Every woman has experienced. Standing half-naked in a poorly lit changing room surrounded by mirrors, with all of her insecurities on display to her. We are our own worst critics.
I’ve had full-on meltdowns from the frustration of trying on bathing suits specifically. The self-deprecating sentiments get the worse the longer I stand there staring at myself.
No matter what your size or weight, finding a bathing suit is hard. A swimsuit that covers everything and fits you in all the right places is so hard. Unfortunately. Many bathing suits aren’t made with varying body types in mind. There’s more of a “one size fits all” mentality. We need swimsuits for all shapes and sizes!
From curvier frames to athletic body types, there are so many options. So let us help you narrow down your choices to find a suit that fits and flatters your frame. Click to jump to your need:
| Tummy | Small Chest | Large Chest | Small Booty |
| Big Booty | Athletic Body | Curvy Body | Short Torso |
| Back Fat | Full Thighs | Wide Hips | Burn Easily |
1. Tummy Concealing
Smooth that tummy out with the wrap-around band. The v-neckline directs the eyes away from the tummy. While the ruching detail on the wraps adds to the slimming effect! Hiding a tummy is easy than most people think.
Plums aren’t just great to wear to the office. They are also ideal for a day at the beach. A full piece with ruching conceals your stomach. Choose a one-piece with a plunging neckline to keep the focus on your upper body rather than your midsection.
2. Small Chest
Seeking out a suit that flatters your bust can be challenging. The best bet for a gal with a smaller chest is to go for a top with embellishment or ruffles. It gives the illusion of a larger chest. A suit with padding can also give you a little somethin’ somethin’ extra!
Tips and Tricks:
- Flaunt what you have and fake what you don’t. Opt for an underwire bra top or padding to create more cleavage. A structured top will shape what you have. While padded cups can actively fake more if that’s the look you’re after.
- Distract, distract, distract! Ruffles, bold prints and splashes of colour are all far busier than a simple, solid suit. They are sure to claim an onlooker’s attention.
- Embrace what you can wear. Tiny tops and unique shapes are cute, but often spell disaster for women with larger chests. Trendy styles are easy to conquer when isn’t mandatory. So go ahead and play around with fun cuts!
3. Large Chest
Stay clear of string bikinis. Look for a bathing top or a one-piece with underwire and cups. Cup sizes and underwire will offer you the support you need. This way your boobs won’t be all over the place when you take a dip. Look for thicker bathing suit straps and double-stitched bands for the most flattering results.
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4. Small Booty
Try a swimsuit that has a deep back and has a bottom that goes up high to show leg and some cheek. The high cut adds shape to bottoms of all sizes. It makes a smaller butt look fuller and gives a larger but great shape.
Frills and ruching come to the rescue once again! They give the illusion of a bigger behind. Brightly coloured boots and loud prints can also distract from a flatter tush. Always try to show a little cheek over wearing full-coverage bottoms.
5. Big Booty
An ample backside means string bikinis and high-cut swimsuits are a no-go. These can be uncomfortable and a little too revealing. You need a suit with enough fabric in that area so you’re not tugging for coverage or picking a wedgie.
Avoid Brazilian and skimpy cut swimsuits. You should look for designs with solid bottoms and printed tops. It will help balance out your big booty.
6. Athletic Body
Here is where you want to give the illusion of more curves. Cups, padding and gathering are your best friends here. Rock that girlie print and bright colours. Straight-across bandeaus, boy-cut briefs or shapeless full-pieces will only enhance your athletic figure.
The zigzag effect and blocking of the prints draw the eye from shoulder to bust to legs. This also suggests curves. You also won’t have to worry about your swimsuit slipping off at the beach!
Always try to play up your curves with styles that flaunt your frame Suits with less coverage help create the illusion of a shapelier figure.
Tips and tricks:
- Tops or bottoms with bold prints, ruffles and embellishments are intriguing. A feminine flair creates the appearance of more curves at the top and bottom.
- Monokinis create fabulous curves, as do one-pieces with slash or strategically placed cutouts.
- The smaller the swimsuit bottom, the fuller and curvier the derriere appears.
- Tie-side bikini bottoms enhance curves and adjust perfectly to your size.
7. Curvy Body
This slimming one-piece bathing suit with sleeves adds more shoulder width. It evens out your top and bottom too. The unique placement of colour blocking and patterns intentionally slim the midsection.
What to look for: A swimsuit that gives the illusion of a defined waist using colour blocks with contrasting colours that go from light to dark. It gives the illusion of a tiny middle. A deep v-neck style with cinching at the waist can emphasize it and draw the eyes to your mid-section.
8. Short Torso
The trick to elongating a short torso is adding length and lifting the bustline. Low-rise bottoms make your torso appear longer. While halter straps draw attention to your neck and shoulders. People will skim over your short mid-section.
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9. Back Fat
Via SwimSpot
A suit with thin straps that digs into your skin never feels good. Dreaded flesh folds don’t look good either. So reach for designs with thicker straps and a high back to smooth any lumps and bumps.
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10. Full Thighs
Flatter a full thigh using a swim dress. The skirt component conceals part of your upper leg (and feel free to skip the bikini wax).
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11. Wide Hips
Overlays help broaden shoulders. One-piece swimsuits for a small bust give the upper body balance. It’s all about balancing your shoulders and hips. Since you have plenty of hip, pick a suit that gives the illusion of an elongated clavicle. These off-the-shoulder numbers do the trick.
12. Burns Easily
Sun-sensitive ladies have it tough. You want to have some fun in the sun without looking like a lobster afterwards. Beyond having a coverup and SPF 50 sunblock, your swimsuit can provide you with stylish protection. Consider the rashguard. Long-sleeved tops aren’t just for serious surfers anymore They come in a variety of fun and eye-catching prints.
