Poplin Style Direction | Seattle Personal Stylist for Women Everywhere

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Love Your Body in a Swimsuit

Updated on April 17, 2024

Channel your inner French Girl with this flattering and functional one piece swimsuit. Available in multiple colors and prints, this halter style gives the illusion of an hourglass figure without changing your body. As we always say, don’t change your body, just change your clothes. Available up to size 20/22 in standard and long. This is ideal for a Triangle, Rectangle or Hourglass body shape.

As a personal stylist for women, I have the opportunity to connect with women about body confidence and style. How do you choose pieces when your weight is up… or down? How do you embrace your personal style when you get dressed for work, especially when the appropriate clothes for the environment seem so unappealing? What do you buy when everything feels disappointing, uninspiring or overwhelming?

Yes, loving your body at every size and every age is the goal. And yes, sometimes that can feel very difficult, if not impossible. When pieces aren’t flattering or when we feel uninspired, it’s easy to blame our bodies. But, our bodies aren’t the problem. It’s the clothes.

Don’t change your body, change your clothes.

Entire companies exist simply to provide clothing for our bodies and when those pieces aren’t size inclusive or when they don’t flatter our frames, it can feel like we are the issue, like we need to make some changes. It’s time to reframe the way you view clothing. If you feel like your body is the problem, it’s time to upgrade your wardrobe to flatter your frame and celebrate all of you.

Understanding how to dress your body type is the solution and we can help with that.

For today, let’s start with finding you the ideal swimsuit for your frame. Feeling good about how you look in a swimsuit is a game changer for your vacation and for your life. Let’s do this.

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The Perfect Swimsuit for Your Figure

Triangle

Your shoulders are narrower than your hips, sometimes referred to as Pear Shaped.

Another full coverage option that is sexy and still functional, this swimsuit does it all. Available in tall and standard and up to XXL, this one piece swimsuit is stunning on a Triangle, Rectangle, Hourglass and Inverted Triangle Body Type. And the price is certainly right. I own this one, too!

Another flattering high rise swim suit option, these bottoms are available in standard and plus sizes up to size 3X. High waisted pieces minimize your stomach and work well for a longer torso. They can also balance out broad shoulders. Expect to be pleased when you wear them if you have a Diamond, Triangle, Inverted Triangle or Hourglass Body Type (as long as you aren’t short waisted).

Hourglass

Your shoulders and hips are aligned and your waist is well defined.

If you want full coverage on your bum without sacrificing style, this is a stellar choice. It’s great for a triangle, hourglass and rectangle body type. Plus it’s available in tall sizes and up to XXL. Fun Fact: I own this one.

Regardless of which company makes it, this is one of my favorite swimsuit styles. It’s flattering for nearly ALL body types. It’s fun and sexy and still practical and timeless. It minimizes your stomach, which is often a request from clients and this one happens to be available in multiple colors. Find it up to size XL. I always own at least one of this style.

Inverted Triangle

Your hips are narrower than your shoulders, sometimes referred to as a Swimmer’s body.

Say, “hello” to your new favorite bikini for your Inverted Triangle figure. The white band balances out your frame and the halter shows off your strong shoulders without making them wider. Triangle, Hourglass and Diamond shapes who carry their weight in their stomachs won’t love the white band on bottom. In that case, pair with a different bottom half. But, for the Inverted Triangle, take the win with this stunning and functional suit that celebrates your strong frame.

A solid option for an Inverted Triangle, these printed swim bottoms balance out your muscular shoulders. And you’re not alone. Your Diamond body type and/or Triangle figure will love these high rise swim bottoms. The print minimizes your stomach even more than the solid colors. Rest assured, there are plenty of solids to choose from if that’s your jam. This sturdy option is great for all outdoor water activities and is available up to size XL.

Diamond

Your shoulders and hips are aligned and are narrower than your waist.

Sexy and still functional, this swimsuit is especially flattering for a Triangle shaped figure who carries her weight in her stomach or a Diamond body type. This one is available in a zillion colors, in petite and standard and up to size 3X!

Available to size 14 and in multiple colors, this swimsuit is flattering for nearly ALL body types. Try it with your Hourglass, Inverted Triangle, Triangle, Rectangle and Diamond Body Shapes. If you love showing off your back, this one is a major win.

Rectangle

Your shoulders and hips are aligned and your waist is not well defined, sometimes referred to as straight up and down.

Cut outs in all the right places can flatter your frame and save you time on styling. This one piece comes in multiple colors up to size XL and is sure to take you from poolside to a snorkeling adventure. It flatters the Rectangle, Triangle and Hourglass Body Types.

A Rectangle body type looks best when your clothing (or in this case your swimsuit) gives the illusion that you’re curvier than you actually are. Celebrating your arms, legs and showing off your waist are all avenues toward feeling amazing in your swimsuit. Feminine details are also a big win. Those can be ties, print and/or cut. This string bikini is just right for a rectangle figure and is especially useful for someone with a shorter torso. This also works on an Hourglass Body Type.

Best Swimwear For Large Breasts

Regardless of your body type, finding the proper swimtop for bigger breasts can be challenging. Rest assured, it is not impossible.

Available in a zillion colors and for cup size DD+, this supportive and functional swim top is also sexy and durable. Congratulations. You’ve made it! And, it’s flattering on all, that’s right, ALL body types.

Another timeless option, this one piece swimsuit is just right if you have larger breasts. It works well for cup size DD+ and is available in multiple colors, standard and tall sizes and up to XL. What more could you want? Well, this incredible brand makes swimwear designed for active outdoor activities, so keep this on when heading on your water adventures. It’s flattering for ALL body types. What?! Yup.

Petite Plus Swimwear

So many women are both petite (under 5’4”) and wear sizes that extend beyond 14/16/18. Honestly, as a personal stylist, I’m always on the hunt for more options for these voluptuous beauties who deserve more shopping options. Nordstrom has a filter for petite plus swimwear. Now, it’s up to the brands to give us more options. Until then, I love this pair of bottoms from Nike.

Petite Plus swim bottoms from Nike are available up to size 2XP! They are functional for outdoor water sports and flatter most body types. Get them while you can!

I’ll be honest. I don’t know this brand or website. But, this is by far the most fun and flattering plus size swimsuit that I’ve found. It’s available in multiple colors and is less than $50. So, if you are up for the challenge, try it. You’ll find choices up to size 6X that work well on nearly ALL body types.

Best Option When You Need a Bikini Wax

Personally, I think laser hair removal on your bikini line will without question save you more time and energy than you can imagine. Truly. Check out Groupon. Find a reputable place with a deal and go for it. Also, while we’re here, if you are someone who struggles with razor burn, ingrown hairs or other issues at your bikini line, check with your dermatologist about laser hair removal. You may find that your problems are solved.

Now, if you haven’t quite made it there yet, you’ll want a pair of swim bottoms that take you to the pool whether or not you’ve had a chance to shave your bikini line. Done and done.

Available up to size XL, these swim bottoms are just right when you need a bikini wax or have yet to embark on laser hair removal. Flattering for most body types (except folks with a short torso), you’ll grab these and head off to your next adventure.


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