We'll just get this out in the open before diving in: It’s 2024, and we’re all free to choose whatever we want to wear. Picking out swimwear is a trickier task because the fit is crucial to feeling confident—and that’s the only thing that matters when acing your sea (or poolside!) style game, anyway.
Ahead, we’ve listed down different body types and tips to keep in mind when shopping for swimsuits that flatter one's figure. The idea is to visually complement your shape and hug your curves in all the right places so you can feel truly confident!
LOOK: The Best Swimsuit Cuts, According to Body Type
Pear (Triangle)
Characteristics: Shoulders and bust are narrower than your hips, with a defined waistline
The pear shape (or triangle) body type is bottom-heavy. Play up the curves of your full hips and highlight your waist, by wearing high-cut bottoms. Clean-skirted bottoms with hemlines that fall a few inches below the hips will also flatter your figure.
Ikaika Bottom (Onyx), P1,650, NEKID SWIMWEAR, nekidswimwear.com
Spoon
Characteristics: Similar to the pear shape (hips are wider than the upper body, defined waist), but with broader shoulders
Flaunt your trim waistline by wearing low-rise bikini bottoms. As for the top, the classic stringed triangles will best flatter your upper torso and accentuate your overall frame. Not to mention, stringed tops are incredibly versatile too. Not only can you wear it upside down, you can also tie it in front for a bandeau cut, or tie it criss-cross for a halter neckline with a keyhole cut-out.
Candice, P7,000, BOOM SASON, boomsason.com
Rectangle
Characteristics: Shoulders, bust, waist, and hips are about the same width
Bandeau bikini tops and square necklines work well for this figure, especially for those with small busts. If you'd like to create the illusion of a fuller figure, frills, bows, and fun patterns can give you the volume you need. Otherwise, the more minimalist triangle bikinis, deep necklines, and sporty cuts will also look great on your bod.
Aloha Bikini, P1,999, OCEAN ESSENTIALS, oceanessentials.com.ph
Hourglass
Characteristics: Bust and hips are nearly the same width, with a defined waist
Those with hourglass figures have natural curves on top and below. These women can get away with wearing any swimwear style to highlight that figure 8 bod. That said, classic triangle bikini tops, high waistlines, and maillots with cut-outs can really accentuate the assets of this body type.
Diamond One-Piece, P2,850, HELEN PIECE, helenpiece.com
Apple (Inverted Triangle)
Characteristics: Shoulders and bust are wider than the hips
Underwire tops that offer full support are your best bet, since this body type is is more full on top. This frame can also totally pull off bikini bottoms that sit right by the hips and/or cut high at the legs and back. If you want to add more dimension to your hip area, though, you can opt for pieces with ruched details and frills.
Ellen Underwire, P850, SEW LOCAL, sewlocalph.com
Round or Oval
Characteristics: Large bust, full midsection, narrow hips
The round or oval body type is essentially a fuller version of the rectangle one. Embrace your figure and highlight those curves by going for plunging necklines, printed bikinis, or by cinching the waist with belts or wraparound skirts.
Cynthia Triangle Top, P3,400, BLACKBOUGH SWIM, blackboughswim.ph
Celeste Frilled Skort, P2,600, BLACKBOUGH SWIM, blackboughswim.ph
Diamond
Characteristics: Hips are wider than shoulders and bust, full midsection
Since this body type is bottom-heavy, you can flaunt your assets by wearing high-waisted bikini bottoms. Wearing backless one-piece swimsuits can also draw attention to the hips and your backside—especially when there are elaborate details like ruffles and bows!
Jade Bottom, P1,300, HELEN PIECE, helenpiece.com
Athletic
Characteristics: Similar to a rectangle body type but with a slightly more defined waist
This body type is top-heavy, so you could play up that area and flaunt those lean shoulders and arms with scoop neck tops, halter necklines, racerback styles, and simple bandeaus.
Thea Scoop Neck Top in Sugar Jacquard, P1,275, BLACKBOUGH SWIM, blackboughswim.ph
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