How To Choose The Right Swimwear For Your Body Shape

Swimsuit season is dreaded by women all over the world. The unflattering changing room mirrors, the images of bikini-bearing supermodels and the bright shop lights that highlight every lump and bump on even the most perfect bodies, have made shopping for swimwear a negative experience for many.

Katherine Hancock, founder and designer of popular swimwear brand Ebony Louise, believes no one should be fearful of heading to the beach, and “every woman can look beautiful and feel great with the right swimwear”. Bodies come in all different shapes and sizes, and with the most suitable swimwear for your body, you can look and feel fabulous at the beach.

Make the most of this summer with Hancock’s top tips on how to choose the right swimwear for your body shape.

1. Pear Shape – Women with pear-shaped bodies exhibit hips significantly wider than both their waist and bust. Draw attention away from a bottom-heavy figure with an empire-line swimsuit or a two-piece with a printed top half and generous block colour bottoms. “This will slim the bottom half of your body and create interest around the top half,” Ms Hancock said.

2. Apple Shape – Women who have apple-shaped bodies will have a waist substantially wider than their hips, and equal to or nearly as wide as their bust. “Skip the skimpy bikini and opt for a flattering one piece,” said Ms Hancock. A one piece swimsuit will balance everything out, especially if it’s a single block colour.

3. Hourglass Shape – An hourglass shape refers to those women that have a waist smaller than both their bust and hips. If you are one of these lucky women, you can pretty much wear anything and it will look flattering! “A sexy bikini will show off and accentuate your curves”.

4. Straight Shape – Straight shaped women have bodies that are essentially the same width from the chest to hips, with minimal curve. It is recommended that women with straight body shapes opt for swimsuits with lots of detail such as pretty patterns, ruffles or ties. “Patterns and added features like ruffles create the illusion of curves,” Ms Hancock said.

Of course, these are only recommendations, and women of all body shapes are encouraged to wear the swimsuit that is most comfortable for them. “Confidence goes a long way – if a woman is confident in her swimwear, she will always look flawless”.

Shop for swimwear in Australia at SurfStitch and THE ICONIC.