How To Choose A Swimsuit For Your Body Type

How Do You Measure Yourself For The Best Swimsuit Fit?

To know what bathing suit will best fit your body shape, you first need to understand your body’s unique measurements. Use a measuring tape to measure the following areas:
Your Shoulders
Your Torso
Your Bust
Your Waist
Your Hips 

To get the most accurate measurements, wear your undergarments or form-fitting clothing while measuring these areas. When measuring your shoulders, take your measuring tape and wrap it around the top of both your arms. To get an idea of how to accurately measure your torso, bust, waist, and hips, take a look at our size guide, which will also help you understand what size swimsuit to order from Anne Cole. Once you record your measurements, take a look at the following body shape descriptions to determine which best matches your measurements. 

Pear Body Shape

If you've noticed that your hip measurements are wider than your shoulders, you may have a pear shape body. If you fall into this category, your hip measurements would be at least 5% wider than your shoulder measurements. 

Pear shaped bodies can have:
A curvy lower body
Hips and thighs that are wider than the shoulders
Narrow shoulders or smaller bust

Pear shaped bodies look best in a swimsuit style that:
Flatters your lower body curves
Accentuates your waistline and torso
Highlights your chest or bust

Swimsuit Recommendations:
Pear shaped bodies look best with bathing suit cuts that show off lower body curves instead of hiding them. For example, instead of pairing your bikini with boy shorts, show off your curves by wearing high waisted bikini bottoms. Draw attention to your top by selecting bikinis with underwire or halter support, vibrant patterns, and interesting details, such as this underwire bikini top with a twisted front. One piece swimsuits, tankinis, and swim dresses can also flatter your shape by accentuating your waistline and figure.

II nverter Triangle Body Shape

Inverted triangle body types have wider shoulder and chest measurements in comparison to their hip measurements. In most cases, shoulder and chest measurements are at least 5% wider than hip measurements. The name is derived from the way the body shape forms an upside-down triangle figure.

Inverted triangles may have:
Broader shoulders and chest
A medium or larger bust
Narrow hips and waist

Inverted triangle body shapes look best in swimsuits that:

Draw attention to the neckline
Draw attention to the hips
Bring flair to the bottom half of the body

Swimsuit Recommendations:
If you have an inverted triangle body shape, bring a little flair to your bottom half by trying on a swim dress with a skirted bottom or bring attention to your neckline with this stunning swim dress with a plunging neckline. Eye-catching halter bikini tops can be matched with bold printed foldover bikini bottoms or bikini bottoms with a side tie detail.

Apple Body Shape

Apple body shapes have wider shoulder and chest measurements in proportion to lower hip measurements. Unlike inverted triangle body types (see above), these shapes tend to carry more weight in the body's waist and top half. If your shoulder and chest measurements are at least 5% wider than your hips, and you also carry more weight in the waist, you may have an apple body shape. 

Apple body shapes can have:
Wider or broader shoulders
Less defined waistline
Narrower hips and thighs
Curvy or fuller bust line

Apple shaped bodies look best in swimsuits that:
Accentuate the neckline
Have shirred details at the waistline
Show off the legs

Swimsuit Recommendations:
Apple shape bodies can flatter their figure with plunging necklines that draw attention to their neckline, such as this one piece swimsuit with a plunging neckline. Flattering bandeau tankini tops, as well as bright and colorful tankini tops, will show off your figure and pair nicely with high waisted bottoms or swim skirts.

Athletic Body Shape

Similar to rectangle body shapes, athletic body shapes will have similar or equal measurements in their shoulders and hips. Athletic body types are not as curvy and may also have a straight silhouette like a rectangle body. However, the main difference is that athletic body types have:

Muscular or broad shoulders and arms
Toned waist without curves 
Small to medium-sized bust

Athletic body types look best in swimsuits with: 
Tops with thick bands that show off the shoulders
Bottoms with side details
Bold waist details

Swimsuit Recommendations:

Athletic body types can show off their frame and shoulders with halter tops such as this elegant keyhole halter tankini or this colorful halter neck bikini top with horizontal stripes, which can be paired with a side tie bikini bottom. Bold, asymmetric patterns on this colorblock mesh one piece or this trendy textured halter band one piece will flatter your waist and figure.

Confidence Is Key

Each woman’s body shape is unique, and we recognize that not every woman will fit perfectly into these few shapes (we’re not meant to). Anne Cole understands that the right fit for every body matters, so we encourage our customers to find the right size for their swimsuit using our size guide. Whatever your shape, size, frame, or silhouette, we want you to feel confident in the swimsuit you choose to wear. The most important question to ask yourself when you wear your swimsuit is: “Do I feel beautiful and confident?” The key to finding the perfect swimsuit for your body shape is confidence. What matters is that you embrace your beautiful shape and find a flattering swimsuit that works perfectly for you. Feel confident and feel beautiful!