We’re not telling you anything you don’t already know, but getting a good swimsuit? That can be hard. With so many cuts and colors, the different ways styles fit and flatter different bodies, it’s a wonder any of us ever manage to find something we like. Having trouble with that yourself? We’ve got a few tips and tricks up our sleeves that should be able to help! Read along for a complete guide on how to finally find the right swimsuit for you.
Consider body type and what you want to emphasize.
One of the first things that immediately draws people’s eyes when swimsuit shopping is color and print － and yeah, those things matter. But the reality is that what your swimsuit emphasizes (or alternatively, de-emphasizes) is what’s really the biggest determining factor of how it looks on you. So, to find your ideal swimsuit, focus first on what you want to accentuate or camouflage!
Looking to disguise your midsection?
Adding emphasis to your hips will change the appearance of your proportions and make your stomach seem smaller. For women (particularly if you’re plus-size) or those who like more feminine fits, some good ways to achieve this include wearing higher-waisted bottoms, choosing dark colors/patterns, and opting for designs that utilize ruching or paneling. Plunging necklines or halter tops are also good swimwear styles, as they’re some of the most flattering swimsuit styles around for a myriad of body types.
Guys or others who just don’t like more feminine swimwear, not to worry. Swimwear styles for men can surprisingly be a bit less forgiving since many involve being shirtless, but you don’t have to simply stay self-conscious about your middle. You can disguise it similarly by wearing beachy, oversized button-downs, avoiding brief/bikini-style swimwear, and opting for higher-rise bottoms. Dark-colored rashguards/shirts and large, loud prints would also go a long way here.
Now, while making the midsection appear smaller is a major item on most folks’ swimsuit fit list, there are still lots of different areas you may want to draw attention to or away from. And that’s okay! It’s not an exhaustive list, but here are a few suggestions for how to achieve some other swimsuit goals you may have:
- To balance out wider hips:
Emphasize upper body curves with padded cups and interesting necklines. Stick to solid bottoms to elongate the legs, and add a flowy cover-up. The same button-up trick as above also works well for people of any gender.
- To minimize wider shoulders:
Wear plain tops and interesting bottoms to draw the eye. Choose supportive tops to shape the chest/bust, and try bottoms like swim skirts or trunks that can add volume to your lower half.
- To broaden the shoulders:
Take the advice from above and invert it －patterned or bright tops and dark slimming bottoms are your friend. Add some volume to your top half with button-downs or swim shirts, and ensure anything you wear has a shoulder seam that ends in line with your actual shoulders, not below them!
- To enhance hourglass figure:
Opt for matching sets to support proportions and go with high-waisted bottoms or a one-piece with cutouts to help cinch the waist. Choose bold details like ruffles or ruching to add volume where you want it.
- To add height:
Pick swim bottoms that are curved higher at the hip or shorter-inseam shorts with a mid-rise. Monochromatic sets or beachwear can help as well, providing an uninterrupted line for the eye thus visually lengthening the body!
Factor in comfort and activity level.
Listen, we love a well-designed fit as much as you probably do. Yet, aesthetics only go so far － at least if you plan to do more than splash around in the pool for a few minutes. And some swimsuits are definitely more conducive to actual swimming or activity than others.
For instance: bikinis, bandeaus? Those can be great options, but they’re ones more for lounging or taking a quick dip, as they’re also often less secure and can shift around a lot. Baggy trunks or long board shorts? They may cover you up far more, but their excess fabric frequently results in the same problems nonetheless. These problems don’t show up when you’re not super active, though. In fact, they are actually rather comfy then.
Meanwhile, rashguards, jammers, basic one-pieces, and similar styles are ideal for sports or long swims. Their coverage and fabric composition offer more protection from the sun, are more fitted and flex well with your body movements, and offer the support you need for water sports. Just relaxing, however? You’re better off looking elsewhere. It all just depends on what you want to do in the water and for how long.
Decide how much skin to show.
One of the most important considerations when picking a swimsuit style is not just what attributes you want to highlight but how much you want left exposed to sunlight. This is incredibly individual. Some people want a lot of skin to show, some almost none at all, and others fall somewhere in the middle. There is no one “right” answer here besides what feels best to you.
However, it’s important to figure out what does feel best since this is a helpful guide for finding the right swimwear for you. After all, those who want as much skin showing as possible and those who want to be well covered won’t find their preferences met in the same swimwear!
Trying to get a tan? Always get too hot out in the sun? Just want to look cute and showcase your body a bit? Lower-coverage swimwear styles will likely be a natural fit. Look into string bikinis, swim briefs, short-inseam trunks, or one-pieces with plunging necklines/cutouts to find something that suits your tastes.
Don’t fret if the above sounds like a swimsuit nightmare. Modesty, sun sensitivity, negative body image, age, pure personal comfort － there are tons of reasons you may want to keep your body more covered up instead. If this is you, consider a one-piece suit, swim dress, swim shorts with a tank top, or some sort of performance wear.
Take where you’re swimming into account.
Most modern swimsuits can be worn just about anywhere, easily transitioning from the pool to the ocean and back again. However, their chlorine resistance can definitely vary, impacting how long they last. This won’t impact occasional swimmers as much, but if you hang around in the water as much as humanly possible, take where you swim most into account prior to buying a bathing suit.
For those who fall into the latter camp and spend most of their time at the pool, suits made from polyester will likely be your best choice. They’re capable of lasting a good 3-4 times longer than lycra when exposed to chlorine-heavy swimming conditions. Certain brands like Tyr or Speedo tend to prioritize chlorine resistance in their swimsuits as well. They’re well worth a look if you don’t know where to start.
Don’t frequent the pool but spend considerable time in saltwater? You’ll want to focus on more durable swimwear, which still causes significant wear and tear over time.
Polyester options will likely work for you, too. But since saltwater often means you’re engaging in water sports or are generally in a less controlled environment, we recommend looking into performance-centric styles and picking brighter/neon colors for easy visibility.
Don’t forget about personal style.
Practicality and fit are absolutely essential, yet we also recognize that fashion is the true end game for many folks. Definitely don’t feel like you have to just throw that to the side. Keep it in mind when choosing your swimsuit and let your personal tastes guide you.
Do you normally like bright swimsuits? Enjoy the basics over something bold? Prefer a bikini even as a mom or older woman? Feel confident in skimpy fits or find the most flattering swimsuit for your body type is something others wouldn’t recommend? Then follow your preferences and instincts!
You’ll be a whole lot happier with your purchase if it feels true to you and your style, regardless of whether it’s ideal for your swim location or is necessarily the textbook definition of the best swimsuit for your body type.
Let’s also not forget that fashion and comfort often work in tandem! It doesn’t matter how physically comfortable something is or how it “should” look on you. If you don’t feel like it suits you or makes you self-conscious, you won’t actually feel good wearing it. Be sure to balance these to get the best results!
Swimsuit shopping can be difficult even for the best shoppers. There are just so many different colors, styles, fits, and materials to choose from, which can be daunting! However, by following our guide and your personal tastes, you can make the process easy and fast and ultimately find the perfect swimsuit for you.
More for You:
Plan on using our guide when you go swimsuit shopping? Followed similar tips before with good results? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to check out our swimwear hub for more great content, coupons, deals, and more!
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