Swimsuit shopping is something many women dread because it can be difficult to nail down the best type of bathing suit for each body type. But the process doesn’t have to be painful! The key is simply knowing where to look for amazing swimwear—and understanding how different cuts, styles, and fabrics affect your proportions in different ways.
While it’s important to embrace your body no matter your shape, the bottom line is something we all know: it’s much easier to feel confident when you’ve found an incredible swimsuit that flatters your shape. That’s when choosing a bathing suit that complements your body comes in handy.
I’ve sorted through some of the various types of body shapes and pulled the best tips and tricks for finding the perfect fit. Use this list as a guide so you can feel confident this summer, whether you’re lounging poolside or tanning at the beach.
The Best Bathing Suits for Every Body Type
Best Swimsuits for Small Busts
Women with small busts can get away with wearing certain styles that their larger-chested friends would typically struggle with. If you’re smaller up top, here are some things to keep in mind when swimsuit shopping:
- A structured, push-up top will show off what you do have.
- Bright colors and details will bring more attention to your bust, if that’s what you’re hoping to achieve.
- Lines and cutouts can exaggerate your chest size.
- Take advantage of your smaller bust by wearing strapless suits!
Riot Swim Jax Bikini Top
This underwire top will give you a bit of a boost while the diagonal lines create an illusion of a fuller chest. Pair it with the matching bottoms, which show off a subtle amount of cheek.
SHOP: Riot Swim Jax Bikini Top and Jax Bottoms
Tularosa Dilara One-Piece
Strapless swimsuits are generally more comfortable to wear when you have a smaller bust. This one has adorable bow accents and cutout details, which gives you slightly more to show off up top. Plus, you’ll avoid tan lines from going without straps.
SHOP: Tularosa Dilara One Piece
Billabong Coco Bralette Bikini
The swoop neck and tie center on this yellow floral swimsuit will draw some attention toward your bust. Plus, the small, triangle cutout at the bottom of the bikini top will highlight what you do have. Pack it for your next beach vacation and pair it with a plain white cover-up or denim shorts.
SHOP: Billabong Coco Bralette Bikini Top and Billabong Make You Mine Bikini Bottoms
Best Swimsuits for Large Busts
Choose a swimsuit that offers good coverage and is made with thicker, quality material so your top will stay put.
- Swimsuits with higher backs tend to be more comfortable.
- Underwire tops offer better support for larger chests.
- Thick straps will hold your bust in place.
- Consider shopping at places that specifically design for bust support. For example:
- Asos has an entire section with 600+ suits dedicated to fuller-bust swimwear
- Bare Necessities has a section for “bra-sized swimwear” and tons of underwire options
- Summersalt has a great “Boob Support” filter
Monday Swimwear Portugal Top & Riviera Bottom
Monday Swimwear is consistently one of the top places that I turn to for fuller-bust bathing suits, since the brand was specifically designed for women with larger chests. The Portugal top comes in 3 colors (including a fun tiger print) and is one of the few swimwear styles that goes up to a G-cup.
SHOP: Monday Swimwear Portugal Top & Palma Bottom
Summersalt The Ruffle Oasis
I’ve been vocal about my love for Summersalt many times, and own several of their swimsuits. They’re made with super high-quality fabrics and offer some of the most supportive swimsuits for bigger busts. I love that they show how this swimsuit looks on many different body types, so you can really get a feel for how it will fit you.
Another cool perk: the Summersalt website has a filter you can use that will show you suits that provide extra “boob support.”
SHOP: Summersalt The Ruffle Oasis
ASOS Underwire Bikini Top
This floral patterned underwire top is perfect for summer vacations or a girls trip, and I love that it’s unpadded yet has an underwire for extra support. Thick straps help it to stay in place, and it ranges from size DD all the way up to a G cup.
SHOP: Peek & Beau Bikini Set
Norma Kamali Snake Mesh Bikini
One strap swimsuits can provide a surprising amount of support, as long as the strap is thick. The higher neckline on this bikini offers great coverage for bigger boobs. Plus, the sheer mesh detail shows a bit of skin without being too revealing.
SHOP: Norma Kamali Snake Mesh Bikini and Bikini Bottoms
Best Swimsuits for Pear Shape
If you’re curvy at the hips and thighs and smaller up top, look for swimsuits that offer coverage to your lower half.
- Bows, ruching, bright patterns, and plunging necklines will draw attention upward rather than toward your waist.
- Avoid anything that has big ruffles or a low belt.
- High-waisted bikini bottoms will accentuate the small of your waist, while offering ample coverage of your bum.
Sea Level Twist Front One-Piece
The bright color of this ruched, one-piece swimsuit will accentuate your bust while minimizing the focus on your legs. It has a deep, sweetheart neckline that adds some extra character.
The swimsuit also comes in a simple black hue for those who don’t want to make such a statement.
SHOP: Sea Level Twist Front One-Piece
Boamar Mezty Bikini
These high-waisted bikini bottoms would be the perfect complement to curvy hips and thighs. The feminine, tie waist will encourage eyes to focus on your swimsuits fun details while the extra fabric offers up some coverage.
SHOP: Boamar Metzy Bikini Top and Bikini Bottoms
Becca Convertible One-Piece
The scoop neck on this one-piece will give the appearance of a fuller chest, while the square-shaped cutout adds a flirty touch. It has padded cups for those who want some extra oomph, but they can be removed if they aren’t your thing.
SHOP: Becca Double Tie Front Swimsuit
Best Swimsuits for Curves
Opt for swimsuits that offer the support you need while still showing off your best features.
- One-piece swimsuits or high-waisted bikini bottoms can make your torso look longer and leaner.
- Color-blocked bathing suits can highlight your shape.
- Ruching or textured fabrics can be tummy trimming.
Frankies Bikinis Bea High Waist Bottom
Bikinis are for every body type, and can be particularly flattering on women with curves. The trick is to find one that highlights your shape while still offering enough support.
This white floral pick from Frankies Bikinis was designed with all bodies in mind. Although it’s strapless, it also has a double liner to offer some coverage and support. The high-waisted bottoms will hold you in while showing off a bit of your cheeks.
SHOP: Frankies Bikinis Jeanette Top and Bea High Waist Bottoms
Summersalt The Sunbather
This is another great choice from Summersalt, especially for curvy women. It has a soft shelf bra with built-in cups and offers the best booty coverage out of all of the brand’s swimsuits. Many reviews note that it’s an insanely comfortable choice, and some girls who commented expressed how confident they felt in it.
SHOP: Summersalt The Sunbather
Tommy Bahama Colorblock One-Piece
With thick straps, lined cups, and a color blocked midriff, this classic one-piece is the ideal choice for curvy gals. It’s made with spandex for an ultra-stretchy fit that you’ll feel good in whether you’re relaxing by the pool or chasing kids on the beach.
Bonus: The fabric is made with UPF 50+ material for some extra sun protection.
SHOP: Tommy Bahama Colorblock One-Piece
Best Swimsuits for Long Torsos
Highlight your long torso by picking swimsuits that draw attention to your waist.
- Bandeau bikini tops paired with asymmetrical bottoms are flattering options for long torsos.
- Bright colors and V-necklines can make a long torso appear shorter.
- One-piece swimsuits work best when they have interesting cut out elements and high-leg designs.
- Check out sites that cater to tall/long torsos (Figleaves has a filter for “longer length swimwear” with a ton of great options)
Tularosa Dreamer Bikini
These high-waisted bottoms will help bring more focus toward the smallest portion of your waist. I’m obsessed with the colorful pattern and the mesh detail. And the tie-front flutter sleeve top can be adjusted to stay in place.
SHOP: Tularosa Bikini Top and Bottoms
ASOS Tall Twist Front Swimsuit
A simple, black swimsuit is a summer closet staple, and this one from ASOS is made specifically for tall girls. The high-leg design and twist front cutout are flattering features for long torsos. Plus, it’s under $40! (Asos actually has an entire section dedicated to swimsuits for tall women, which is awesome.)
SHOP: ASOS Tall Twist Front Swimsuit
Lovers + Friends Caught Up One-Piece
I love how unique both the style and color of this swimsuit is. The asymmetrical top will show off some of your cleavage while the double, one-shouldered straps will draw eyes up top rather than to your waist or legs. I can’t think of a cuter swimsuit choice than this one for pool parties or bachelorette trips.
SHOP: Lovers + Friends Caught Up One-Piece
Best Swimsuits for Tummy Concealing
If you carry most of your weight in your stomach and are looking for a style that draws attention away from your midsection, pick swimsuits that have good coverage and smoothing elements.
- One-piece swimsuits can smooth down your stomach and add sliming elements throughout your body.
- Draw eyes up top by choosing swimsuits with deep necklines.
- Ruching and wrap designs can slim the appearance of your waist.
Miraclesuit Underwire One-Piece
The wrap design on this one-piece hides the front part of your belly while still showing off a bit of your curves. Miraclesuit is known for their quality swimwear that utilizes fabric that was designed to firm, hold, and shape your body while staying comfy.
SHOP: Miraclesuit Underwire One-Piece
Bare Necessities Wrap One-Piece
This simple one-piece features a deep neckline and cross waist that will show off the smallest part of your torso. I love the simple navy blue color and the thick straps, which will hold you up better than swimsuits with thin straps.
SHOP: Bare Necessities Wrap One-Piece
Athleta Square Neck One-Piece
Perfect for women who love to stand-up paddleboard, swim, or surf, this square neck one-piece offers a good range of coverage. The wireless top provides a comfortable and flattering fit while the smooth fabric is made to stretch. It comes in a variety of regular, tall, and petite sizes to accommodate all body types.
SHOP: Athleta Square Neck One-Piece
Have recommendations for other comfortable swimsuits? Leave them in the comments below!
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