The summertime is synonymous with fun for many people. The longer hours of daylight and warmer temperatures allow everyone to get outdoors and have some fun in the sun. The beach, lake, and pool are all hot spots that people flock to during this hot season.
However, there is one aspect of summer that many despise – swimsuit season. After a long winter of covering up and holiday eating, it can be frightening to walk down the beach with your head held high in a bikini.
Even the task of finding the right bathing suit can seem impossible. Most women loathe an afternoon spent trying on suit after suit under the bright lights in a dressing room. However, you can’t exactly wear your clothes to the beach. So, what’s a girl to do?
You can’t avoid swimsuit season, but there are ways to make it a little better. Believe it or not, you can feel carefree and confident in your swimsuit. The key to beach confidence is wearing a bathing suit that you feel good in. One that complements your frame and body type. A good bathing suit should not only fit, but draw the eye to areas you want to highlight and away from areas you don’t.
The Secret
Have you ever seen other bikini-clad girls splashing in the ocean or running down the beach confidently and wondered how do they do it? Meanwhile, you’re busy pulling on and adjusting your bathing suit, and wishing you could cover up. If you don’t feel too hot in your swimsuit, it makes it even harder to emerge from under the umbrella, let alone strut your stuff down the beach.
Everyone should love the bathing suit they wear. We want everyone to feel confident and have fun on the water. That’s why we’re going to let you in on a little secret. It’s all in the fit.
When you go to try on swimsuits, if you know what styles and cuts to look for, along with selecting one that fits you correctly, you’ll walk away with a suit that you feel good in. If you’re stressing about the impending swimsuit season, don’t worry! Below, we have included all the different bathing suit styles that complement each body type.
Body Types
First, you need a crash course in body types. If you are unsure of what body type you may be, then there’s a good chance you’ve been wearing the wrong bathing suits – which might explain while you haven’t felt fully confident. Below is a guide to the most common body types for women.
Hourglass
As the name insinuates, you are shaped like an hourglass. This means you have curvy hips and a larger bust. Your waist is cinched, meaning it is drastically smaller than your hips and bust.
Pear Shaped
Pear shaped women are wider on the bottom than they are up top. Their upper bodies are usually slender with a smaller bust. They have great hips, which are the widest part of the body.
Petite
Petite women are small all over. Short in height and weight, these ladies likely have a smaller bust and hips.
Full Figured
Full figured gals have an all-over curvy or heavy figure. With larger bust and hips, however, measurements aren’t as drastic as hourglass figures.
Straight Up and Down
Ladies who are described as straight up and down have very few curves, and their hip-bust-waist measurements are similar.
Athletic
Women with athletic figures have broader shoulders with narrower hips and naturally muscular or toned legs.
Apple
Women with apple figures resemble the rounded fruit, with thinner legs and arms, but a fuller torso.
The Style and Cut for You
Now that you have your body type figured out, find out the style or cut that’s perfect for you!
Triangle top
Triangle tops have cups that are – you guessed it – shaped in a triangle with string ties. They work best for those with a smaller bust, as they don’t give any added support. They also accentuate broad shoulders, toned arms, and smaller upper bodies.
Bandeau tops
Since these tops have no straps, ladies with a bigger bust should stay away, as they give no extra support. Also, those with an apple shape should steer clear, as the straight across cut will only bring more attention to broad shoulders and round belly.
Underwire and halter tops
Women who need more support should turn to molded cups and underwires. Halters are another great look that gives you an added lift.
Molded cups
Those with a smaller chest might like molded cups as they create a fuller bust line.
Hipster bottoms
These bottoms are shaped like boy shorts or briefs and sit at the hip. They are perfect for those who want full coverage on their lower half. Another option is the currently popular high waist bottom. Fuller bottoms tend to look the best on pear and athletic-shaped women. Petite women should stay away from them as they might overwhelm their frame.
String bottoms
String bottoms complement triangle tops and have an adjustable tie at each hip. They have medium coverage with little support. They tend to look better on athletic, straight up and down, and petite figures.
Brazilian cuts
Brazilian cuts are not for the faint of heart! They have very minimal covering and are perfect for ladies who want to show off their backside. While they look good on most bodies, athletic, hourglass, and petite figures usually gravitate toward this style to show off their great lower halves.
Current Trends for Everyone
With that being said, there are several bathing suit trends that look great on everyone. One-piece styles are no longer reserved for older women. One-pieces have made a comeback. Many have taken inspiration from suits of the past with the high leg and deep back from the 80s and 90s.
Mesh is also a biggie this season. You can find just about any type of suit with mesh detailing – high waist bottoms, one-pieces, triangle tops, etc. – so try one out! They look great on the beach, and the extra detail makes a solid-colored suit pop.
Lastly, no matter what your body type or the suit you choose, mixing and matching will never go out of style. So, have fun and mix two of your favorite colors together for a head-turning look. Also, keep in mind that cutouts, ruffles, and patterns are always on trend. Just because you’re in a bathing suit, it doesn’t mean you have to play it safe with solids (unless you want to.)
