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What Swimsuit Style Is Best For My Body Type?

Whether you're sunbathing poolside, taking a dip in the ocean, or simply embracing summer with confidence, the key to feeling amazing in swimwear is discovering what flatters your unique shape. This guide breaks down flattering swimsuit styles by body type, helping you identify which designs enhance your silhouette—from curvy figures to more athletic shapes. We also explore fit features, styling techniques, and shape-enhancing swimwear cuts to elevate your comfort and confidence.

Here’s what you’ll get in this article:

The most flattering swimsuit styles for common body types like hourglass, pear, apple, athletic, rectangle, spoon, and round.
Style tips using fit-enhancing features like ruched detailing, plunge necklines, and high-cut bikini bottoms.
How to balance proportions, highlight assets, and add volume where needed.
Direct links to Hanna Banna’s thoughtfully curated swimwear collections so you can shop styles tailored to your shape.

Let’s jump into how to pick the swimwear that loves your body back.

Celebrating Your Shape: Finding Swimwear That Flatters

Every body is unique. Whether you’ve got a defined waist, wide hips, a fuller midsection, or a sculpted athletic frame—your body deserves to be dressed in styles that feel like they were made just for you. Below, we explore which swim styles work best with specific shapes—not to box anyone in, but to open up more choices that accentuate the things you already love about your body.

For the Hourglass Shape

A curvy figure with balanced bust and hips and a well-defined waist is considered the classic hourglass. If this is your shape, your goal isn’t to create curves—it’s to celebrate them.

Recommended Styles:

Plunge tops and underwired swim bras for support and shape.
High-waisted bottoms to highlight the waist and elongate legs.
Matching sets help keep visual balance between bust and hips.

“Balance is your best friend—avoid swimsuits that cut the body in half or add unnecessary bulk.”

Explore our bikini collection for sculpted silhouettes, padded cups, and structured tops that highlight natural curves.

For the Apple Shape

Apple-shaped bodies typically feature a fuller midsection, slender legs, and often a larger bust. The aim here is to draw attention upward and downward—away from the waist—while offering structure where you want it most.

Recommended Styles:

Tankinis with smoothing control panels to shape the torso.
V-necklines or plunge tops to bring the focus to the bust and shoulders.
High-leg cuts to show off shapely legs.

Look for adjustable straps and compression fit in styles that create vertical lines. Our tankini collection offers versatile options that move with your body.

For the Pear Shape

With narrow shoulders, small bust, and wider hips, pear-shaped bodies benefit from swimwear that balances the silhouette by adding volume to the top.

Recommended Styles:

Ruffled halter tops and push-up bikini tops to visually widen the upper body.
Dark, solid swim bottoms to tone down the hips.
Bandeau styles (with structure) can work well to broaden the shoulder line.

Frills, bright prints, and bold necklines shift focus upward. Check out our swim tops collection for playful and supportive designs.

For the Athletic Body (Inverted Triangle)

Athletic figures are often described as having broad shoulders, narrow hips, and less defined waists. The goal here is to create balance by softening the top half and enhancing the hips.

Recommended Styles:

Cut-out swimsuits and curve-enhancing monokinis.
Tie-side bottoms and cheeky cuts to add curves.
Asymmetrical necklines or one-shoulder suits to draw attention diagonally across the body.

Avoid overly plain, dark tops and instead focus on styles that soften the shoulders. Browse our flattering one-piece swimsuits for elegant, figure-friendly options.

For the Rectangle Shape

If your bust, waist, and hips are similar in width, you're likely working with a rectangle or straight body shape. The goal is to create the illusion of curves by choosing styles that add dimension and femininity.

Recommended Styles:

Ruching, frills, and padded cups help add volume and softness.
Opt for triangle bikinis or strapless tops that create visual breaks across the chest.
Tie-side bottoms or classic briefs with frills give definition to the hip area.

Look for sets that use bold patterns, especially around the bust or hips, to emphasize contrast. Our swim bottoms collection offers a variety of curve-enhancing cuts made for more angular frames.

“Structure creates softness—shapes like bandeau or plunge work best when layered with ruching, bold prints, or sculpting seams.”

For the Spoon Shape

A spoon-shaped body features fuller hips and thighs, a smaller bust, and sometimes weight carried lower on the body. The strategy? Draw the eye upward while creating a streamlined lower half.

Recommended Styles:

Off-the-shoulder tops and balconette bras to broaden and lift.
High-waisted bottoms with ruched detailing to smooth the hips.
Solid-colored bottoms paired with printed or embellished tops.

Our swim dresses collection offers a beautiful blend of modesty and movement, perfect for spoon shapes who want coverage with flair.

For the Round Body

Round or oval-shaped figures tend to have extra fullness around the middle, often with narrower hips and slender legs. The most flattering swimwear for this shape focuses on lengthening the torso and highlighting the bust and legs.

Recommended Styles:

Deep V-necklines or wrap-front swimsuits to draw attention upward.
High-leg cuts to elongate and streamline the silhouette.
Sculpting one-piece swimsuits with built-in smoothing panels.

Subtle features like vertical ruching or angled seams help create the illusion of length. Take a peek at our form-enhancing swimwear collection for styles made to flatter every part of you—no compromise required.

Styling Techniques That Make a Difference

Once you've identified styles that suit your body type, a few strategic styling moves can take your look from good to glorious. These techniques aren't about hiding anything—they're about celebrating your features in smart, visual ways.

Try These Shape-Enhancing Moves:

Balance proportions with contrasting tops and bottoms (e.g., solid bottoms with patterned tops for pear shapes).
Elongate legs with high-cut bikini bottoms or V-shaped briefs.
Draw attention upward using off-the-shoulder or embellished tops.
Create curves with ruching, frills, and push-up bikini tops.
Define your waist using belts, color blocking, or sculpting seams.
Add volume strategically with padded cups or draped fabric.

"Remember, it’s not about changing your body—it’s about highlighting your favorite parts with styles that fit you, not just the trend."

Confidence-First Swimwear: It's Not Just About Fit

The most flattering swimsuit isn’t just about your shape—it’s about how you feel when you wear it. Swimwear is more than fabric; it’s a statement of body positivity, freedom, and confidence. Whether you're looking for full support, a little lift, or a lot of stretch, the key is to choose pieces that feel like you.

At Hanna Banna, we design for real bodies, not runway molds. Our focus is on figure-friendly styles, supportive structures, and all-body swimwear solutions that empower women to own their shape, their story, and their summer.

Shopping Tips for Your Unique Shape

Choosing swimwear doesn’t have to feel like trial by dressing room. Here are some shopping insights to help you love the process—and the results.

1. Know Your Priorities

Are you prioritizing bust support? A smoothing midsection? Something active-friendly for water sports? Use these cues to guide your selection.

Explore our one-piece swimsuit collection for full-body support with elegant design features.

2. Try a Mix-and-Match Approach

Bodies aren’t symmetrical—so your swimsuit doesn’t have to be either. Mix sizes, shapes, and cuts between tops and bottoms to get your perfect custom fit.

Start with our curated tankini collection if you’re looking for flexible options that adjust to your torso length or bust coverage.

3. Don’t Be Afraid of Color or Print

Many women gravitate toward black, but print vs. solid color choices can be powerful styling tools. A bright top draws the eye upward, while a solid bottom streamlines the hips. Vertical lines elongate; diagonal lines create movement.

Check out our vibrant options in the swimwear collection to see how color can sculpt just as well as cut.

Hanna Banna's Fit Philosophy: Designed to Empower

We believe every woman deserves confidence-boosting swimwear—whether that means compression fits, padded support, or a breezy bandeau top that lets your shoulders soak in the sun.

Each piece in our collections is built with thoughtful features like:

Smoothing control panels for comfortable shaping.
Adjustable straps to accommodate movement.
Enhancing necklines for flattering bust lines.
Ruched detailing that adds both style and curve-enhancement.

Want to show off a bit more skin? Our bikini collection includes everything from triangle cuts to sculpted balconettes designed to highlight your best features—not hide them.

“Swimwear isn’t about hiding flaws. It’s about revealing freedom.”

Final Thoughts: Your Body, Your Style, Your Swim

So, what swimsuit style is best for your body type? The real answer: the one that makes you feel your most confident. Whether you’re drawn to the architectural beauty of a structured one-piece, the playful flirtiness of a cheeky bikini, or the retro vibe of high-waisted bottoms, it all comes down to how you feel when you step out.

At Hanna Banna, we’re not here to fit you into our swimwear. We design swimwear that fits into your life.

Ready to find your new favorite? Browse our full swimwear collection and start your summer styling journey today.

FAQ: Swimsuit Styles for Every Body

1. How do I know what my body shape is?

To identify your body shape, measure your bust, waist, and hips. Then, compare the ratios:

If bust and hips are about the same with a defined waist → Hourglass
If hips are wider than bust → Pear
If bust is larger than hips → Apple or Inverted Triangle
If all measurements are similar → Rectangle or Round

Looking in a mirror and observing your natural silhouette is also a great guide. Trust your instincts—your shape isn’t a category, it’s a canvas.

2. What if I fall between two body types?

Many women do! For example, you might be a pear/apple hybrid or have hourglass features with athletic shoulders. In these cases, pick styles that support your comfort goals—whether it’s highlighting your waist, elongating your legs, or balancing volume between top and bottom.

3. What swimsuit styles are best for petite body types?

Petite frames benefit from:

High-cut bikini bottoms to visually lengthen legs
Low-coverage tops like triangle or bandeau styles to avoid overwhelming the torso
Monokinis with cut-outs to define curves

Keep prints and straps minimal for a clean, elongating look.

4. What styles work best for tall women?

Tall women can wear most styles confidently but often look especially striking in:

One-piece swimsuits with longline cuts
Tankinis with adjustable lengths
Bold horizontal prints to break up height
Wrap-style tops that define the waistline

Avoid cuts that ride too high or short on the torso unless adjustable.

5. What swimsuits help hide a tummy?

Look for:

Ruched panels or smoothing control fabrics
Dark-colored one-pieces
Tankinis that offer coverage but can be styled loose or fitted
Peplum or flounce tops that float over the midsection

High-waisted bottoms paired with a structured top also provide a flattering shape.

6. What swimsuit top is best for large busts?

Support is everything. Choose:

Underwired tops with full cups
Thick straps (preferably adjustable)
Balconette or plunge tops with shaping seams
Bra-sized swimwear for precise fit

Avoid strapless or unstructured bandeau tops unless they include built-in support systems.

7. What’s the most versatile swimsuit style for all body types?

A classic one-piece with a plunging neckline and ruched side panels is the most universally flattering. It creates vertical lines, defines the waist, elongates the torso, and supports the bust—while offering full coverage and comfort.