Styling Swimwear
As a London-based personal stylist, I know how good it feels to escape the city for some relaxing fun in the sun. The beach, the sea…….the swimsuit!! Feeling confident and stylish in swimwear doesn’t always come easily to many of us in the UK, as we spend most of the year wrapped in layers. Unwrapping those layers can feel daunting - it’s not my comfort zone.
The key is to find a swimsuit, tankini or bikini is one that is comfortable, fits perfectly and makes you feel great, and the best place to start is by understanding your body shape.
Know your body shape
Women generally fall into one or sometimes two of five common body shapes: hourglass, triangle, oval, rectangle or inverted triangle. You might be an hourglass with a slight lean towards a rectangle if your waist is defined, but not very pronounced. So you could benefit from styling advice for both shapes. Next, consider if there are any areas where you would like extra support. For example, you may need to shop based on your cup size rather than your dress size, or you might want swimwear that offers shaping around the midsection. Once you have a rough idea, you can start to explore what styles will work best for you.
Keep scrolling for tips and inspiration.
hourglass
An hourglass shape is where the shoulders and hips are aligned with a tapered in defined waist. Bust size can vary.
Bikini top styles will depend on bust size, but cup, halter, triangle, and bandeau tops can all work well. High-leg bottoms draw attention to the waist while enhancing natural curves.
Swimsuits with deep V-necklines are especially flattering. Side cut-outs and belted styles also look great, as they accentuate a defined waist.
Bold solid colours look great under busy crochet pieces.
triangle (pear)
Triangle body shapes are defined by narrower shoulders and a smaller bust, with hips that are wider than the top half.
Bikini tops and swimsuits with detailed tops- ruffles, print or a contrast colour - draw attention to the upper body, balancing out the hips. Padded or moulded cups can further help to create balance.
A simple high-leg bikini bottom can help narrow the hips and elongate the legs. If wearing a tie-side style, pull the ties up to sit on the top of the hip.
Opt for detailing and colour blocking on your top half.
oval
An oval-shaped figure typically features a fuller bust, a rounded midsection often with slender legs.
To flatter this shape, choose bikini tops with fuller coverage and under-wiring. High-waisted bikini bottoms are a great choice to help create waist definition and balance proportions.
If wanting more coverage around the midsection, try a tankini or opt for a shaping swimsuit with ruched details to smooth and enhance.
A shorter smock style is super flattering.
rectangle
Rectangular body shapes are characterised by shoulders and hips being aligned, slight or no waist definition and typically a smaller bust.
Triangle bikini tops work especially well for slighter frames. If wanting to add volume to the bust, opt for light padding, or bust details like gathers, pleats, ruffles and a print top/plain bottom. Tie side, high waist and brief styles are all very flattering.
Swimsuits with shaping panels or clever pattern placement can also help define the waist and enhance a straight up straight down silhouette.
Twist details can appear to add volume to the bust.
inverted triangle.
Inverted triangle body shapes are characterised by broader shoulders with a narrower waist and hips. Bust size can vary.
Look for halter styles, asymmetric necklines or deep V swimsuits. Wearing a plain colour bikini top with printed bottom draws the eye downward softening the shoulder line.
Bikini bottoms with details like pleats, ruffles, side ties or metal embellishments can help create balance.
Sarongs look great and add volume to your bottom half.
Remember, these tips are just a guide, there are no strict rules when it comes to swimwear. The most important thing is finding something that makes you feel confident, comfortable.
Sizing
Swimsuit sizing can be all over the place so don’t stress if you are a different size in every brand. That’s totally normal. What really matters is how it feels on. You want a swimsuit that stays put, moves with you and feels good on your body. Forget the label and prioritise comfort. Be kind to yourself, as you deserve to feel great.
Personal Styling
If you would like personalised style support be it for a holiday wardrobe or any other aspect of your life and would like to learn, please do get in touch via the button below.
Thank you for reading!
Lisa
