Swimsuits to Suit your Shape

Finding the perfect swimsuit can be about as frustrating as finding a good boyfriend. There are so many attractive options, BUT it´s so hard to find one that´s actually a good fit. Fortunately, only one of these is essential for the perfect beach day (I'm talking about the swimsuit).

They key to finding the perfect swim suit is finding a silhouette that compliments your body's shape, & gives the right amount of support where/when it's necessary. Regardless of your shape or size there is no need to sacrifice style when looking for the perfect fit. Below I've posted some tips on how to find the perfect swimsuit for your shape, and included some options that capture this seasons biggest trends. 

The Triangle or Pear Shape (small on top, with wider hips)

This is where I fit in. Personally, I love having small breasts & think that a small waist with big hips is the epitome of femininity. I love to wear bandeaus & solid triangle tops to give me a garcon look from the waist up, and a Brazilian cut bottoms with tie sides to emphasize my curvy bottom half. However, ideally most of us would like to create balance with our clothing options. For you my fellow triangles and pears the trick to creating balance is to add volume to your top half, and minimize your bottom. Below I´ll post some examples from this season and explain why they work for you.

This mix and match style from Poko Pano S/S 2011 is ideal for pear shapes! The horizontal stripes and rounded neck line create volume at the bust, while the hipster bottom gives the perfect amount of front coverage to give balance to your figure. This Brazilian style is sure to have cheeky back coverage which is perfect for Pears! The most common mistake women make is want to maximize the back coverage of their swim suit in order to appear smaller. This actually has the opposite effect! The more you cover your booty the bigger it will look.

This monokini from Aqua di Lara S/S 2011 is stunning in hyper color pink! The diagonal line that cut from waist to neck will open up your chest and create volume across your shoulders to give you a perfect hour glass shape. At the same time the diagonal lines that connect waist to hip will accentuate your curves in a good way.

The ruffle triangle tops that launched last year were so popular that many designers are bringing them back this season. If you'd like to create volume at your chest with out padding this is a fantastic option. The ruffle tops play perfectly into the feminine and lingerie inspired trends. This polka dot version from Spanish designer Guillermina Beaza  is a beautiful option for both tan and fair skin. The low rise bottom  elongates the torso which is great for Pears that are short waisted. If you'd rather elongate your legs opt for a hi cut bikini bottom. Choosing a bottom in a solid color will draw the focus upward.

The Apple (Bit of a tummy, usually with slimmer legs & arms)

Brace yourself ladies because it is finally your season for fashionable swimwear styles that compliment your shape! The Retro Style high waist bikinis that dominated the runway are perfect to hide a bit of tummy while giving an incredibly sexy and feminine silhouette. Some of the lingerie inspired or 1970's inspired one pieces are also fantastic options

This Retro 70's style one piece from Red Carter is the PERFECT suit for an apple. The solid black bottom panel  is perfect for slimming the mid section. The belt expertly placed at the natural waist line cinches and creates a smaller waist line; while the graphic lines draw attention the bust & create volume at the bust and shoulders which adds balance to a rounder shape.

This one swimsuit from Brazilian brand Cia.Maritima works alot like the one piece from Red Carter above. Combining a print with a solid breaks up the silhouette which helps convert a round apple into an hour glass. The difference is that here we slim the top half with a solid black color and a lot of rouching to help cinch the waistline. The wide V straps create volume at the shoulders which also help balance out the waistline. I love the  triangle shaped cut out right above the natural waist line, it's extremely sensual.

With Retro Styling becoming a macro trend for swim wear this seasons there are infinite options for high waisted bikinis. I couldn't resist using this version by Rosa Chá because the entire collection was breathtakingly gorgeous! High waisted bikinis work extremely well on hour glass, apple, and pear shaped women. They work because they work because they accentuate the natural waist line, while flattering  (but not minimizing) feminine curves and hips. Many highwaist bikini come with bra inspired tops which give great support for bustier women, but are also a great fit for women with smaller breasts. These styles manage to be demure, and sexy at the same time (which is surely why this trend has caught on so quickly). I can´t help but think that Betty Page must have had something to do with the inspiration.

The Inverted Triangle (Wide shoulders, and narrow hips)

For inverted triangles the most flattering styles are ones that create volume at your hips to balance out your top half, with tops that compliment or minimize your shoulders. 

This 70´s inspired Bikini by TCN is ideal for inverted triangles because the exaggerated ruffle detail at the hip will add volume to create balance with your figure. Though a bandeau style is not ideal for minimizing, paired with the ruffled bottom it will compliment your strong shoulders and create a feminine silhouette.

This Monokini from Red Carter is incredibly sexy and ideal for an inverted triangle. The halter style top and plunging neck line creates the appearance of narrow shoulders, and the low rise bottom sits on the widest part of the torso to create volume at the hips.

Boyshort and hipster style bottoms will add dimension to your hips which creates curves, and will balance out your top half. Halter and triangle tops will downplay your shoulders by creating the illusion of a narrow point around the neck. This hyper color print by Tavik is the perfect example.

The Ruler (Straigh up and down, ¨boyish¨ figure)

If you're a ruler you can play up, or play down any part of your torso to create your desired shape. Choose bottoms that add dimension to your hips, and tops that lengthen your shoulders to create an hourglass. Or maybe play down your bust with a solid colored bandeau or triangle top paired with a printed hipster bottom to give you the feminine shape of a guitar. The only style I would NOT recommend for a ruler would be a high waisted bikini. This style while make you look extremely boxy.

If you'd like to create the illusion of a curvy hourglass figure than this 70's inspired, Missoni-ish printed bikini from Paradizia is ideal. The combination of a low rise bottom with a ruffle will widen your hips, and the beaded fringe on the triangle top will also help to add volume to your bust. The scalloped horizontal stripes will also help widen both the bust line, and the hips which will cinch your waist line by comparison.

If you'd like to emphasize your hips then this zebra print bikini from Luli Fama is perfection! The low rise scoop bottom will create delicate curves, while the bandeau top will widen your shoulders a bit but down play the bust. Just like horizontal stripes this zebra print will also help to cinch the waist line by creating the illusion of volume on your top and bottom half.

The Hour Glass

Lucky you have the shape most women strive to create with their swim wear choice. However, you know best that not any suit will do. Many hour glasses have a hard time finding a flattering suit that provides the needed support for their bust. Here are some beautiful options.

If moderate bust support is what you're looking for this bikini from Aquarella is nice option.the seeming under the bust line is a bit wider than a traditional triangle top which helps give a bit of lift. Also, notice there are 3 places to adjust the top which will help for both support and to adjust the desired amount of cleavage. The bow in the center allows you to push your breasts together for more cleavage or apart for less. The halter style tie around the neck will give you desired lift, and the tie around the back gives you the ability to adjust to fit as necessary.  Choosing a matching print will keep your hour glass proportions which is exactly what you're looking for. 

If more bust support is what you need than this 1950's retro style, lingerie inspired bikini is a perfect fit, that's perfectly on trend. In general looking for styles with cup sizes like bras will help achieve the support you need. The high waist bottom will compliment your feminine curves, and can also have a slimming effect.

This hyper color bikini is a great option if you're looking for something skimpy/sexy but with fantastic support. This retro triangle top is offered from 32A to 38D, and comes with removable padding. Another great feature is the option to pick your bottom style which is available from low rise, to high waist (any of which will compliment an hour glass figure quite nicely).