Finding the perfect swimsuit can be challenging. Try-on after try-on is demotivating at best, and can make a simple task like going to the beach a chore.
What if we told you there was a way to improve your swimsuit journey, so you can look and feel your best at all times? At Curvy Swimwear, we’ve spent years perfecting swimsuits for a range of body types, so we’re experts at creating flawless swimwear to give you confidence for your next beach day!
The first step to finding a swimsuit to flatter your body shape is discovering what body shape you are. Look at your shoulders, chest, waist and hips to determine where your widest and narrowest part of your body is.
These four sections define your body shape and affect the shape and fit of your swimsuit.
The basic shapes are rectangle, pear, apple, hourglass, and circle. These shapes can help you understand what part of your body is the widest, and where you want to draw the most attention to.
If you want to appear to have an hourglass figure you want to accentuate your waist, or if you are wanting to make your hips appear narrower you want to draw attention to your chest.
Well designed swimwear will not only flatter your figure but also accent all your favourite parts of your body.
Rectangle Shape
If your shoulders, chest, waist and hips are all approximately the same size you have a rectangle body shape. This is often found in more athletic builds, like swimmers, surfers and runners. The great thing about rectangle bodies is you can choose where you want to draw attention to.
We recommend a swimsuit with detailing around the waist to draw the eye to that section of your body and make it appear smaller and more shapely. High cut bottoms are also amazing for rectangle body types, this style elongates your legs and slims your waist, giving your body a shapely and thin silhouette.
Fortunately, many styles will fit your body type, it is just up to your personal style to decide what suits you best. If you are always getting burnt and affected by the sun, try this rash guard shirt.
Pear Shape
A pear body shape has narrow shoulders and wider hips, often women with this body shape look to even out their shoulders and narrow their hips, to even out their body and draw attention to their waist and upper body.
The best swimwear for this body type has ruffles and ruching to draw attention to your bust and create fullness. These details balance your body and bring the eyes to your top half, giving the illusion of a more shapely figure.
Pear body types look great in both one-piece swimsuits and two pieces, there may be struggles in finding a great fitting swimsuit when you have hips significantly wider than your shoulders and chest. In this case, tankinis or bikinis are great options, so you can be comfortable and don’t need to worry about extra fabric around your bust.
Apple Shape
If you are fuller in the bust and waist with slightly narrower hips you may be an apple shape. This body type often carries their weight in their upper body and belly, with their hips and bottom being smaller than the rest of their body.
Apple body shapes can also be known as inverted triangles or hearts. This body type can choose to define their waist or to disguise the midsection completely. Either choice will balance the body and draw the attention away from your hips and bottom.
Choose swimsuits with waist accents to draw the eye to your waist and make it appear slimmer to give the illusion of an hourglass figure. This can be something with a faux belt, a waist detailing or a high waisted two-piece that finishes at the belly button. If you are looking for something more modest, a swimsuit with ruffles, loud patterns or a skirted bottom (like a swim dress) is great for you as it disguises the mid-section and effectively draws attention away from your widest section.
Hourglass
Hourglass shapes are the most commonly portrayed in modern media, with shoulders and hips an equal width and a smaller waist. A great part about this body shape is that clothes are often designed with it in mind. With this body type you can choose whatever swimsuit you like.
High waisted bottoms will accent your figure and cinch your waist further and draw attention to your shape. If you are looking for a one piece, a lace up that shows a bit of skin looks great, as does anything that hugs your body tight. This will highlight your small waist and let your curves do the work for you.
Circle
If you find your widest part is your midsection then you have a circle body shape. This shape can be hard to dress as you don’t want to cut into your midsection with too tight bottoms or tops and give yourself an unnecessary overhang.
Two-piece swimsuits like tankinis are your friend here, this will help you find a flattering top and bottom when you may be two different sizes. If you are wanting to hide your midsection tankinis are great, especially ones with a ruffle or A-line shape; this draws the viewers attention up to a smaller part of your body, like your underbust. Pairing this with a flattering bottom will enhance your curves and make you appear more shapely.
Knowing your body shape is imperative when it comes to finding flattering swimsuits. When you buy an ill fitting item of clothing it can often make you appear larger than you truly are and feed any insecurities you may have.
Finding the right swimsuit can change how you feel about yourself and give you the confidence to do things you may not have before – like going to the beach or pool.
No matter your body shape it is important to dress in a way that feels authentic to you and your personality, that way you can feel and look your best all year round!
Ready to shop for your body type? Check out a range of Curvy Swimwear swimsuits!
