Swimming and sexy at any shape or size: Your ultimate guide to dressing for your body shape this summer

Let’s face it, purchasing bathers can be the most dreaded type of shopping for many women, so knowing which swimmers best flatter your body type is the key to confidence this summer. Find your style here.

Models Nikita Malvaso, Simone Ziada, Gemma Crowe, Erryn Harvey, Alana Egan and Alyssa Boric dust off their togs for summer. Picture: David Caird

With the sun finally peeking out, or at least trying to, so is the time to break out the swimwear.

Unless you are lucky enough to have jetted off for a beach holiday this year, the togs have no doubt spent months tucked in the darkest corner of the closet as we braved the cooler climates.

And dusting them off can be daunting, because let’s face it, purchasing bathers can be the most dreaded type of shopping for many women. The self-critical voice goes full pelt inside of your head, no matter all the self-love and confidence we try to shower on ourselves.

Because finding the right poolside fit is no easy feat, from petite frames, or smaller busts, to curvy body shapes, or those with more or a booty. Buying the right swimwear to flatter your frame can be tricky at best, to downright stressful and frustrating.

Many of us have been indoctrinated with the quintessential Aussie bronzed surfer girl in her bikini strutting on the sand, but in reality all beautiful bodies comes in a range of different shapes and sizes, which change as people move from their 20s into their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and onwards.

Buying the right swimwear to flatter your frame can be tricky, but every woman can look great at the beach. Picture: David Caird

Thankfully swimwear brands are finally catching on that one size doesn’t actually fit all and that every woman can look great on the beach.

Melbourne’s Infamous Swim launched in 2018 after founder Gemma Crowe swimwear brand saw a gap in the market, saying all women deserve swimwear that makes you feel sexy. At the outset Crowe knew she could never compete with a swimwear giant like Seafolly, but by starting out creating a brands for mums has now evolved into something so much more.

“I wanted to create a label for women who want to feel empowered in their swimwear no matter what stage of life. As a woman, this is mission is personal to me,” Crowe said.

“Early on we wanted to make shapes that not all the other brands were just making, that cookie cutter average, whatever that means,” she said.

“We really listened to what customers said, I’ve got bigger boobs and a smaller bottom, or I’ve got a bigger bottom and no boobs. So we really made different pieces to fit different body shapes. That was really the aim and we feel like we are doing it but we just want to get better and better at it. Its about variety and having something for everyone which let’s face it a lot of the other bigger brands just don’t do.”

Swimsuit season - different shapes and size in resort and swimwear showing how to wear the right bathers for your body type from Infamous Swim. Models Nikita Malvaso, Simone Ziada, Gemma Crowe, Erryn Harvey, Alana Egan and Alyssa Boric. Picture: David Caird

So let’s get down to tactics, what works best for what body shape, Crowe said she had some tips for everyone but the main mantra should be to wear your swims with confidence!

“We have a lot of busty ladies and bootys, we do think it is flattering to have a higher cut on the leg. Try and have something that might pulls you in to accentuate your shape. I’m not hourglass, I’m an apple so that works for me,” Crowe said quite literally proving her point as she modelled her own pieces in a Herald Sun photo shoot.

“Don’t be afraid to pull them up for a cheekier fit or wear it lower for more coverage. Have fun with prints and colours and stand out in summer,” she said.

“A confident woman stands out naturally, because there really are no no no’s, as long as you feel confident in the skin you’re in, your inner self will shine.”

Model Alyssa Boric wows in Melbourne’s Infamous Swim bathers. Picture: David Caird

Which bathers should I wear for my body shape?

APPLE SHAPE

Apple-shaped bodies tend to have broader shoulders and hips, a bigger bust and a fuller waist. If this is you, look for high-leg swimsuits to show off your legs, while shirring, or a wrap tie at the waist provides a flattering detail. You can’t go wrong opting for an all-over print, solid colour, colour-blocking design or one with darker side panelling to enhance your shape.

Melbourne’s Infamous Swim founder Gemma Crowe models her own pieces suited to an apple body shape. Picture: David Caird

HOURGLASS

When we say hourglass, imagine an hourglass timer in front of your body. If your shoulders and bust curve in at the waist and back out at the hips, with your hips and shoulders similarly proportioned then you have an hourglass silhouette. One-pieces are a great option since they highlight your natural curves, and this can be taken one step further by picking one with waist detailing like a belt, tie, or cutouts.

Sticking to wider straps, halter-necks, and underwired bandeaux on the top half will ensure you get the bust support you want. A high-waisted bikini bottom or retro two-pieces in matching colours and patterns.

BUSTY

For those blessed with a bigger bust prioritise support above all else and stick to wider straps, an underwire cup and, or adjustable straps.

The triangle or skinny straps are not necessarily your friend and high necklines will give the uni-boob vibe, instead opt for V-shaped neckline of halter tops to flatter your bust and draw the eye line up.

Model Alana Egan opts for a V-shape neckline to flatter her figure. Picture: David Caird

BOOTYLICIOUS

Shrink that brief! The most common mistake women make when swimsuit shopping is to buy a size up to cover their wobbly bits. In fact, the opposite is true. Buy your exact size — or even a size smaller — to create the illusion of looking smaller than you are. Rings or details on the sides also give the illusion of smaller hips and a darker colour bottom with a lighter colour top is another trick to minimise your bottom and bring the focus up.

Model Simone Ziada looks fabulous in her leopard print swimset. Picture: David Caird

CURVY

If you are curvy with a full bust, hips, thighs and bottom choose a swimsuit that highlights your assets while providing enough support and coverage to feel fabulous. Wear bright colours on areas you want to highlight and opt for dark colour on areas you want to detract. Colour blocking is a great way to highlight your shape, while panelling and ruching provide support and the appearance of a flatter tummy. You’d be surprised how a higher cut leg can create a wow factor.

NO CURVES

The main aim is to choose swimwear that will create the illusions of a shapelier feminine figure. Create the appearance of more curves at top and bottom by choosing swimwear with bold prints, horizontal lines, ruffles and embellishments. Accentuate your bust with push up or padded tops. The smaller the swimsuit bottom the fuller and curvier your bottom will appear. Less coverage is best here!

PEAR SHAPE

Try and balance out your proportions by choosing a swimsuit that draws attention to your upper body while getting good coverage for your bottom half.

Model Erryn Harvey rocks an underarm swimsuit. Picture: David Caird

One piece swimsuits or a tankini are the most flattering for the pear shape, opt for a brightly coloured top to accentuate your bust and a solid colour on bottom to minimise your legs. A sexy plunging neckline or off the shoulder will draw the eye upward.

Choosing swimwear that accentuates your body type is your key to confidence this summer. Picture: David Caird

SMALL BUST

Create the illusion of a larger bust and curves with horizontal lines, ruffles, embellished details bows and patterns. A push up or padded top can also help create cleavage. When buying swimwear remember fabric expands when it gets wet. So maybe going down a smaller size.