Bits and Pieces: Find Your Match!

The Curveless

So what if you weren’t graced with JLo’s behind, Scarlett Johansson’s boobs, or Beyonce’s hips? If you’ve got an athletic body type, meaning your shoulders, waist, and hips are all the same width, you’ve got lots of choices and many swimsuits can give you the curves you crave. Simple embellishments, like beads, sarongs, ruffles, and belts, which accent your waist, will turn your curveless figure into a shapely one. You’ll be strutting down the boardwalk (summertime’s makeshift runway) in no time.

Here are our swimwear picks for beach babes with an athletic body type:

   1. Metallic cut-out one-piece, $49.50 at Victoria's Secret:

2. Twist-front bandeau bikini, $24 at Newport News

3. Xhilaration® Juniors Solid Monokini Swimsuit, $29.99 at Target

Pear Shaped

If you’re heavier on the bottom, in other words your butt is wider than your shoulders, aim to accentuate your torso and your neckline to draw the eye upwards. Choose a top that’s a lighter color than the bottom, or has some noticeable, standout feature. Halter tops and scoop bottoms are a great option.

If you’ve got a sizable booty or thick thighs, don’t be afraid to show them off! They’re not anything to be ashamed of and in fact, higher-cut bottoms will actually make you look better, not worse. Only resort to skirts and shorts if you’re just not feeling like revealing much.

Check out these budget & figure-friendly swimsuits:

1. Beaded halter one-piece, $29 at Newport News

2. ELLE™ Swim Separates, $40 at Kohl’s

3. Shape fx® All-over Control Crisscross Plunge Swimdress, $54 at Newport News

4. Polka Dot Ruffles Bikini, Top $10.80, bottom $9.80 at Forever 21

5. ASOS Premium Aztec One Shoulder Suit, $54.11 at ASOS

Top Heavy

Maybe you’re a little busty – in a Barbie kind of way – or maybe you’ve just got really wide shoulders and small hips. You’re what they call an “inverted triangle.” Since everyone will naturally look up (at your chest, perhaps), remind them that you’ve got a sexy waistline, too! To do so, go with a high-cut leg, boy shorts, and/or a bottom that has a more vibrant color or busier pattern than the top. All the while, make sure you’re well supported with a swimtop with cups, a halter top or heavy-duty underwire.

These suits are great for top heavy women:

1. Push-up halter top with low-rise bottom, $24 and $14.50 at Victoria’s Secret

2. Womens Halter Swimsuits, $29.50 at Old Navy

3. Shape fx® Bust-enhancing retro-inspired 2-piece swimsuit, $39 at Newport News

Plus Size

There are TONS of awesome plus-size swimwear available these days, and they are affordable AND stylish (no more hideous floral printed muumuus). A few tips – most plus-size sistas think they look “slimmer” by covering themselves up. Not true; high-cut bottoms really are much more flattering. As far as colors and patterns go, look for the “crossover” style (you’ll know it when you see it) and avoid horizontal stripes along the waistline. Also, the more skin you show, the thinner you look, so don’t be afraid to show what your mama gave you (within reason). If you don’t have a standard black one-piece suit yet, that’s a must buy… for any body type, really. When picking out suits, think voluptuous, not matronly.

Plenty of Plus-size Choices:

1. Metallic print bandeau, $32 at Newport News

2. Faded Glory Women’s Plus Tie-Dye Bikini Top, $10 at Walmart and Faded Glory Women’s Plus Tie-Dye Scoop Bottom, $10 at Walmart

3. White Stag – Women’s Plus Shirred Swim Dress, $32 at Walmart

Pregnant

Thankfully, suits are already stretchy to begin with, so really you just need one that’s extra stretchy and can evolve with your growing belly. Don’t just get a suit that’s one size too big – get one designed for a pregnant woman. Otherwise, you’ll have too much room in some areas and/or not enough in others.

Some maternity swimsuit picks:

1. Babydoll Maternity Tankini Swimsuit, $44.98 at Motherhood Maternity

2. Maternity Halter Swimsuits, $25 at Old Navy

3. Keyhole Detail Maternity Tankini Swimsuit, $34.98 at Motherhood

Hourglass

If you’ve got an hourglass figure, first thank your mom. Second, have fun trying on swimsuits. You’re one of the few women out there who can get away with virtually any style.

Some options for curvy girl:

1. Sequin sliding triangle top, $31 and bottom $28 at Victoria’s Secret

2. Xhilaration® Juniors Monokini with Ruffles Swimsuit , $29.99 at Target

3. Ring Bandeau & Button Girl Short, $17.99 and $17.99 at Gap

Tummy Issues

If you’ve got a pouch (and most of us do), there’s no reason to hide underneath a cover-up. Just look for swimsuits with tummy control panels or ruching (gathered fabric) to cover any issues.

1. Shape fx® All-over control convertible tankini, $49 at Newport News

2. Solid Boy Short One-Piece, $39.50 at dELiA’s

3. Merona® Bandeau Shirred One Piece, $34.99 at Target

Petite

As a Petite fashionista’s, your biggest concern is how to find a small swimsuit that doesn’t make you look like an elderly member of the Mickey Mouse Club or a 36-year-old Lolita. Don’t fret. You actually have a ton of options, including checking out the juniors department, and, in a pinch, the children’s department.

Check Out These Picks for Petite Fashionistas: