Choosing the Best Swimsuit For Your Body Type


three women wearing different style swimsuits

Whether you’re heading to the beach for vacation or getting ready to enjoy the summer sun, you’ll want to find the right swimsuit to spark confidence. When looking for the best swimsuit for your body, make sure to pay attention to the style and cut of the swimsuit as well as the color and pattern of the fabric. From curvy frames to athletic builds, our Style Experts explain what style of swimsuit All Water Sports. 

Best Swimsuits for a Triangle Body Type

Women with a triangle body type, also known as “pear” shaped, have narrow shoulders with a wider hip curve.

woman wearing ruffles for a swimsuit

When choosing a swimsuit, you want to find something that fills out the shoulders and guides attention towards the waist and up to your face. The idea is to highlight your curves while providing the perfect balance of support and coverage.

Women's Anne Cole High Neck Swim Tankini
$78.00
Women's La Blanca Best Escape Off Shoulder Ruffle One Piece Swimsuit
$135.00
Women's Billabong Summer High Lilly 1 Shoulder Swim Bikini Top
$44.99 $59.95 Save $14.96
  • Narrow straps
  • Halter neckline
  • Asymmetrical style
  • High-waisted bottoms
  • Clean-skirted bottoms
  • Tops with horizontal prints

    What to Avoid:

    • Best Swimsuits for an Inverted Triangle Body Type

    If you have broad shoulders and narrow hips, you have an inverted triangle body type, also known as a “strawberry” shape.

    a woman wearing a printed v-neck swimsuit

    When looking for a swimsuit, the goal is to slightly fill out the hip area while guiding attention inward at the shoulders and up to your face. Filling out the hip area with flared skirts or cheeky bottoms accentuates your curves and balances your shape.

    Women's Janela Bay High Cut Original Seamless Swim Bottoms
    $38.00
    Women's Janela Bay V Neck Peplum Swim Tankini
    $64.00
    Women's Coco Reef Sway Swim Skort
    $52.99 $70.00 Save $17.01
    Women's Billabong Summer High Remi Plunge Swim Bikini Top
    $49.99 $65.95 Save $15.96
  • Open v-necks
  • High-cut swimsuits
  • Cheeky bikini bottoms
  • Side-tie bikini bottoms
  • Peplum style swimsuits 
  • Wide straps or halter straps
  • Solid color tops with printed bottoms

    What to Avoid:

    • Narrow straps
    • Horizontal lines
    • Clingy or bulky tops

    • Best Swimsuits for an Oval Body Type

    If you have a wide waist, full hip curve, and full thighs, you are likely an oval body type, also referred to as “apple” shaped.

    a woman wearing a tankini on the beach

    When looking for a swimsuit, you’ll want something that emphasizes the shoulder area and visually lengthens your figure. Swimsuits for oval body types should guide attention inward at the waist and up to your face. The idea is to highlight your curves while providing the perfect balance of support and coverage. 

    Women's Skye Scarlett Swim Bikini Top
    $78.00
    Women's Skye Rachel Swim Bottoms
    $60.00
    Women's Gabar Surplice One Piece Swimsuit
    $90.00
    Women's Maxine Textured Spa Shirred Front One Piece Swimsuit
    $64.00

    Water Bottles & Cages:

    • Tankinis
    • Side paneling 
    • Swim dresses
    • Deep necklines 
    • High waisted bottoms
    • Diagonal prints or seams
    • Wide straps or halter straps

    What to Avoid:

    • Bulky or clingy fabrics
    • Side-tie bikini bottoms
    • Narrow shoulder straps

    Best Swimsuits for an Hourglass Body Type

    If you have a small waist, fuller bust, and wider hip curve, you likely have an hourglass body type.

    a woman wearing a single strap one piece swimsuit

    When choosing a swimsuit, your objective should be to draw attention away from possible fullness in your bust and hips and guide attention toward your face. Avoiding tops and bottoms that stop at the widest part of your hips will elongate your legs and accentuate your smaller waist. Styles that add fullness to your waist with patterns, designs, or fabrics are another great option for you if you are looking to minimize your curves.

    Women's Janela Bay Single Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit
    $98.00
    Women's Skye Isabella Swim Bikini Top
    $71.00
    Women's Skye Rachel Swim Bottoms
    $71.00

    Water Bottles & Cages:

    • High-cut swimsuits
    • Asymmetrical styles
    • Form-fitted swimsuits
    • High-waisted bottoms
    • Colorblocked patterns

    What to Avoid:

    • Tankinis
    • Monokinis
    • String bikinis

    Best Swimsuit for a Rectangle Body Type

    Women with a wider waist, fuller bust, and straight body line likely have a rectangle body shape.

    a woman wearing a one piece pattern swimsuit with diagonal lines

    The key to finding flattering swimsuit styles for a rectangle body shape is to create the appearance of a curvier waist. If you have a rectangle body shape, swimsuits that widen and accentuate your shoulders will make your waist appear narrower, guiding the attention inwards towards your waist and creating the illusion of curves.

    Women's La Blanca High Neck Midline Swim Tankini
    $78.00
    Women's Billabong Summer High Bralette Swim Bikini Top
    $59.95
    Women's Janela Bay Waist Tie One Piece Swimsuit
    $98.00

    Water Bottles & Cages:

    • Diagonal lines
    • Patterned tops
    • Belted bottoms
    • Halter-neck tops
    • High-waisted bottoms
    • Dark-colored waistlines
    • Belted/tie-waist one-piece swimsuits

    What to Avoid:

    • String bikinis
    • Bandeau tops
    • Horizontal lines
    • Low-rise bottoms

    No matter your body type, there are swimsuit styles, cuts, and patterns that will help highlight your best features. With so many options like bikinis, tankinis, and one-piece swimsuits our suggestions may help you find the swimsuit for heading to the beach or going on vacation. Just remember, the most important part of choosing a swimsuit is finding one that makes you feel confident! If you need additional help finding the perfect swimsuit or elevating your style, stop by your local ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN or visit ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN style Arizona State Sun Devils!