PEAR SHAPE
The pear body shape has slender shoulders, a well-defined waist and the hips are larger than the bust. Because your lower body is larger than your upper body, the key is to balance your figure visually by emphasizing your top half and drawing attention away from your bottom part.
For your body shape:
– The bandeau top. With cups, prints, fringes, ruffles, anything that enhances the bust. Push-up bras are ideal for small busts. Larger bust will look great in underwired balconette bikini top with straight and wider shoulder straps.
– Bottoms: Plain colours are the best. Choose ones with not too much covering as you want to avoid a bulky look. A simple bikini bottom without side knots on the hips, not too narrow or large at the sides.
– One-piece swimsuits with cup-shaped bust. You can also choose something that is embellished with frills and details on the top part.
INVERTED TRIANGLE SHAPE
This shape is sometimes also called the V-shape. The shoulders are broader than the hips. Your figure is athletic, a bit masculine, often seen in models with a small bust and bottom. The swimsuit that will suit you best will make your figure look more feminine.
For your body shape:
– A triangle top to emphasize your neckline, with or without underwire or padding according to the size of your bust, and with thin straps tied at the neck.
– Bottoms: Shorts, larger side bikini bottoms, side-tied models, patterns, pompons, fringes, frills, tassels, vertical stripes. Choose a swim wear that adds volume and draws attention to your lower body.
– If you prefer a one-piece swimsuit, choose an asymmetric design such as a one-shoulder, or a plunging neckline with straps that tie up at the neck.
RECTANGLE SHAPE
In the rectangular body shape, your shoulders and hips are equally wide and your waist has little or no definition. Your figure is rather straight with few curves, giving you an androgynous look. The key is to choose a swimsuit that defines your waist and adds fullness to your upper and lower body.
For your body shape:
– Top: A triangle top to balance square shoulders. Try padded or non-padded bikini bra, simple or halter-neck, push-up, or accessorized with fringes, frills, tassels. Geometric, tropical, floral, and spotty prints enhance the bust.
– Bottoms: Choose anything that gives fullness to your curves such as frilly edges, side-knots or belts on bikini bottoms. Graphic prints and eye-catching patterns are also a good choice.
– One-piece deep-cut swimming costume with fairly low neckline or which plays on prints. Monokinis with side cuts are suitable to give your waist some definition.
APPLE SHAPE
This body shape has full curves, rounded tummy, bottom and hips, a generous cleavage and a waist with little definition. You have a voluptuous figure. Your swimming costume should emphasize your cleavage, optically define your waist and draw attention away from your tummy.
For your body shape:
– Top: Underwired balconette bra top that both supports and enhances your cleavage. Avoid anything too flashy.
– Bottoms: Full or turn-down bikini bottoms that you can fold over as much or as little as you like to hide a little tummy. The high waisted bottoms are waist-defining and look trendy.
– The one-piece swimsuit is often a choice for the apple body type. Choose an underwired model and prints in matching shades.
HOURGLASS SHAPE
The hourglass body shape has shoulders and hips aligned and a well-defined waist. This is a very feminine body type. You have a slender and well-proportioned figure that enables you to wear what you like.
For your body shape:
– Top: Triangle, bandeau, balconette, all looks good on you. You can try prints, fringes, fluorescent colors and so on.
– Bottoms: High leg and Brazilian cut bikini bottoms, low-waisted scrunch, side-knots and very thin sides will accentuate your figure.
– Monokinis and one-piece swimsuits that play with sheer and textured fabrics.
FIGURE 8
The figure 8 type body shape has shoulders and hips aligned and a well-defined waist, but as opposed to the X-type body, you have a curvier figure with a rounded bust and hips. Your figure is well-proportioned with lovely feminine curves.
For your body shape:
– Top: An underwired balconette or halter-neck top to provide support and accentuate your attributes. You can choose printed or plain.
– Bottoms: Enhance your figure with bikini bottoms, whether high leg or not, low-waisted and without knots at the hips. Also recommended are high-waisted bottoms that will embrace your curves and accentuate your slim waist.
– One-piece swimsuits or monokinis with underwire and a V-neckline.
