How to choose the best style swimwear for your body shape:

With your up-to-date body measurements and size, you will see that these reveal your general proportions and shape. Your body will tend towards being one of the following six types:

Hourglass, Larger Bust, Pear-shaped, Boyish, Diamond, or Apple.

Choose the one you feel most closely matches your proportions and general shape.

Now read the corresponding description below to discover style tips on which types of swimwear will give you the most flattering effects and finish.

The Hourglass

This shape is characterised by a slim, or defined, waist with equal top and bottom halves of the body.

With evenly proportioned curves, you can look good in a wide range of swimwear styles. If you are interested in additional bust support, look for underwire, molded cups, wide straps, and tops that give you extra coverage. Bandeau, or strapless, styles are not usually supportive enough for large busts.

If you have a rounded tummy then clever ruching and swimsuits with control panels are your friends. The latest in Lycra and fabric technology means that they can hold you in beautifully, while still being comfortable. A flattering wrap design will pull you in at just the right places, while wide straps at the shoulders will give you extra support and a delicate pattern can distract the eye from any flaws.

For the best bikini option, keep to print coordinated tops and bottoms. For the ideal tankini, stick to hipster or brief bottoms that are color coordinated with the top. One piece swimsuits will really showcase your waistline and gorgeous curves.

Larger Bust

This silhouette is characterised by broad shoulders, a fuller bust, defined waist, narrow hips, and long legs.

For a top heavy shape, choose from our selection of halter or wider strapped styles to create a visually narrowing effect. For additional bust support, look for underwire, molded cups, wide straps, and tops that give you support and coverage.

Avoid bandeau, or strapless, styles. Skirts, shorts, and girl or boy leg styles are perfect for your shape. Mis-match your bikini or tankini pieces, to draw focus toward your bottom half and create a more proportional look, e.g. pair brightly colored or printed bottoms with solid colored tops.

Take advantage of your narrow bottom by wearing string or side-tie options. Be aware that you will most likely need a larger size on the top than on the bottom. Select one piece styles with empire banded bra structure and wider shoulder straps. Avoid thin, lingerie or ‘spaghetti’ type straps.

If you’re above a C cup or over 45, a properly supportive swimming costume with broader straps is usually a better pick than a bikini, as it will keep you boosted but covered. One with built-in moulded cups or underwiring is also a great idea.

Pear-shaped

This silhouette is characterised by narrow shoulders, a defined waist, wider hips and a well-rounded bottom.

For a bottom heavy silhouette, choose from our selection of halter or lingerie strapped styles to create a gorgeous look. Indulge in bandeau or strapless styles, perfect for your frame. Wear bolder colours, patterns or striking detail up top, as these will draw focus upwards and away from your hips, creating a more proportional look.

If you have a rounded tummy then clever ruching and swimsuits with control panels are your friends. The latest in Lycra and fabric technology means that they can hold you in beautifully, while still being comfortable. 

A colourful or jewelled bikini top, to highlight your bust, with darker or plainer full coverage brief or hipster styles will be more flatttering for you.

You may need to purchase bikini pieces separately, if you need a larger size on the bottom than on the top. Select one piece styles with bandeau, plunging or V-necklines. Avoid girl or boy leg styles, boy shorts, and skirt options.

Boyish

This shape is characterised by equally proportioned bust and hips with little or no discernable waistline.

You may not have an hourglass figure, but with your slender figure and long limbs you can still fake curves! For a straight or flattish silhouette, choose from our selection of embellished, shaped, sweetheart neckline and empire line styles to create a proportioned look.

A strapless bikini will show off your flat stomach and slim shoulders to maximum effect, while fabric ruffles, frills or detailing on your bikini top and bottom will give the illusion of more curves - especially if these details feature on the edge of the bust and around the waistband of a colourful bikini.

Indulge in belts, bows, or cleverly patterned styles and look for twist front, sweetheart, plunging or V-necklines. For the best bikini or tankini options, select halter or wider straps. To add curve appeal, select monokinis, surplice, peplum, tiered, or flounced one piece styles. Avoid solid colored or horizontal stripes.

Diamond

This silhouette is characterised by a small bust, full high tummy with narrow shoulders, and wide hips and thighs.

For this asymmetrical shape, choose from our selection of tummy control swimwear, one piece, tankini, high waisted bottom, and swimdress styles to create a more proportioned look. Indulge in plunging or V-necklines, and styles with empire waist design.

Look for monochrome prints, long vertical lines, color blocking, and light ruching/shirring in the midsection.

If you have a rounded tummy then clever ruching and swimsuits with control panels are your friends. The latest in Lycra and fabric technology means that they can hold you in beautifully, while still being comfortable. 

To create a waistline select surplice or side panel color blocking one piece or tankini tops. Select from classic or high waist brief bottoms to show-off your legs.

For the perfect look, find a style with print at bust and solid/darker coloring beneath. Choose banded bikini tops. Avoid busy all-over prints, neon, pale solids, boy shorts and skirts.