Summer is just around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll be wearing to the beach or pool. For many women, this means choosing the perfect bikini. But with so many styles, colors, and designs available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to choose the perfect bikini for your body type, personal style, and summer plans.
Know Your Body Type
The first step in choosing the perfect bikini is to know your body type. Every woman’s body is unique, and different styles of bikinis will flatter different shapes. Here’s a breakdown of the most common body types and the bikinis that are most flattering for each:
Pear-shaped: If your hips are wider than your shoulders, you have a pear-shaped body. Bikinis with high-cut bottoms and triangle tops can balance out your proportions and draw attention to your upper body.
Hourglass: If your waist is narrow and your hips and shoulders are the same width, you have an hourglass figure. You can wear just about any style of bikini, but high-waisted bottoms and supportive tops will emphasize your curves.
Apple-shaped: If you carry weight around your midsection and have a larger bust, you have an apple-shaped body. Bikinis with high-waisted bottoms and bandeau tops will flatter your figure and draw attention away from your midsection.
Athletic: If you have a straight, athletic build, you can create curves with bikinis that have ruffles, frills, or cutouts. High-cut bottoms can also elongate your legs and create the illusion of a more hourglass shape.
Choose the Right Style
Once you know your body type, you can start thinking about which styles of bikinis will look best on you. Here are some of the most popular bikini styles and the body types they’re best suited for:
Triangle bikinis: These classic bikinis have triangle-shaped cups and thin straps that tie behind the neck and back. They’re best suited for women with smaller busts and narrow shoulders.
Halter bikinis: Halter bikinis have straps that tie behind the neck and a band that ties around the back. They’re great for women with larger busts because they provide more support than triangle bikinis.
Bandeau bikinis: Bandeau bikinis have a strapless top that stretches across the bust. They’re best suited for women with smaller busts because they don’t provide as much support as other styles.
High-waisted bikinis: High-waisted bikinis have bottoms that sit at or above the navel. They’re great for women with apple-shaped bodies because they provide more coverage around the midsection.
Brazilian bikinis: Brazilian bikinis have skimpy bottoms that show off a lot of skin. They’re best suited for women with athletic builds who want to emphasize their curves.
Consider Your Comfort Level
Of course, choosing the perfect bikini isn’t just about how it looks on your body. It’s also important to consider your comfort level. After all, you don’t want to spend your entire beach day adjusting your bikini or feeling self-conscious.