape
Pear-shaped women have delicate, narrow shoulders, a trim waist, wide-set hips, and big, curvy bottoms. Think the fabulous J-Lo, Rihanna and – course – queen Beyonce Knowles
If you carry most of your weight in your trunk, you’ll want to mix pieces in a way that your bust is emphasised, and your hips (and booty) are toned down.
A great way to achieve this balance is by playing with colours and prints! Try matching a plain-coloured bikini bottom – we recommend one in a cheeky, high-cut style! – with a colourful, geometric-patterned bikini top to draw attention to your bust.
Alternatively, if you prefer a more tasteful style, opt for a one-piece suit with a scrunch or ruching down the middle of the breasts.
Try:
● High-cut bikini bottoms
● Cheeky bikini bottoms
● Halter bikini tops
● Off-the-shoulder bikini tops and swimsuits
● Turtleneck rash guards paired with classic or cheeky bikini bottoms
Avoid:
● Full-coverage boys shorts
● Plain, single-colour one-piece swimsuits
V. Hourglass Shape
Got a body like Kim K, Kelly Brook, and Scarlett Johansson? Then you, dear reader, have the highly-coveted hourglass shape: full bust, round hips, big butt, and a tiny waist. Much like the athletic shape, an hourglass-shaped body has the advantage of being fully balanced.
This means not a lot of mixing and matching is needed to achieve an attractive silhouette.
Because this body type typically needs more support, we highly recommend looking for swimsuits and bikini tops with underwiring and wide fastening straps for maximum comfort. Alternatively, opt for slimming or compression options to keep everything snug and toned.
As far as colours and patterns go, we’d actually advise against loud, busy patterns as they can disrupt your feminine chic silhouette.
Opt for strategic patterns that emphasise your curves or simple patterns with clean lines.
Try:
● High-leg, high-waisted briefs
● Sweetheart necklines
● Vertical curved patterns
● Classic bikini sets with interesting accents (knot detail, scrunches, ruffles, etc.)
Avoid:
● Full-coverage boy shorts
● Loose, flow-y cover ups
We hope this style guide helped you but at the end of the day, we highly recommend trying on different styles, cuts, and designs until you find one that you love (and feel comfortable in; very important!).
This might entail you stepping out of your comfort zone or doing a bit more intensive research. And that’s okay. Trust us; when you find a bikini that is cute, comfortable, and completely flatters your look, it’ll be oh-so worth it.