Whether shopping for a regular swimsuit or a new bikini for your holiday we all want to feel good but with so many to choose from it can be difficult to know what styles are the most flattering. Remember, these are guidelines to help inspire your choices rather than strict rules – the most important thing is finding swimwear that makes you feel fabulous! To ensure you step out in swimwear this summer that celebrates your body I’ve created this guide to help you find the right swimwear for your body shape.

Hourglass

Those that have balanced shoulders (often with a fuller bust) and hips with a smaller waist fall into this body shape. The goal with this body shape is to follow the natural balance of your figure.

• Swimsuits with all over colour and print work well to keep you evenly balanced
• Underwired designs will give support for your bust as will choosing styles with broader straps
• A one piece with detail at the waist will look great and create a focal point
• Full cup bikini tops give good coverage
• High waisted bikini briefs with a different colour trim at the waistline can help to emphasise the waist
• Opt for matching top and bottoms when wearing a bikini
• To lengthen your silhouette opt for deeper colours.

Apple 

Characterised by a larger top half with narrow hips and slim legs, the apple body shape tends to carry weight around the tummy.  The trick to choosing the most flattering swimwear is all about creating visual balance.

• Swimwear with wide adjustable shoulder straps in a must for supporting a fuller bust.  Thicker straps will also slim the shoulders
• Opt for a one piece and bikini bottoms with tummy control to help flatter the tummy and give a smooth silhouette
• A swimsuit with soft gathers across the tummy or ruching above the fullest part of the tummy can give a slimming effect
• Try an empire line swim dress which falls from underneath the bust and skims the tummy
• Bikini bottoms with detail including ruffles and side ties will help to balance your figure.

Pear Shape

A pear shape bodyline is characterised with narrow shoulders, a nipped in waist and full hips.  Often this body shape will wear a bigger clothing size on their bottom than their top and find trousers which fit their hips are to big on the waist. The idea with this body shape is to balance the upper and lower body and emphasis the waist.

• Choose swimwear with detail (think ruffles and bows) on the upper body to help draw the eye upwards
• Plain colour bottoms in deeper shades teamed with patterned, more colour tops will flatter and help to balance your upper and lower body
• Wear a two pieces so you can select tops and bottoms to fit your size
• High cut bottoms will help to lengthen your legs and slim your bottom
• Lightly padded one piece or bikini top will give the appearance of a fuller bust
• Halter neck and triangle styles can flatter
• Gathered tops can aid fit.

Straight 

Rectangle body shapes have a straight silhouette, with little difference between waist, hip and bust measurements. The goal here is to create the illusion of a more curvy bodyline.

• Swimsuits with deep necklines and high cut on the hips help to add emphasis to smaller bust and hips
• A monokini (a one piece with cut out sides) are great and will create a fab curvy silhouette
• Padded bikini tops and triangle cut and halter neck styles will add fullness at the bust
• A one piece with detail around the waist will create a waistline
• Tie waist bottoms and adding detail like ruffles, patterns, frills, tassels or rings will all add volume to your hips
• Choose lighter and brighter colours.

Athletic 

Athletic body shapes are characterised by a broad back (often full busted), narrow waist and straight hips. The goal here is to balance the upper and lower body, creating fullness on the hips and bottom.

• One shoulder swimwear will look fab and visually narrow your shoulders
• Deep, narrow plunging necklines on a one piece will slim your bust and visually balance upper and lower body
• Opt for swimsuits and bikini’s with underwire if you have a fuller bust
• Thicker shoulder straps will provide support and comfort while making your shoulders look smaller
• Eye catching patterns and detail on your bikini bottoms will help to balance your figure.