The Ultimate Swimwear By Body Shape Guide
Author: bonprix stylist
With summer in full swing, we all know how much of a nightmare finding that perfect swimwear outfit can be. It’s no secret we all come in a vast array of different shapes and sizes, and for many of us finding swimwear to complement our individual figures can be nothing short of a daunting task. Well, believe it or not, we’re confident there is a swimwear option hiding somewhere out there for everyone. To help ease those summer wardrobe headaches, we’ve put together our comprehensive guide to choosing the right swimwear according to your body shape.
Check out the infographic below to get started!
bonprix have been featured in Cosmopolitan's swimwear for body shape guide. Click here for more details.
Insider Tips
We’ve done our best to tick the boxes alongside the most common body types however we know not everyone will be able to identify with a shape already covered. To add an expert insight, we caught up with some leading fashion bloggers to hear their insider tips on how to look great by the pool this summer, no matter what your body shape.
To kick us off we spoke to fashion blogger Sophie Hannah Richardson and heard her words of wisdom for all of us with an hourglass shape.
“I have a curvy figure, my waist is small but my hips and butt are not! When it comes to deciding on my swimwear style for around the pool I tend to always go for a bandeau top and small hipster bottoms. The bandeau top because I hate tan lines and the hipster bottoms because I find that my small waist is accentuated more as my whole belly is on show. If I find a statement bikini bandeau top I love and features black within it, then it will always look great styled with a pair of plain black bikini bottoms. So I will just mix and match.”
Next up, lifestyle blogger Nadine Johanna of German Girl in London gives us her tips on styling swimwear to fit an apple shape.
“For around the pool I like dark colours that don't draw attention to my figure. My favourites are navy blue, black, dark red and emerald green. I try to avoid little patterns and I like stripes or dots. It's important that the swimwear is the right size and offers the support needed. The last thing you want to do is to keep pulling up your bikini bottoms or tops! 50s style bikinis also seem to be a big trend this year; they are ideal for apple shaped women, especially for those with a large chest as they tend to have wide straps and high bottoms.”
For those with a curvier shape finding a great-fitting swimsuit can be a particularly difficult task. Fashion bloggers Elizabeth from Nelly & Noopy and Lisa from My Big Fat Blog offer their insider tips!
"As I'm on the curvier side, and a size 14-16, I'd definitely avoid most bikinis, as I know they just wouldn't flatter my shape. I'd choose either a flattering one piece such as one with cut-out detail around the waist in a plain black, or a high waisted bikini, which would cover the stomach area whilst still showing off my waist. I'd go for a small print, nothing too flashy!" – Elizabeth (Nelly & Noopy)
“I choose something that I think is cute and I'll enjoy wearing, but it also needs to support my breasts and be comfortable too. Halter-neck bikinis are always good to provide support and come in many designs, I particularly like floral and galaxy prints. As far as finding the perfect fit goes, I often find it difficult to find a matching suit that covers both my breasts and my bum. To get around this l will often have to buy separate pieces. For anyone wanting that perfect fitting beachwear just try on everything! You never know what you might love. “- Lisa (My Big Fat Blog)
If you’re slightly bigger around the hips, bottom and thighs than you are up-top then you are most likely a pear shape. Madi from Cactus Coral and Debonita from Elegantly Fashionable were kind enough to provide their two cents on the best ways to style a pear shape.
“Because I’m anti-strap mark I always go for a strapless/bandeau style, which works very well for a pear shape, the top manages to balance out the bottom half particularly if there is a pattern, ruffle or a tassel detail going on! If you don’t mind getting strap marks, halter-tops with a moulded cup are great for adding a bit of volume to your bust. I’d also stick to higher cut bikini bottoms to elongate your legs, now I’m not necessarily talking Baywatch circa 1990, just avoid anything that sits low on the hip with a wide band or tie sides as it’ll draw the eye to the widest point." – Madi (Cactus Coral)
“I am a pear shape and have a bit of tummy that I need to camouflage. To overcome this I love wearing kaftans on top of high-waisted bottoms & push-up bikini tops. The high waisted bikini with push-up top plays up the bustline and helps to elongate my legs while the kaftan helps to camouflage the tummy.” – Debonita (Elegantly Fashionable)
For those of us lucky in the height department, Marsha from Style of a London Tall Girl has put together some top tips on how she dresses for a poolside summer.
“At 6ft tall with a typical hourglass figure, big hips and a bust to match, I would usually opt for a cupped bikini with tie side briefs. Bikinis are perfect for my taller frame as they don't solely depend on my body length or rise as a one-piece would...all I have to worry about is whether or not the cup fits! Plus the tie side briefs are great for balancing my curves and showing off my smaller waist. “
Last but not least, the petite frame can be one of the hardest to buy for in the swimwear department. To offer some assistance we’ve collected the most advice possible for this body type. Fashion bloggers Grace, Jenny & Leanne share their top tips!
“Being petite I will normally opt for fitted swimwear in a block colour and small in design. Anything too revealing or baggy can make you look larger and slightly out of proportion, whereas smaller designs feel and look right on the body and flatter your shape and height. I would also go for a stretchy fabric like nylon or mesh that expands to your natural body shape and gives a nice hugging fit and feels just as comfortable in the water.” – Jenny (Krystel Couture)
“With a petite frame and short legs, I like to make my legs look longer when I know they’re going to be on show so I choose bikini bottoms that have a high leg; to give the illusion that my legs are longer than they really are! Always go for bikini tops that are for your cup size, rather than sizes small medium or large. This will give you more support, the top will fit better and you will all around feel more confident!” – Leanne (Little Babble)
“As with most of my fashion choices I like to pick things that have a vintage feel to them - I absolutely adore the fifties style bathing suits which are all over the high street this season. I do really like the retro style bathing suits as I think they look great on women of every size and shapes. However I do love a bikini. I prefer to buy the top and bottoms separately and avoid buying them as a set - this makes for a better fit and avoids unwanted wardrobe malfunctions!” – Grace (That Grace Girl)