The Best Swimwear for your body shape

How to choose the perfect swimwear

We want to help you find the best swimwear for your body shape and to feel confident to choose the most flattering swimwear.

Fed up with not finding the perfect fit?

If you feel like the styles that you are choosing aren’t making the best of your body – we can help!

Everyone’s body is unique but understanding your general body type can help you make the best decisions when it comes to shopping for swimwear.

Choosing pieces that compliment your body type and give you that perfect fit is easy when you know how.

Accentuating your best body features will give you that body confidence. Feel and look at your absolute beach body best!

What are the main body shapes?

Here at Moontide we have created the ultimate guides to the five general body shapes:

Apple shapes

Pear shapes

Hourglass figures

Rectangle shapes

Inverted Triangle

Read about the key features for each shape then take a look in the mirror to decide which best describes your body.

There are detailed sections on the best bikini and swimsuit styles, colours and prints, and what things to avoid for each of the five body shapes so that you can choose your swimwear with complete confidence!

Click on the guides below to find out the swimwear styles and colours that will flatter your figure most and showcase your best features.

The Apple body shape

The Pear body shape

The Hourglass body shape

The Rectangle body shape

The Inverted Triangle body shape

Find the most flattering swimwear for your shape, click on each link above to read in depth about body types.

Moontide’s guides will help find the best swimwear for you. The best swimsuits available, with features such as adjustable straps, a plunging neckline, bold prints, ruched swimsuit and the oh so flattering classic twist suit.

The best swimwear for an Apple body shape

What is an Apple body shape?

The Apple body, also referred to as an ‘O’, ‘round’ or ‘oval’, is one of the most common body types. Characterized by a larger top half with narrow hips and slim legs, the Apple shape tends to carry weight around the bust and stomach area.

The trick to choosing the most flattering swimwear for an Apple-shaped body is that it’s all about creating visual balance.

Read on to find out which swimsuit, tankini and bikini styles will suit you best and the key features to look out for to harmonise your beautiful apple body proportions.

Am I an Apple shape?

Apple Body Shape Features

If you’re an Apple shape then you’ll commonly have the following body features

Broad shoulders and back

Generous bust

Less defined waistline

Narrow hips

Small bottom

Slender legs

Rounded profile with the weight carried on the stomach and bust

If this sounds like you, then read on for our top tips for the perfect swimwear for apple shapes.

A Guide to Buying Swimwear for Apple Body Shapes

The Best Swimwear for Apple shaped women

When choosing the right swimwear for your apple body type you need to highlight your best body features and balance your body proportions. With the apple having similar bust, waist, and hip measurements, it’s all about creating more waist definition and focusing the attention on the bustline and those lovely slim legs.

The most flattering swimwear for apple shapes are styles and patterns that play down the tummy and shoulder areas and draw attention to the chest and hips. Any pieces that add definition to your hips and waist will work for you.

What things to avoid as an Apple shape?

Thin straps/Strapless – These will make your shoulders appear wider than they are.

String bikinis – As apples have a larger chest a string bikini will not create that body balance.

Boy Shorts – These will narrow the hips and also shorten the legs.

Colours or prints on the midriff – Avoid colours and prints that draw attention to the tummy. Preferably use plain dark colours in this area unless you are going for a suit with dark solid blocks on the side to give more waist definition.

Waistbands or frills on the tummy – These will make your waist look wider.

Apple shaped body summary

To recap, the most flattering bikinis, tankinis and swimsuits for the apple-shaped body all focus on drawing the eye to your best body features and exaggerating your hips while defining your waist.

Cup-sized, underwired swimwear with wide shoulder straps, scoop or low necklines, tankinis, high waist and wide tie-side bottoms and ruched one-pieces will all work for you.

Go for pieces with built-in tummy control.

In short, use plain, dark colours or calm prints on top and add visual volume at the hips with vibrant colours and patterns below.

You will look stunning.

The Best Swimwear for a Pear body shape

What is a Pear shape?

Pear shapes, also called the Triangle, Pyramid or ‘A’ shape is one of the most feminine body types.

Typically wider on the lower half of the body compared to the top half, the Pear shape has a beautiful curvy bottom, hips and thighs, a smaller bust, narrower shoulders, and a defined waist.

Beyonce is the perfect example of a Pear or Triangle shape.

The trick to looking like a perfect pear in your swimwear is that it’s all about creating balance between the upper and lower body proportions.

Read on to find out which swimsuit and bikini styles will suit your pear shaped body best and the key features to look out for to balance out your proportions and really flatter your body.

Am I a Pear body shape?

If you’re a Pear then you’ll commonly have the following body features.

Curvy bottom with wide hips and thighs

Slender top half with shoulders narrower than the hips

Nicely defined waist

Smaller bust size

If this sounds like your body type then read on for our top tips for the perfect pear shaped body swimwear!

A Guide to Buying Swimwear for Pear Shapes

The Best Swimwear for Pear shaped women

The Pear body looks best with pieces that focus the attention on the upper body to create the visual illusion of a curvier top half and a narrower lower body.

Anything that balances your proportions and enhances the bust area, shows off your gorgeous waist and slims those hips will certainly work for you.

Think eye catching prints over the bust area; feminine details, padded tops, low necklines and frills teamed with plain, dark coloured bottoms and you’ll look and feel amazing!

What things to avoid as a Pear?

Extra material or embellishments on the waistline and hips – Avoid side-tie pants and wide waistbands and keep frills to just the top half of the body to balance out those lovely wide hips and show off your enviable waistline.

High-cut briefs – While lengthening the leg, these will draw attention to your thighs and detract from your slim waist.

Boy-cut pants – Pear shaped women typically have a wider hip and boyleg bikini bottoms do not flatter ladies with wider hips.

Pear shaped body summary

So, in conclusion, go for padded tops, halters and bandeaus with plunging necklines in eye-catching patterns. 

Keep frills and flounces to the upper body. Whether you choose a bikini, one-piece or tankini set, keep to a plain bottom in a darker colour.

Moontide has the solution for pear shapes

Simply look through our collections using the filter options to find the perfect swimsuits and bikinis for you according to the suggestions in the article.

The Best Swimwear for hourglass shapes

What is an Hourglass body shape?

Hourglass body types are classically curvy, feminine, sometimes called an ‘X’ or an ‘8’ shape. Characterised by a well-defined waist and equally proportioned shoulders and hips, you can be a slim or a fuller figured Hourglass – it’s all about the proportions of hip and bust to waist.  A fuller bust, hips and thighs and a curvy bottom are typical hourglass-shaped traits. Often called ‘the perfect body shape’ the hourglass can look fabulous in almost all swimwear styles.

Am I an Hourglass shape?

Hourglass Features

If you’re an hourglass, then you’ll have the following body features.

A feminine and curvy figure

Well-defined waist

Shoulders and hips of roughly equal width

Evenly proportioned fuller bust and hips

Curvy Bottom

Fuller thighs

If this sounds like you, then read on for some great tips to make the most of your beautiful curves.

A Guide to Buying Swimwear for Hourglass body types

The Best Swimwear for the hourglass figure

The hourglass figure looks best in swimwear pieces that highlight and flaunt this lovely curvy body type. Anything that focuses the attention on that slim waist and stunning silhouette will work for you. Opt for two-pieces with plunging necklines, strapless tops and hi-cut bottoms and you’ll look like a retro-chic ‘screen goddess’.

What things to avoid for hourglass figures?

Imbalance – Avoid mixing up colours, patterns and textures and choose matching sets. The trick is to keep your gorgeous figure balanced and in harmony, if you choose a print for the top then follow it through on the bottom and this will keep your shape in proportion.

Uneven detailing – Keeping your silhouette in balance is key. Embellishments such as frills around the bust with simple classic briefs or ties on the hips with a simple triangle top will put your figure out of its perfect proportions making the bust or hips appear wider.

Ruffles around the waist – You have an amazing waistline, avoid any detailing that adds width to your waistline.

Hourglass shaped body summary

Choose plunging V, halter neck, or strapless tops matched with a high waist or classic pant.

For a slim hourglass body, the choice of bottoms is wider.

In swimsuits make the most of your curves in belted, high-legged swimming costumes in vibrant colours or prints.

Finally, avoid imbalance, uneven detailing between the bust and hips and extra volume on the waistline.

The Best Swimwear for a Rectangle body shape

What is a Rectangular body?

The Rectangle body is the most common in the UK.

Also called – an athletic, H, straight and – strangely – a banana, you can look great in most swimsuits and bikini styles.

Nice and slim with narrow hips and a small bust. The rectangle is a beautifully balanced shape.

The trick to looking fantastic and not just great is that it’s all about creating some body curves when choosing your swimwear.

Read on to find out which swimsuit and bikini styles will suit you best and which key features particularly to look out for to define your waist and make your bust and hips appear curvier.

Below are our top tips for the perfect swimwear for you.

Am I a Rectangle body shape?

Rectangle Features

If you’re a rectangle then you’ll have the following body features

Athletic physique

Straight silhouette with few curves

Slim shoulders and hips

Roughly the same hip and shoulder measurements

Small bust and bottom

Little definition on the waist

If this sounds like your body type then read on for some great tips.

A Guide to Buying Swimwear for Rectangle Body Shapes

The Best Swimwear for Rectangle shaped women

The rectangular figure looks best with pieces that create the visual illusion of curves.

Anything that enhances the bust and bottom or makes the waist appear more defined will also work for you.

A mid to high waisted bikini bottom and high cut legs will accentuate your waist.

Athletic shapes may want to add volume to the bust, so padded cups for a gentle shaping effect around the bust will look great.

Think feminine details – padded tops, low necklines, front ties and frills and you’ll look and feel amazing!

 

What things to avoid as a Rectangle?

Bandeau bikini tops – will flatten your chest making you appear more boyish. Remember, it’s all about creating curves.

Square or high necklines – you’re trying to reduce the rectangle shape, not emphasise it.

Thick waistbands

Boy shorts

Vertical stripes

Horizontal stripes – they will widen your waist

Rectangle shape summary

In short, the most flattering bikinis, tankinis and swimsuits all focus on exaggerating your feminine curves.

Padded tops, deep plunging necklines, frills, tie-side bottoms and side cut-out one-pieces will all work for you.

Additionally, add visual volume with vibrant colours and patterns or let your feminine side go wild with floral pastels and flounces. You will look stunning.

 

The Best Swimwear for an Inverted Triangle body shape

What is an Inverted Triangle body?

Also referred to as a ‘V’, ‘cone’, or ‘strawberry’, is the most athletic body types.

Characterized by a larger top half with strong broad shoulders, narrower hips, bottom and long slim legs.

Slim and sporty looking. Swimmers often have this figure, so you’re in great company!

The trick to choosing the most flattering one piece swimsuit for your body is that it’s all about creating visual balance. Read on to find out which swimsuit, tankini and bikini styles will suit you best.

Find which key features to look out for to harmonise your classically athletic body proportions.

Am I an Inverted Triangle body ?

Features

You’ll commonly have the following body features

Athletic build

Shoulders that are wider than your hips or waist

Broad back

Your may have a larger bust

Narrow hips and a small bottom

Toned, minimally defined waist

Long slim legs

If this sounds like your body type then read on for our top tips for the perfect swimwear!

A Guide to Buying Swimwear for Inverted Triangle Body Shapes

The Best Swimwear for the Inverted Triangle body type

The attention is focused on the upper body, therefore, the most flattering swimwear for you are styles and patterns that play down the shoulder area and draw the eye downwards to the waist, hips and those beautiful long legs.

Any pieces that accentuate the natural curves of your hips and bottom and add definition to your waist will also work for you.

At Moontide we have a great choice of tummy control swimsuits to help you feel confident.

 

What swimwear syles should I avoid?

Strapless, Bandeau and Off the Shoulder tops – These styles will draw the eyeline line straight across making your shoulders appear wider than they really are.

Top heavy embellishments – With lovely wide shoulders you don’t need the extra volume that frills and ruffles will add and this will only draw the attention away from your hips.

High Neckline or Thin shoulder straps – Both of these will emphasise the shoulders more and take the focus away from the hips.

Boy shorts – These are not so flattering as they make you look less feminine by slimming your hips.

Bright tops with dark plain bottoms – The focus should be on your hips and bottom. A bright top with dark bottoms will do the reverse centering the attention on the top half and reducing volume on your lower half.

Tiny briefs – They won’t create the volume you need on your bottom.

To summarise, the most flattering bikinis, tankinis and swimsuits will all focus the attention downwards. Exaggerate your hips, and define your waist.

Deep plunging, scoop or asymmetrical necklines, wide straps, padded tops, frills are great.

Wide tie-side bottoms, and side cut-out one-pieces will all work for you.

Additionally, use plain, dark colours or calm prints on the upper body.

Finally, add visual volume at the hips with vibrant colours and patterns below. You will look stunning.

Check out the fantastic range of styles and prints in our latest designer swimwear collection.