Every woman is shaped differently. Whether you have a larger chest, an area you want to keep covered, or an area you want to enhance, our bodies can be our worst enemies when it comes to buying bathing suits. Because our bodies are different, the choices we make in swimwear will be different, too. Some ladies prefer one piece suits while others like to show more skin in two piece bathing suits. No matter what kind of bathing suit you like, certain cuts and features will suit you best. Here is a guideline to helping you dress your specific body type.

Athletic Frame (Small Bust/Hips):

One Piece:
- Enhance bust area with embellishments, details or uniquely cut necklines
- Color blocking and vertical details balance out shoulders
- Break up the torso with a print on the top and solids on the bottom
- Shirring on the bodice, details on the sides or a one-strap construction create an hourglass figure

Two Piece:
- Enhance bust area with embellishments, details or uniquely cut necklines
- Color blocking and vertical details balance out shoulders
- Break up the torso with a print on the top and solids on the bottom
- Tankinis shorten the upper body
- Shirring on the bodice, details on the sides or a one-strap construction create an hourglass figure
- Smaller bottoms show off rear and legs

Tummy Troubles:

One Piece:
- Solid colors are flattering and create a smooth frame
- Chevron stripes or details at the sides slim down the body
- Ruching flatters the tummy area
- Higher cut leg openings attract attention down
- Embellished bust areas keep attention up
- Shapewear and tummy control suits help flatter and smooth

Two Piece:
- All tankinis offer tummy coverage
- Banded bikinis offer more support
- Ruching on tankinis flatter the tummy area
- Ruffled waistband that sits higher to mask stomach area and higher cut legs
- Higher cut leg openings to draw attention downward
- Embellished bust areas keep attention up
- Shapewear and tummy control suits help flatter and smooth

Pear-shaped:

One Piece:
- Color blocking and vertical details balance out shoulders
- Break up the torso with lighter colors on top
- Asymmetrical cuts, smaller prints, and dark vertical patterns flatter your frame
- Higher cut leg openings to draw attention downward
- Hide any thigh or rear flaws with details on the hip area and skirted bottoms
- Side cutouts at midsection sculpt your body
- Blouson tops hide the mid-section
- Diagonal lines point out the waist, which is narrowest part of body
- Enhance bust area with embellishments, details or uniquely cut necklines

Two Piece:
- Color blocking and vertical details balance out shoulders
- Break up the torso with lighter colors on top or with a tankini
- Asymmetrical cuts, smaller prints, and dark vertical patterns flatter your frame
- Hide any thigh or rear flaws with details on the hip area and skirted bottoms
- Side cutouts at midsection sculpt your body
- Blouson tops and high-waist bottoms hide the mid-section
- Diagonal lines point out waist which is narrowest part of body
- Enhance bust area with embellishments, details or uniquely cut necklines

Large Chest:

One Piece:
- Strategically place embellishments and deep necklines flatter the bust area
- Structured bust areas to keep things in place (underwire, padded cups, etc.)
- Gathered fabric at the waist creates a flattering division between your chest and hips
- Subtle, tonal prints and shirred a waist to keep the focus off chest
- Swim dresses with straight cut skirt balance the bust and thighs

Two Piece:
- Strategically place embellishments and deep necklines flatter the bust area
- Structured bust areas to keep things in place (underwire, padded cups, etc.)
- Subtle, tonal prints and shirred a waist to keep the focus off chest
- Skirted bottoms with straight cut balances bust and thighs

Curvy/Plus Size:

One Piece:
- Break up the torso with lighter colors on top
- Hide your thighs or rear with a swimdress
- Faux-wrap, draped, and ruched designs taper the waistline
- Allover prints camouflage any trouble spots and vertical lines slenderize figure
- Shapewear fabric helps keep your frame smooth

Two Piece:
- Break up the torso with lighter colors on top
- Hide your thighs or rear with a skirted bottom
- Faux-wrap, draped, and ruched designs taper the waistline
- Allover prints camouflage any trouble spots and vertical lines slenderize figure
- Shapewear fabric helps keep your frame smooth
- Tankinis cover the mid-section
- High-waist bottoms to mask tummy area

No matter what your body shape is, there are dozens of options out there for you to feel your best in when you hit the beach. With plenty of brands taking this summer's trends and applying them to all different cuts and types, you'll be able to stay stylish and to find a suit that flatters your body.

Shop All Bikinis