30-04-2025
20 flattering swimsuits for different body types, according to fashion experts
Swimsuits for all body types quick picks
Editor-loved one-piece: Summersalt The Ruffle Oasis
Plunge V-neck one-piece: Andie The Mykonos One-Piece
Polka dot bikini top: Frankie's Bikinis Paradise Halter Bikini Top
Black halter-style bikini top: Moda Minx Curve X Bernadette Afia Triangle Bikini Top There's nothing I love more than being in, on or around the water during the summer. Shopping for a swimsuit, on the other hand? Not so much. While I enjoy flicking through the cute prints, both in-person and online, that's pretty much where the fun ends for me.
Trying to find a bathing suit that's comfortable, supportive and flattering can be challenging and downright frustrating, especially if you don't know how to dress for your body type and you're shopping on a budget. Plus, there's nothing enjoyable about spending more time than you have to in a dressing room or getting stuck with swimwear that's not flattering because you missed the return period (it happens!). Thankfully, knowing what to look for and where to shop can make it easier to find a swimsuit that looks good and makes you feel good, whatever your body type.
To help you find your new go-to swimwear for your lake, pool or beach days, we tapped several fashion experts for their insights on shopping for swimsuits for different body types and their top picks.
According to Nina Vargas, stylist and global business/celebrity strategist, 'If you've got an hourglass figure, the mission is simple. Show off those curves without overcomplicating it.' She recommends looking for high-waisted bottoms, wrap or belted-style swimsuits, since they cinch the waist and tops that feature underwire and molded cups for lifting the bust. If you're not naturally an hourglass figure, Vargas said these recommendations can also be used to help create that illusion.
Sanctuary Beach Goddess Excess Shirr Banded Mio One-Piece
This bandeau-style swimsuit that on-air fashion expert and stylist Dawn Del Russo recommends features figure-flattering ruching, removable straps and removable cups. The underwire-free one-piece also comes in green for those who love the look but want a bit of color.
Alicia Swim Catherine One-Piece Swimsuit
Alicia Swim's sustainability practices, thoughtful designs and matching sets are why stylist and Amour781 co-founder Ashley Full loves the brand. She recommends this stretchy and stylish one-piece, which offers UV protection and is double-lined to provide additional coverage.
Skims Signature Swim Fixed Triangle Bikini Top
Looking for a modern and minimalist option? Vargas recommends this triangle bikini top from Skims.
Frankie's Bikinis Paradise Halter Bikini Top
If you're looking for a swim top you can look cute in while you tan, this halter-style bikini top is a great option. Though Del Russo singled out the trendy polka dot print, the top comes in 12 other colors and patterns, including an equally cute red gingham print.
Frankie's Bikinis Sandy Micro Ruffle Bikini Bottom
As Del Russo noted, the ruffled hems on these leg-lengthening bikini bottoms are perfect for anyone looking to add a bit more coverage to their hip area. Depending on the look you're after, you can also opt for other bottom styles in the same pattern, like the Mercer Swim Skirt. Full recommends tankini-style swimsuits for women with pear-shaped bodies. 'I think they're great for versatility, but specifically for this type of body shape, a colorful ruffle or detailed pattern on top with a solid bottom will draw the eye up, give you an illusion and make you feel more confident,' she said.
Love and Bikinis Azores U-Cut One-Piece Swimsuit
'Don't be fooled by the name, Love and Bikinis offers far more than just bikinis,' Full said. She recommends this U-cut one-piece from the brand, which is perfect for a leisurely day at the pool. 'They use a crinkle material that molds and shapes to your body as a 'one size fits most' with lots of style options,' she said of the brand. 'I also love that it is a female-founded brand!'
Mimi Flamingo Aria Bandini
If you're looking for separates, Del Russo recommends Mimi Flamingo's coordinating swimwear pieces. She singles out this colorful, bandeau-style tankini that features ruching and adjustable and removable halter straps. In addition to being lined at the front, the tankini also has built-in cups.
Luli Fama She's Cute Ring Drawstring Bandeau Top
'Luli Fama screams Miami Beach with the cuts and prints they have,' Del Russo said, adding that this year, it's the details, like this bikini's circular rings, that are taking center stage. We love that the tie strings at the neck and back of this bandeau-style top allow you to adjust the fit while the removable cups allow you to adjust the level of padding.
Summersalt The Ruffle Oasis
I love the adorable ruffled straps on this Summersalt swimsuit, which isn't all that surprising considering my love for dramatic nap dress sleeves. In addition to being comfortable to wear, I found the cut of this swimsuit to be really flattering on my curvier body shape. Though I have yet to see how it holds up in the water, I would definitely recommend this one-piece for relaxed beach or pool days. According to Full, many plus-size women opt for shapewear-type swimsuits, but it's not always the best choice. 'A lot of the time, shapewear pushes everything to the middle, and you'll just feel bloated, uncomfortable and, quite frankly, sometimes it makes you look larger than you are,' she said.
She suggests thinking about the curves you want to highlight and focusing on those. She also recommends keeping your legs in mind. 'I have shorter legs, so I look for a swimsuit that is cut a little bit higher, giving the illusion of longer legs,' she said. Don't be afraid of a little color either! 'Whatever you choose whatever asset you decide to highlight, please, if you are a plus-size woman, don't hide away in a black swimsuit if you want to wear a color,' she said. 'Your size does not mean you are only allowed to wear black.'
La Blanca Underwire Lace Up One-Piece
Full recommends this one-piece from La Blanca, which features tummy control, removable cups and adjustable straps. While we love the resort-ready prints this one-piece is available in, if you're looking for something more understated, the bathing suit also comes in 14 solid colors.
TA3 Brazilian Plungey
Vargas recommends this sculpting one-piece from TA3, which she likens to shapewear, if that's what you're looking for. 'It has an adjustable corset and snatches at the waist,' she said. The bathing suit is made from a compressive material, has adjustable straps and a supportive shelf bra that can support up to an H-cup, making it a great option for those with larger chests.
Andie The Mykonos One-Piece
This textured one-piece from Andie is another one of Full's recommendations. The swimsuit features a plunging V-neckline, a supportive band under the bust area, removable cups, low-cut legs and thick straps. 'For an apple-shaped body, I suggest finding a swimsuit with some sort of detail to highlight the smallest part of your waist, which is typically right under your bust line,' Full said. Highlighting that area, according to the stylist, will help draw attention to the smallest part of the body and create the look of curves.
Montce Full-Coverage High-Rise Bikini Bottom
"Montce Swim has high-waisted bikinis that will make you love putting on your swimsuit," Del Russo said. She singles out these high-rise bottoms, which feature a waistband that contours the body and a ruched back that accentuates your behind.
Speedo Women's V-Neck Hydraline Racerback One-Piece
According to Full, Speedo has "great options for swimmers, sunbathers and active moms who need a little more sun protection.' She singles out this one-piece that has a flattering V-neck and removable cups. We love that it also offers UPF 50+ protection, making it a great option for outdoor water activities, like kayaking. For athletic builds, Kristine Anigwe, stylist and creative director at K.A. Creative Consulting recommends looking for belted one-pieces to create more of an hourglass silhouette. She also suggests looking for one-pieces with zipper or mesh detailing to flatter the figure.
Watskin Ryann Bodysuit
If you're looking for something that offers more coverage, this mock-neck bodysuit fits the bill. Like some of the other options on this list, it offers UPF 50+ protection, making it a great choice for a day at the beach. I have it in pink and love how flattering it looks against my skin. Since it doesn't offer much support up top, I'd recommend this for women with smaller chests, or I'd recommend sizing up and pairing it with a bikini top.
Becca Color Play One-Piece Plunge
This Becca one-piece is a favorite of health, fitness and food editor Tobey Grumet Segal. 'I've been slowly transitioning to more one-pieces every trip around the sun I make, and this adorable, comfy and still sexy suit from Becca is an excellent compromise to the bikinis I still love,' Segal said. In addition to liking its supportive shelf bra, adjustable straps and tie-back, she loves that it features flattering crochet insets. For petite women, Anigwe recommends looking for a V-cut, halter-style two-piece in an animal print to shift the focus away from stature, while accentuating assets. For tall women, on the other hand, she suggests opting for a triangle two-piece that's more minimalist leaning.
Robin Piccone Parker Stripe Rib One-Piece Swimsuit
According to Anigwe, this striped swimsuit is perfect for those who want to enhance their silhouette. 'The collar gives you that posh and preppy style and the golden buttons take the swimsuit to the next level,' she said. She also adds that the one-piece can be worn as a bodysuit, making it a great option for anyone looking to wear their swimsuit beyond the pool.
Etam Triangle Bikini Top
Associate testing writer Carolina Gazal is a fan of this black bikini set from Etam, which she describes as supportive, stylish and comfortable. "I love the flattering triangle shape of the top," she said.
Etam High-Waist Bikini Bottom
These bikini briefs pair perfectly with the triangle bikini top but can also be mixed and matched with other swim tops. It's made from a figure-snatching material and it has a flattering, retro-inspired high-waist cut.
Ark Swimwear Triangle Bikini
'This triangle bikini is great because it is fully lined, made of high-quality fabric and the straps can be easily adjusted, Anigwe said. She also loves that the minimalist and seamless design helps to lengthen the torso, which she says creates a flattering silhouette for taller women. 'When it comes to large busts in our swimsuits, we all want that support or lift,' Full said. 'No one wants to go home at the end of a pool day and feel like their straps have been holding on for dear life!' As Full explained, ensuring your swimsuit is the appropriate length for your torso will help with this, as you won't feel like your swimsuit is being pulled down.
Full also recommends looking for a swim top that resembles a bra and has underwire support, if you love to wear tankinis or bras. She singles out underwear brand, Cuup, which also has a swimwear line. 'You know you are going to have the right comfort that you need if you have a large chest, if the people making your swimsuit have that background!' she said.
Cuup The Scoop Swim
Cuup's bras are loved by several CNN Underscored editors, so you can expect its swim tops are just as supportive. This one features a flattering rounded neckline and flexible underwire that won't poke through the material. The band sizes range from a 30 to a 44 and the cup sizes run up to an H cup, so you can find a proper fit.
Moda Minx Curve X Bernadette Afia Triangle Bikini Top
Black bikinis are a timeless option for a reason. "Black is always very flattering for any body type," Anigwe said. She loves this halter top because it's supportive enough for larger chests and features gold hardware that helps elevate its overall look. 'My number one rule when shopping for a swimsuit is to get something you feel fabulous in,' Full said. Her second recommendation for locking down a swimsuit this summer? Know your torso. 'As someone with a long torso, I find it challenging to shop for a swimsuit,' she said. 'Everything always feels cut a little lower, or if you yank it up, everything rides up a little higher, so know the length of your torso when shopping for a swimsuit so that you can get something that makes you feel comfortable.'
Another factor to take into consideration when shopping is the material. Anigwe recommends opting for a swimsuit that's made from a high-quality material and has a solid lining to ensure it's not see-through.
If you are more mature, wanting more coverage or not into revealing bikinis anymore, the experts have some tips for you too. According to Vargas, 'confidence and comfort should lead the way, but that doesn't mean sacrificing style, and that doesn't just apply to this age group,' she said. If you're looking to elongate your neck, the stylist recommends looking for V-neck swimsuits, while swimsuits with built-in shapewear, mesh panels or ruching are a great option for those wanting a smoother silhouette. And for those wanting a stylish, functional option that provides a little more coverage without looking frumpy, swim dresses or tankinis are great options, according to Vargas.
The following FAQs have been answered by Athena Louca, the director of technical design at QVC.
How do you choose a bathing suit for tummy control?
How do you choose a bathing suit for tummy control?
Louca recommends looking for swimsuits that are made from compression fabrics like spandex and have design details like ruching. 'These elements help smooth and contour the tummy area without sacrificing comfort,' she said. She also suggests looking for swimsuits with dark colors or diagonal patterns, since these can help create a slimming effect.
What style of bathing suit is the most slimming?
What style of bathing suit is the most slimming?
'The most slimming bathing suits combine thoughtful design with smart styling tricks,' Louca said. 'Look for one-pieces with diagonal ruching, deep V-necklines or asymmetrical details that help visually elongate the body.' She also recommends looking for high-waisted bikini bottoms which can help create a slimming effect as well as 'designs that incorporate strategic cutouts and color-blocking.'
Are padded or unpadded push-up swimsuit tops better?
Are padded or unpadded push-up swimsuit tops better?
According to Louca, whether you opt for a padded or unpadded swimsuit top boils down to personal preference and your body type. 'Padded push-up tops add volume and lift, making them a good choice for those with smaller busts or seeking extra shaping,' she said. 'Unpadded styles provide a more natural fit and often offer better comfort for those with larger busts. The key is support; Whatever style you choose, make sure it has secure straps, [a] supportive underwire or band and a fit that makes you feel confident.'
For this article, we consulted the following fashion experts to gain their professional insights.
Kristine Anigwe, stylist and creative director at K.A. Creative Consulting
Dawn Del Russo, TV fashion expert and celebrity and high-profile brand stylist
Ashley Full, stylist and co-founder at Amour781
Athena Louca, director of technical design at QVC
Nina Vargas, stylist and global business/celebrity strategist
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
For this story, associate editor Rachel Dennis interviewed fashion experts who shared their tips on shopping for swimsuits for different body types, along with their recommendations. She also tapped Underscored's team of editors for their favorite swimsuits.
