As a fashion stylist with years of experience helping women find flattering swimwear, I know summer can't be ignored. The good news? There's a bikini or one-piece swimsuit for every figure—and one-pieces are making a stylish comeback.
Straight, boyish figure:
Suitable: Opt for designs with 3D effects like ruffles, padding, rings, or bows. Large prints add shape to a slender frame, while embellished bottoms highlight hips and define the waist.
Unsuitable: Avoid bikinis with vertical stripes or minimalistic styles lacking texture and accents that emphasize straight lines.
A tummy:
Suitable: Choose bikinis that drape over the waist, such as A-line tankinis or wide-leg bottoms paired with supportive tops. One-pieces with built-in tummy control or retro high-waisted styles from the '50s provide excellent camouflage.
Unsuitable: Steer clear of tight tankinis, bottoms with belts or ties, thongs, or low-rise boxers.
Wide hips and full thighs:
Suitable: Draw the eye upward with bold tops featuring vibrant colors, deep necklines, or metallic accents. Pair with straighter-cut bottoms that sit about three centimeters below the hip bone.
Unsuitable: Skip masculine shorts, side cut-outs, embellished bottoms, or those with metal rings.
Small bust:
Suitable: Triangle-cup tops create the illusion of fullness, as do padded cups for a rounder silhouette.
Unsuitable: Avoid solid dark colors, sporty cuts, or stiff fabrics that flatten curves.
Long torso and short legs:
Suitable: High-cut legs elongate the appearance of your legs. Bikinis work best here, visually breaking up the torso with separate pieces to make it seem shorter.
Unsuitable: Pass on boy-leg suits, shorts, or boxers.
