Best swimwear to suit your body shape this summer

MAKING a splash in swimwear this season need not be as daunting as it seems - you don’t need to have a model’s physique. We’ve found the best bathers for every body shape.

Swimwear for all bodies

MAKING a splash in swimwear this season need not be as daunting as it seems.

And you don’t have to have a model’s physique to turn heads with a huge range of styles available to suit every woman.

The No.1 rule, according to celebrity stylist Lana Wilkinson, is to make sure the swimwear fits you well.

“With bathers you have to treat it like underwear. It has to fit properly,” she says.

That is particularly important for curvy women.

“When it fits well you look thinner,” she says. “If you have a hard-to-fit shape, try buying your tops separate from your bottoms. Often, bikinis that are sold together run in generic sizes. This isn’t very accurate to the way a woman’s body is built. You may have a small bottom but need a large top or vice versa.”

Swimsuits to flatter your shape

Wilkinson says women should embrace their body shape and have fun with their swimwear selections.

“We have this perception of what men find desirable and it’s really far removed with the likes of celebrities like the Kardashians and Scarlett Johansson showing curves are beautiful,” she says.

Stripes, embellishment and colourful prints are key trends for the new season in swimwear.

“We’re going to see a lot of nautical prints and monochrome is really big. Women love to wear black and white,” Wilkinson says.

Swimwear has become a fashion item now with runway trends being translated for poolside fun.

“Sports luxe is a big trend we are going to see impacting swimwear as well. The take on the wetsuit in crop tops and bikini bottoms are also going to be popular,” Wilkinson says.

HOW TO MAKE A SPLASH WITH YOUR SHAPE

Kini Swimwear Aztec twist bandeau $80 and briefs $55. Picture: David Caird.

Small Bust

If you need a boost, opt for a padded top with moulded cups and underwire. To further balance out your shape, pair a bright top with a dark bottom, or opt for a top with lots of frills, details and embellishments. Small busted women can get away with tiny triangle bikinis, cut-outs and plunging necklines. Plunging necklines actually look so much more chic on a smaller chest.

Kini Swimwear nautical halter top $70 and high-waist briefs $73. Picture: David Caird.

Big bust

Your swimsuit should fit as well as a good-fitting bra. The snugger the fit, the more support your breasts have, and the higher they’ll stay. It also helps you to look thinner. Opt for tankinis if you desire the coverage of a one-piece but the customised fit of a two-piece. Tankinis look great on women with short or long torsos. And remember, prints are your best friend.

IYA Tape Piece top $69.95 and Kini Swimwear leopard briefs $55. Picture: David Caird.

Athletic

Athletic, boyish or straight body types should go for feminine styles. Pretty patterns, cut-out styles, frills, bright colours and details will enhance your frame and add curves. Halter-neck styles will balance out wide shoulders while padded tops will boost a small bust.

Kini Swimwear Aztec bralette top $75 and briefs $55. Picture: David Caird.

Pear

Pear-shaped bodies are smaller on top with wider hips. Go for bright tops with plain, dark bottoms to balance out your frame. A top with lots of detail or padding if you have a small bust will also help pear-shaped women look great. Being blessed with a full backside is a great thing - look for frilled, full-coverage bottoms and tops with details that will draw the eye upward.

Kini Swimwear polka dot one piece $255. Picture: David Caird.

Apple

Apples who want to hide their rounder waist should opt for tummy-control swimsuits and tankinis. If you want to wear a bikini, choose a dark top with lots of support and pair them with bright bottoms (fuller bottoms or one with lots of details will also work) to balance out your shape.

Originally published as Best swimwear to suit your body shape this summer