6 Tips to Find the Best Bathing Suits for Curvy Women

6 Tips To Find the Best Bathing Suits for Curvy Women

When you have a womanly figure, choosing new swimwear can be intimidating. Curvy bodies can be tall, medium-height, petite, small-boned, midsize or full-figured. As experts at Leonisa, we know how stressful it can be when it’s time to start shopping for a new swimsuit. 

Fortunately, swimwear styles are available to flatter every curvy body. The first things to consider when you look for a bathing suit are your body type and personal needs. Will you wear your swimwear on the beach, on a boat or poolside? Do you want a lot of coverage, or do you want to show off your figure?

1. Know Your Body Type

When you are looking for swimwear, the process can feel more challenging than shopping for women’s panties or bras for women. Choosing the right cut, color and fabric will help you feel confident as you embrace the joy of being out in the sun. Knowing a bit about your body type can make finding styles that will flatter your shape easier.

Curvy bodies can have an hourglass, apple, pear or inverted triangle body shape. These shapes are based on whether the fullness is in the hips, bottom, belly, bust or in several of these areas at once. Some bodies may be curvy all over. You may want to accentuate or downplay certain areas of your body, like your chest, stomach or rear end. However you think of your body shape, you’ll want to play up what you feel are your best features, and we’re here to help.

At Leonisa, we offer shaping swimwear that makes you feel great. Here is a breakdown of the different body shapes and what types of bathing suits work best for each.

Hourglass

Hourglass figures are shaped like the letter X, with a narrow waist between equally wide shoulders and hips. These balanced proportions are considered to be classically feminine, and any swimsuit that slims and draws attention to the waist will be flattering. The best swimsuits will accentuate your overall shape. 

A V-neck or scoop-necked tank with a mid- or high-cut leg is a classic cut that will define your figure. Details like belts, ruching, wrapped fronts, lacing and mesh or tulle can make the most of your waist. You should also seek out designs that support and lift your bust. Halter tops and scooped-out backs can look great on this silhouette.

Apple

Apple shapes are curvy all over, with a round torso, broad shoulders and a full bustline. Many apple-shaped women like to celebrate their shape and draw attention to their upper body, face or legs with a suit that has ruffles at the shoulder or a flirty swim skirt. Shirred fabric at the sides of your waist and V-shaping around the torso can help define your silhouette.

Plunging necklines or cutouts above your waistline can keep the focus on your upper body. Compression fabrics that provide tummy control can help you feel sculpted and more confident about your figure. Fitted, wrapped or crisscrossed tops help shape and support your bust while drawing attention to your shoulders, face and décolletage. A plunging neckline can elongate your body while accentuating your curves, and showing some skin with a higher-cut bottom can make your legs look longer.

Pear

A pear-shaped body has ample hips and thighs that complement a comparatively small waist, chest and shoulders. This body shape can look feminine and lovely in a flattering, well-cut bathing suit that emphasizes the lines of your body. Enhancing your bustline can help you feel great about your proportions. Consider a V-neck, sweetheart or crisscrossed neckline that draws attention upward. A bright color, bow detail or lingerie-style top can also draw attention to your bust and your face. At the same time, high-waisted bottoms and flowy skirts can put the focus on your torso.

Although you might want to minimize your lower half, embracing your curves can make your waistline look dainty and highlight your best features. High-cut bottoms paired with a bandeau or ruffled off-the-shoulder top will add fullness to your bust and give you the illusion of hourglass proportions. Prints, ruffles and clever designs can help create a balanced silhouette.

Inverted Triangle

An inverted triangle body shape has broad shoulders and a medium-to-large chest with relatively narrower hips and waist. This shape looks great in a bathing suit that draws attention to your neck or highlights your hips. It can look fantastic in a one-shoulder swimsuit or a supportive halter-neck bathing suit. Feminine prints can soften your shape and bring out your curves. You can also play up your curves by wearing a swim dress.

2. Tone Down Your Trouble Spots

Your body will look its most beautiful when you are happy in your skin. Sometimes it takes a bit of extra support and coverage to help you feel your best. Depending on your shape, wearing swimsuits that feature compression or padding in the chest, buttocks and stomach can help you feel more confident about your figure.

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Ample Bosom

While it’s wonderful to play up your assets, some women prefer more coverage at the bust for the sake of modesty and comfort. Foam cups and padding, elastic underbust bands, adjustable straps and careful sizing go a long way toward providing added support.

A twist-front neckline can minimize your chest, while thick straps can be adjusted to keep everything in place. High necklines can also provide extra coverage.

Large Bottom

The key to flattering a plump rear end is choosing a suit with a well-cut, great-fitting bottom that smooths and sculpts your curves. Whether you pick a full-coverage swimsuit or something cheekier, the fabric should smooth your skin and hug your figure without straining, bunching, riding up or cutting into your body.

Round Tummy

Draped fabric, side ruching, V-shaped seams and a waistline placed at the narrowest part of the torso can all go a long way toward making your stomach look smaller or less obvious. Creating a vertical line and evening out your proportions will help de-emphasize your tummy.

3. Consider Compression Fabrics

Compression fabrics can help sculpt and contour your figure as well as lift and support your curves. Our slimming high-tech fibers can smooth out bumps, provide tummy control and shape your waist.

4. Wear a Color that Compliments You

Bright colors can be great to express your personality, and it’s also wonderful for flattering your figure. A happy color that makes your skin glow will give you an aura of health and well-being. If color isn’t your style, you can’t go wrong with a bathing suit in classic black. Choose a simple, elegant swimsuit with clean lines, or look for details that take your style beyond the ordinary. The most important part is to find a color that not only compliments your personality but makes you feel confident at the same time.

5. Measure Yourself for the Best Fit

To buy swimwear online, you can look at our size charts that provide bust, waist and hip measurements to determine your precise size. Use a measuring tape to find each area’s circumference, and measure your shoulders and the length of your torso. For accuracy, wear undergarments or close-fitting clothing while measuring, or ask someone to measure you as you stand up. Then look at the size guide and product descriptions to gauge the best fit for you.

6. Choose Proper Fit Over Trendiness

Every woman has a unique body, and finding the right swimsuit for your silhouette is key to feeling beautiful. When you’re looking for swimwear, the goal is to find a flattering bathing suit that works for you. The perfect swimsuit is one that brings out the best of you. As you’re shopping, keep in mind that swimwear trends can be fun, but the perfect swimsuit will look like it was made for your body. 

Each season, look at new styles but remember that recognizing good design, quality fabrics and cuts that suit your body will ensure you look great. Look for features specifically designed to enhance your curves, and you’ll be strutting on the sand with perfect confidence.

Discover Your New Favorite Swimsuit at Leonisa

Swimwear can look gorgeous on curvy figures, and styles can be as simple, sophisticated, sporty, or fun as you like. You’ll find details that make you feel special, from deep necklines, feminine frills and lace-up backs to bright florals and sheer mesh cutouts. Our compression fabrics, clever cuts and crossover tops will help you feel comfortable and secure, so you can enjoy your summer to the fullest.

With special textures, draping and a selection of recycled and sustainable fabrics, you’ll be happy to find the latest styles and technological advances at Leonisa. We know that whether your style is bombshell, bohemian or demure, you’ll be able to find a beautiful suit in our collection. As experts, Leonisa wants you to adore your curves and feel fabulous in the water, sun or shade. When you wear our suits, you’ll feel lovely and embraced.