Shop your shape – use your body type to shop for swimwear
“I always find it so encouraging when a women has embraced her body and dressed to compliment and accentuate her beautiful features rather than trying to fit into something that does nothing to enhance her beauty. I would like to see more and more women (myself included) being less critical about their bodies. I challenge you to forget what you see in the magazines, and embrace the body you have. Dress to accentuate your best features. I hope the following guidelines will be helpful. Stop wishing you had a different body and embrace the one the you have.” Sarah Elizabeth
Oval or rounded body type
You generally have a full middle with large breasts. Your weight tends to be distributed around your midsection, which can create an undefined waist. Your shoulders and hips are balanced, but are narrower than your waist. Try and accentuate and define your waist while visually elongating your figure.
Suit style that will compliment your body type:
Tankinis, especially one with a looser midsection, or one-piece suits are a great way to hide extra lumps and bumps especially on the tummy area. They also help avoid unflattering muffin tops. You especially want to look for suits that wrap over or have added support or control panels to help tuck in your midsection. Look for style that accentuates your curves while helping to add definition to your waist. One-piece costumes that have gathers in the torso area will normally give a sliming effect.
Inverted triangle body type
You have a wonderfully accentuated waist with larger breasts while your hips are normally smaller in comparison to your shoulders. You tend to be top heavy.
Suit style that will compliment your body type:
Balance your body (larger breasts) while taking advantage of your trim waistline. Avoid tiny bottoms and find styles that accentuate your bottom half. Try simple but bold colour halter- necks style, this will help your shoulders appear less broad or your more retro one-piece suits. Mix it up by pairing a solid colour top with a printed bottom. The bolder printed bottom will help to visually balance your body.
Hourglass body type
Your body shape balanced; your shoulders and hips are fairly similar size with a smaller more defined waist.
Suit style that will compliment your body type:
Halter necks, matching top and bottoms to reinforce your balanced appearance, strapless tops. You could also draw attention to your legs by trying a higher cut on the sides and your bottom by wearing a more thong-like bottom half. Take advantage of and enjoy your curves.
Rectangle or “Athletic” body type
Your slim figure is normally envied by everyone however you have little waist definition. Your weight is normally evening distributed.
Suit style that will compliment your body type:
Look for feminine styles and prints. You want to try and accentuate your shoulders to help give your waist definition. If you have smaller breasts you may want to explore a more padded top to add extra definition. Padded bikins with extra embellishments, ruffles and bows, will be helpful in accentuating your top half. Try a strapless style with extra detail on the bust line, the horizontal line will offer a balance and contrast.
Pear body type
You have a nicely shaped narrow waist and smaller breast and a shapely bottom half. Your hips are larger than your breast and shoulders.
Suit style that will compliment your body type:
You are looking to balance your body so look for style that enhance your breast area and upper body. Wide-set straps will also help to bolster your shoulder line. Try looking for patterned lighter colour tops with a darker plainer bottom half. High-waist bikinis can often hid a bit of your tummy while adding extra support and the detail offers balance. Wearing a sarong around your waist is a brilliant way to minimise your hips and thighs or a soft flowing chiffon maxi dress.
Diamond body type
You tend to have a fuller midsection with smaller shoulders and hips. Your waistline is undefined and is the largest part of your body. You may also find that you carry some extra weight on the top of your legs, while your lower legs are shapely.
Suit style that will compliment your body type:
Look for swimsuits that enhances your breasts drawing attention away from your stomach and hips. Try to avoid anything that is tailored over the stomach area or patterned over the tummy. Look for padding or embellishments on the breast area with a more flowing costume top. Mix it up by wearing a light colour patterned top with a darker lower half.
Stretch marks or looking for more coverage?
One-piece swimsuits can be extremely flattering and sexy. They often come with padded underwire tops and control panels on the tummy area. There are some wonderful and extremely flattering one piece design and avoid unflattering suits, rather look for something that will celebrate your femininity. The Monokini is a great choice if you want a bit more coverage over the tummy area but has the appearance of a bikini from the back.
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