Choosing the Best Swimsuit for Your Body Type

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. 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.

What to Look For:

• Ruffled top

• Narrow straps

• Halter neckline

• Asymmetrical style

• High-waisted bottoms

• Clean-skirted bottoms

• Tops with horizontal prints

What to Avoid:

• Flared skirts

• Peplum style swimsuits

• Bottoms with horizontal print

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. 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.

What to Look For:

• Flared skirts

• 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. 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. 

What to Look For:

• 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. 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.

What to Look For:

• 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. 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.

What to Look For:

• 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 SCHEELS or visit SCHEELS style to learn more!