When you think of hot beach bods, who comes to your mind? Well, we think of a stunning PeeCee killing it in a sizzling golden bikini in Dostana. You know why this fashion darling makes us sweat every time she slips into a swimsuit? Well, because she knows how to choose swimwear that can fit, and flatter, her curvy frame. If like Priyanka you want to slay the beach babe avatar, choose swimwear that looks like it is made just for you. Even if you are not planning a beach vacay anytime soon, we are hoping you wouldn’t mind hitting the pool next summer.
So, we’re bringing to you the best swimwear for every body type so that you feel fabulous the next time you’re lounging by the pool! But before we jump to the perfect swimwear let’s first understand the different body types, and how you know what type are you.
Get Your Measurements Right
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Take the measuring tape all the way around your shoulder. Make sure it falls loosely around your shoulders and is not too tight. Note down the number. In the same way measure around the fullest part of your bust. Keep the measuring tape slightly tight here. Note down this number as well. Repeat the same around the narrowest part of your waist and around the fullest part of your hips. Make sure the tape is neither too tight nor too loose. Write down all the numbers.
Compare these measurements to find out your body type:
Hourglass Body
Image Credits: Shilpa Shetty on Instagram/Malaika Arora on Instagram
Your shoulders are rounded, you have a well-defined waist, and your bust and hips are the same size. In short, your body is well balanced with curves at just the right places.
Celebrities with an hourglass body: Malaika Arora, Shilpa Shetty
Pear (Or Triangle) Shaped Body
Image Credits: Ileana D’Cruz on Instagram/Katrina Kaif on Instagram
Your waist is defined, your hips are larger than your bust, and you have slim shoulders.
Celebrities with a pear-shaped body: Ileana D’Cruz, Katrina Kaif
Apple-Shaped Body
Image Credits: Sonakshi Sinha on Instagram/Vidya Balan on Instagram
You are slightly heavier around the waist. You have fuller hips and wide shoulders.
Celebrities with an apple-shaped body: Sonakshi Sharma, Vidya Balan
Rectangle (Or Straight) Body
Image Credits: Anushka Sharma on Instagram/Jacqueline Fernandez on Instagram
You have a rectangle or straight body type, which means there’s not much difference in the measurements of your waist, butts, and bust.
Celebrities with a rectangle body type: Anushka Sharma, Jacqueline Fernandez
Inverted Triangle Body Type
Image Credits: Nargis Fakhri on Instagram/Sonam K Ahuja on Instagram
Your hips are slimmer than your bust and shoulders. And, your upper body may be slightly heavier, but overall, you have an athletic body.
Celebrities with an inverted triangle body type: Sonam Kapoor, Nargis Fakhri
Swimwear For Hourglass Body Type
Image Credits: https://www.shutterstock.com/
We envy you with all our heart. Girl, you hardly need more from life when you have got a body like that. You got curves at all the right places and there is no better way to flaunt these curves than to rock a sexy swimsuit. Look out for these styles for your curvaceous body:
DO
- Because you have a well-balanced body type, you can choose swimwear that accentuates your curves. Go for something that highlights the part of your body you want to flaunt. It can be your waist, bust, or hips.
- Colour blocked swimsuits look best on women with this body type.
- Also, monochrome one-piece swimsuits are an ideal choice for women with an hourglass figure.
DON’T
- Don’t wear bikini tops with boy shorts as they make women with this body type look heavier around the hips.
- Another design to avoid is bottoms with frills and ruffles as they add the illusion of extra weight around the butt.
POPxo Recommends: Pretty Secrets Multicolor Printed Bond Bikini (Rs 1,699), The Closet Label White Cut Out Swimsuit (Rs 2,500)
Pear Or Triangle Body Shape
Image Credits: https://www.shutterstock.com/
For women with fuller hips and thighs, the aim should be to balance out the bottom and make it appear proportional to their upper body. Here are the dos and don’ts for women with this body type:
DO
- Choose swimwear with details on the top to accentuate your bust. Ruffles and fringe on the top will emphasise your upper body.
- Tops with horizontal stripes or halter necks will shift the attention to your bust, which is what you want to do.
- Swimwear with a plunging neckline and bold prints are also perfect for women with this body type since they add volume to the upper body.
DON’T
- Avoid anything that brings extra attention to your bottom like frills and ruffles.
- Also, don’t go for bikini tops that are too skimpy as they will naturally put more emphasis on the bottom.
POPxo Recommends: Red Overlay Swimsuit (Rs 2,550), Flirtatious Multi Color Striped Beachwear (Rs 4,350)
Apple Shaped Body
Image Credits: https://www.shutterstock.com/
Look for a style that supports your bust and visually separates it from your tummy. If you find difficulty scoring the right piece, a little bit of tailoring would never do you harm. These tips may be helpful in finding something that works best for your body:
DO
- Choose swimsuits that skim over the waist. Optical styles designs are great when it comes to lengthening the torso.
- Anything that emphasises the bust, hips, or waist is a great option.
- Kaftans and sarongs are also recommended for women with this body type.
- You can also go for one-piece swimsuits with prints on the sides.
DON’T
- Don’t try to hide your midsection with any material as you will end up adding bulk to the area.
- Don’t go for strappy bikinis since they may cause spillage problems.
POPxo Recommends: Caprice Paradise Shimmer Padded Swimsuit (Rs 1,595), Shivan and Narresh Beachy Babe Tankini (Rs 3,400)
Rectangle Or Straight Body Type
Image Credits: https://www.shutterstock.com/
The best advantage that women with a rectangle or straight body type have over others is that they don’t have to worry about balancing the proportions of their upper and lower body. But if you want more curves, you can try these styles:
DO
- Choose swimwear with details or embellishments on the top and bottom.
- Take bottoms with high-cuts or ties at the sides to accentuate your butt and hips.
- One-piece swimsuits are great for women with a rectangle body type as they make the waist look more defined.
- Go for prints and bold colours to give a striking appearance to your otherwise straight body.
DON’T
- Do not go for bandeau tops as they may make your chest look wider.
- Don’t wear swimsuits in one colour as they will create a homogeneous effect on your body, that you definitely do not want.
- For the same reason, avoid swimsuits with horizontal and vertical lines on them.
POPxo Recommends: The Closet Label V-neck Mesh Swimsuit (Rs 2,700), Shivan and Narresh Lady In Red Swimsuit (Rs 3,950)
Inverted Triangle Body Type
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Your goal should be to visibly reduce the width of the chest and shoulders and shift the focus to the hips. Women with this type of body need swimwear that gives them a more feminine look. Here’s what you should consider:
DO
- Wear bikinis with a lighter colour bottom to add more volume to your butt.
- Choose bottoms with ruffles and fringes for an illusion of fuller hips.
- Halter tops look good on you because they accentuate your collarbones and the neckline.
DON’T
- Don’t wear swimsuits that have high necklines as you don’t want your bust to look bigger.
- Strapless tops are also not for you as they may not give the much-needed support to your bust.
POPxo Recommends: Pretty Secrets Yellow And Printed Bikini Set (Rs. 1499), The Beach Company Halter Ring Swimsuit (Rs. 7500)
Swimwear For Petite Women
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Bikinis are forgiving when it comes to choosing the right swimwear for petite women. The best swimwear for women with a smaller frame are the ones that make their legs look longer and their overall frame taller. Here are a few ideas for women with this body type:
Look for triangle tops and cropped bikini tops. These give minimum coverage to arms and shoulders and in turn, make your neck look longer.
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
High waist bottoms should be your BFF as they make your legs look longer by making your waistline appear above your natural waistline. Tip: Wear a dark-coloured bottom to camoflage your midsection.
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
One piece swimsuits with high-cut leg designs also create the illusion of length and are perfect for petite women.
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
For a bikini top, choose designs like off-shoulders and ruffled details to draw the attention away from your short legs. Tops with a plunging V-neckline serve the same purpose.
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Other bikini tops that you can consider for a petite body frame are wrap tops and halter tops. Wrap tops are what you need if you have an athletic body frame, and you want to accentuate your curves. Halter tops perfectly add extra inches to the torso and also make the neck look longer.
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Swimwear For Tall Women
Taller girls may feel like there’s swimwear for everyone out there…except them. Well, that’s not the truth. Let’s decode the best styles for women with a long torso and long legs separately.
Long Torso
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
- If you have a long torso, a two-piece swimwear is the best option for you. It breaks down the length of the torso and gives a balanced look to your upper body.
- High waist bottoms are another good option. They create a false waistline and prevent the torso from looking exceptionally long.
- Another way to make your legs look in proportion to your torso is choosing a high-cut bikini bottom.
Long Legs
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
- Go for classic one-piece swimsuits if you have legs longer than the torso.
- Swimsuits with high neck tops look beautiful on women with long legs as they balance out the upper body.
- For bottoms, choose low-cut options as they downplay the legs and add more length to the torso.
- You can also go for boy shorts and swim skirts to lengthen your torso.
Swimwear For Women With Large Bust
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Women on the better-endowed side need only one thing when hitting the pool- something that has more hold than their good ol’ underwire bra. But that doesn’t mean they have to compromise on styles. Check out here what will work best for you:
- Look for halter bikinis as they have sturdier straps than the rest and are also adjustable. Most of them come with a tie-back that makes it easier for you to adjust the strap depending on the amount of support you want.
- If you have an XL top and an M bottom, you don’t need to settle down for a covertly mismatching suit. We suggest buying your sets separately. Most retailers sell tops and bottoms of bikinis separately these days.
- Rather than bandeau tops, choose moulded cups, adjustable straps, and underwire that can offer full support to your DD cups.
Swimwear For Women With Small Bust
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
The good news is that you can wear almost any style without worrying about adding extra support to your bust. Your M.O. should be to create an illusion of volume around your bust. Here are a few styles to consider.
- If you are smaller up top you may want to create an illusion of more cleavage. Bra tops with underwires and padding can give you the look you want.
- Also, ruffles, bold prints, and splashes of colour will help in playing up the bust.
- Triangle tops and swimsuits with a plunging neckline look super adorable on women with a small bust.
- Women with this body type can also go for halter tops and tie-front bikini tops to make their bust look bigger.
Swimwear For Curvy Women
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Remember that confidence is key, but by choosing the right fit for your body type you can get the look you want to achieve. One piece swimsuits shouldn’t be your last resort. You can go for a sexy one-piece with interesting cutouts and other details. Colour blocking is another way to accentuate your body in a one-piece swimsuit.
If you want to stick to the two-piece, go for a high waist bottom and pair it with a bold top. A top with underwire cups will give extra support to your bust. You can also get a high neck tankini if you are worried about a nip-slip. Mixing and matching is another good option as it lets you choose features that best flatter both, the upper and lower body. If arms are your problem area, we suggest trying scuba or surf tops with sleeves and team them with swim shorts or skirts.
Tips For Buying The Best Swimwear
Buying swimwear online comes with its own set of challenges. But it is still better than hurriedly trying them at physical stores with huge queues of shoppers waiting impatiently outside the trial room. If you are planning to buy your bikinis online this year, here are a few tips:
Filter the search results by ‘body type’. In case you do not like the options available, there is still a fair chance that you will get an idea about the right cut, and fit, for your body.
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Before making a purchase don’t forget to check the reviews. Buyers are often brutally honest about their body type and measurements in the reviews section and how the product looks, and feels, on them.
When you are looking for ideas and inspiration on buying swimwear according to your body type do have a quick look on Pinterest and Instagram. You will not only get some brilliant ideas but you can also trace the image to land on the seller’s website.
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Mind the material. Typically, most swimwear you find online are made up of polyester. The material is strong and comfortable and holds it shape for long. It is also resistant to chlorine and sun bleaching that makes it the best option for swimwear.
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Most stores do not offer returns and exchanges on swimwear and lingerie. Do your own research and be 100% sure on what you want before making a purchase.
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
NEVER make a purchase without checking the size charts online. Sizes may vary from brands to brands. If possible double check the actual measurements to be sure about what you are getting.
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
If you are going to try out the swimwear at the store, we suggest wearing your skimpiest panties so that you can focus on the cut of the bottoms while still being hygenic.
Swimwear Trends You Can Make Your Own
Most of us have a comfort zone when it comes to shopping for swimwear. We find one style, one colour, and one brand that we love and stick to it forever. We suggest experimenting with a few runway-inspired styles this season. Check out these hot swimwear trends:
The Athletic Look
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Sportswear-inspired swimsuits in colour blocked options are a must try this season.
Black And White
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Black and white swimwear are no longer boring. More and more brands are coming up with interesting designs to embrace the monochrome pattern and luring us to seek out these styles.
Feminine Details
Swimwear with frills, ruffles, and interesting cuts are taking swimwear styles to the next level.
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Tips To Prevent Wardrobe Malfunction In Swimwear
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
- Swimsuits have a tendency to get bigger when you are in the water. So, make sure you stay true to your size when buying one.
- Silicone inserts are great for tops. They can be applied easily and are also waterproof. If you are worried about the inserts slipping out, you can also consider sewing an old bra on the insides of your swimsuit.
- To prevent a wardrobe malfunction, put hooks and loops wherever necessary. This can be helpful in string bikinis and swimsuits with ties on the hips and bust.
- When buying swimwear for your body type remember that lighter colours make you look bigger and fuller. So shop accordingly.
- Certain swimsuits come with built-in shapewear. Opt for those if your body type demands it.
- Fit is everything. If it is not working for you, simply move on no matter how cute the outfit is.
One Piece Swimsuits VS Two-Piece Sets- Which One Is Better
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
One piece swimsuits are pretty underplayed but they do pretty fine unless you really want to show off your abs. Your choice of swimwear should depend totally on your body type and your taste. One pieces are also great if you are planning to do some serious swimming. However, you may not want to wear a one-piece swimsuit if you are slightly at the midsection or if you have an odd torso length.
Bikinis are a great choice if you are really really comfortable in your body. Also, there are high waist options available for women who are slightly heavy on the scales around the waist but still want to rock the bikini look.
Make A Style Statement With These Cute Cover-Ups
You may need a cover-up not just for its practicality of use but also for its style and design. Grab one of these for an effortlessly chic look and idea beach vibes.
Maxi Style Cover-Ups
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
These are the long cover ups that flutter across your feet and look insanely romantic. You can choose something in lace, sheer, or crochet if you want your swimwear to be visible underneath the cover.
Sarong
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Sarongs are available in styles aplenty. They can be worn either draped around the waist or tied around the neck. For something more appealing, bring the sarong around your back and tie in the center of your top.
Beach Dress
Image Credits: https://www.pexels.com/
Any beach dress can be used as a coverup. The most popular styles are tunics and kaftans, though. They have wide sleeves and are pretty oversized so that you can easily wear them and take them off.
Skirts
We recommend a long flowy maxi skirt. Go for one with slits all the way from your waistline to show off your legs a little.
Helpful wasn’t it? Now, go on and shop to your heart’s content. Winter will be over in no time, and it’ll soon be beach season!
POPxo is now available in six languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Bangla