What are the best swimwear styles for your lovely shape?
Find out the best swimwear styles for the beach this summer, for your beautiful shape.
Here’s the thing, choosing the right swimwear for your shape can be tricky, as this is the item of clothing where you expose most of your body. So, it’s really important you feel confident and comfortable wearing it.
So, read on to find out what are the best swimwear styles for your lovely shape.
Firstly, make sure it’s the right colour tone.
By that I mean one that complements your skin tone, so your swimwear always looks good on you – with or without a suntan.
If you haven’t had your colours analysed yet, it’s a great investment to consider.
As once you understand the colour tones (or seasons) best for you – you will not only shop with confidence, you will create a wardrobe of items all in a matching palette, which means mixing and matching outfits becomes a breeze. Just like you enjoy at the beach!
Here’s a link to my friends at Kettlewell who have published a list of colour consultants across the UK (and beyond) who offer this service. Including me!
Swimwear by shape
As a stylist and body shape expert (did you know I’m the only stylist globally to invest in a 3D body scanner which is available as part of my services)… I know there are SIX primary body shapes.
Three are ‘curved’ shapes and the other three are ‘straight / squarer’ shapes.
In this blog I will share tips of the best styles for each of these primary shapes.
I will also explain how to use the illusion of patterns and colour combinations to bring balance to your shape.
“Wearing the right colour is your first priority. Swiftly followed by choosing the right style which complements your lovely shape.”
Bust size affects your choice of shop
If you have full bust (D cup and above), you must make sure you have good construction in the bras.
I recommend the following brands who cater for the bustier girl:
Bravissimo, Freya, Panache, Primadonna
If you have an average (i.e. B / C cups) to smaller bust (i.e. A cup) you can still shop the same brands above.
However, if you’re seeking less expensive alternatives, typically ideal for pool side holidays (where there’s no wave action or pesky sand), I recommend shopping at:
Swimwear365, Amazon and Cupshe
As well as general retail brands like Next, Joe Browns and Simply Be.
I will be posting great swimwear outfits by primary shape throughout the summer on Instagram and Facebook, so please check out my pages if this sounds of interest and you love some inspiration.
“Sun, surf, and style. …Chasing waves and soaking up the sun in style. Salt in the air, sand in my hair, and a swimsuit I adore. Embrace the bikini life, and let the worries fade away.”
Best Patterns by shape
It’s precisely the same logic for patterns you wear on any garments.
If you’re either Inverted Triangle, Column, Lean Column i.e. a straight / squarer shape you should wear similar angular patterns.
For example – like stars, diamonds, checks, asymmetrics, geometrics, vertical stripes, squares and abstracts.
However, for the curvy body shapes which are Hourglass, Pear and Apple you should wear smoother edged, curvier patterns:
Such as spots, waves, hearts, florals and hoops.
This may all sound like too much detail. However, when you see the difference in your holiday snaps. You’ll be glad you did!
And when your bored sunbathing on the beach, check out the other ladies and their swimwear styles.
See if you can spot who’s got it right?
Colour combinations that balance
For those of you who like to wear bikinis, it’s helpful to understand that the brighter the colour (or pattern) you wear the more it draws the eye.
This also creates an illusion of being bigger than it actually is.
This is particularly important to understand for Inverted Triangle and Pear shapes.
An inverted Triangle will create balance by wearing a bottom half that’s lighter or patterned versus the bikini bra.
The opposite for a Pear, who should wear a lighter / patterned bikini bra with darker bottoms.
Similarly, if you’re a Column, Lean Column, Apple or Hourglass shape – you already have vertical balance.
So keep with the same colours or patterns for both top and bottom.
Column / Lean Column / Inverted Triangle shapes
Inverted Triangles look great in high round necks, asymmetrics, halternecks and U-neck swimwear.
Column shapes look great in square, scoop and V-neck swimwear.
Lean Column shapes look best in square, high round, V-neck and U-neck swimwear.
Pear / Hourglass / Apple shapes
Pear shapes look great in boat, scoop, V-neck and plunge styles. If you choose a bikini, opt for a darker bottom and lighter bra as this creates balance.
Apple shapes look best in high scoop, V-neck swimwear and tankinis.
Cristina Holm
Cristina Holm is on of the Uk’s leading personal stylists. Cristina is based and operates from her studio in Warfield, Berkshire (nr to Bracknell, Ascot, Windsor, Wokingham and Reading).
She serves clients locally and internationally.
Cristin is also the founder of My Secret Stylist, the UK’s best kept clothes shopping secret. For only £35.99 per year, you can find and ‘see in seconds’ clothes which you can buy, which complement your unique shape.
Across all the popular brands. All in one place. For more information go to www.mysecretstylist.co.uk