The Best Swimsuits For Every Body Type — From Monokinis to One-Pieces
When it comes to shopping for that "perfect" swimsuit, it can seem like a daunting challenge to browse every brand and site across the internet. But thankfully, we've done the hard work for you and have rounded up a few of our favorites ahead.
Firstly, you'll want to think about your personal swimsuit requirements. While you want something that's flattering, stylish, and comfortable, you also want one that will make you feel your very best. Most of the time, that comes down to fit, and not all suits are made the same. To help you find a style that you'll be excited to wear on your next vacation, or any time you find yourself relaxing by the water, we enlisted Kalani Miller, swimwear expert and cofounder of Mikoh, for expert recommendations on the year's biggest swimwear trends, along with what shoppers should consider when scoping out the best swimsuit for their body type.
What to Consider When Shopping Out the Best Swimsuit For Your Body Type
For Miller, finding the perfect swimsuit starts with honing in on the exact occasion she's shopping for. "When I'm shopping for a new suit, I always like to think of where I am wearing it the most — is it a girls' trip? A romantic getaway? Or a family vacay with your in-laws? From there, I let it guide what styles and coverage I gravitate to," she explains. As far as finding the best swimsuit for your body type or frame, Miller believes that confidence is key and recommends that shoppers experiment with as many different types of silhouettes and structures as possible. "Make sure to try on lots of different cuts — skimpy, full-coverage, high-waisted. You never know what will look best until you give it a go, and you may be surprised to find a new silhouette can quickly become your favorite," she says.
What Types of Swimsuits Are Trending For 2024?
If you're looking to find a more seasonally relevant style that'll tap into the year's biggest swimwear trends, such as the thongkini, Miller also notes that there are plenty of fun options to play around with this year. "Earthy neutrals, pops of blue, and poppy orange prints are here to stay for summer. This season, we're seeing silhouettes with sleeves and multiuse pieces," she explains.
With all of Miller's expert recommendations in mind, we curated a guide to the perfect swimsuits for every type of frame and build, including the best swimsuits for curvy women, the best one-piece bathing suits, and a variety of other choices that range from sultry bikinis to fun monokinis. Regardless of the piece you're looking for, these styles will surely end up in your shopping cart. Keep reading to glean an expert's dos and don'ts, and browse through our picks for the best swimsuits to stock up on this year.
— Additional reporting by Krista Jones, Hannah Weil-McKinley, and India Yaffe
Swimsuit Dos and Don'ts
Best Swimsuits For Pear Shape
Pear shape: You're curvy at the hips and thighs and smaller on top.
What to look for: The key to the perfect swimsuit is balancing your proportions and getting the coverage you want for your bottom half.
Tips and tricks:
- For a traditional fix, look for a clean-skirted bottom that falls just below the largest part of the upper leg.
- Avoid reaching for a boy short or thick-banded bottom. The extra fabric will only call attention to the lower half of the body.
- A plunging neckline or eye-catching top draws the eye upward, minimizing the bottom.
Best Swimsuits For Pear Shape
Xxtaxn Sexy Thong Monokini ($23-$26)
While bikinis are fun, there's no denying that if you're someone who likes to be active on the beach or swim laps in the water, your ideal swimsuit style is likely a one-piece that can keep you feeling supported and comfortable — just like this cool cutout style from Amazon. The unique silhouette plays into the asymmetrical fashion trend that's already been bubbling up this summer, while the thoughtful cutouts are perfect for pear shapes because they help to balance the look of the body by drawing attention to the waist rather than the legs.
Best Swimsuits For Pear Shape
Andie Swim Tulum One-Piece Swimsuit ($112)
If you're on the hunt for something a bit more sporty that you could wear paddle boarding, surfing, swimming laps, or just hanging out at the pool, this classic one-piece swimsuit is definitely the best swimsuit for you. It's got a racerback style with a lower cut and thigh-high design that aims to elongate the look of legs — meaning it will lengthen the look of your body. Plus, it comes in over a dozen colors, so you can find your perfect shade.
Best Swimsuits For Small Bust
Small bust: Proportionally, you're smaller on top with an A or B cup.
What to look for: A smaller chest requires less support, so you can look for styles with more minimal coverage or embellished detailing, bows, and patterns to create the illusion of a larger chest.
Tips and tricks:
- Triangle tops create the illusion of curves, as do tops with bold prints or embellishments with ruffles.
- Bra tops and padded push-up tops offer extra lift and can create cleavage, as can certain halter tops.
- A smaller bust means you can wear tiny scoop tops, bandeaus, or plunging necklines.
Best Swimsuits For Small Bust
Eomenie Cutout High-Waisted Swimsuit ($36-$37)
The midriff cutout detailing adds a little something extra to this suit, including a subtle lift up top that's perfect for those with smaller busts. We love the timeless plunging style mixed with modern cutouts. Not only is this one of the best one-piece bathing suits you can buy on Amazon, but it can even double as a stylish bodysuit with denim shorts. Plus, according to Miller, the bright pink coloring is on-trend this season.
Best Swimsuits For Small Bust
Skinny Dippers Jelly Beans Cinched One-Piece Swimsuit ($99-$162)
You can never go wrong with a sexy and chic one-piece, and this season, we can't help help but think that this cinched swimsuit is one of the best one-piece bathing suits around. The multilayered look will stand out with its body-hugging silhouette, cool belted detailing, and a plunging neckline that's great for those with small boobs.
Best Swimsuits For Small Bust
Lovewave Campbell Top ($78)
When in doubt, go for a string bikini. We're of the opinion that when beachside, the less fabric, the better — and this sultry set definitely checks all of our boxes. The triangle top is a great addition to your collection of bikinis, and also offers a fun way to try something new. Plus, those with small busts can get away with wearing a little less fabric since you won't need as much support up top.
Best Swimsuits For Large Bust
Large bust: Ample cleavage; you're chesty and require more support up top.
What to look for: If you're more well endowed on top, then support is key. Opt for suits with underwire or molded cups to give your chest the support it needs. Avoid ruffles or embellishments up top if you're hoping to minimize the focus on your chest.
Tips and tricks:
- Bra-style tops with underwire and adjustable straps provide extra bust support. The thicker the strap, the more support.
- Higher backs are also a good choice to help keep your bust comfortable and supported.
- Molded cups provide extra support and are available in many different styles.
- Explore suits marked with sizing like your regular bra, including styles that go above a D, which are constructed to support a larger bust.
Best Swimsuits For Large Bust
Yonique Two Piece High Waisted Bikini Set ($31)
Treat yourself to a bikini that'll make you feel you supported and stylish — just like this tie-front bikini set from Amazon. This top has adjustable straps and a back clasp, so you'll be able to adjust the style's fit as needed. Those with bigger boobs will benefit from having a plunging top with a little extra support.
Best Swimsuits For Large Bust
Swimsuits For All Lattice Plunge One-Piece Swimsuit ($66)
You can never go wrong with a classic one-piece bathing suit, and this plunging one-piece is definitely one of our favorites. While the style offers plenty of coverage, the sheer detailing also add a cute, skin-baring flair to it. Plus, the wide straps offer more support that's great for those with larger busts, and there are even removable bra cups in case you need a little extra room up top.
Best Swimsuits For Large Bust
Andie Swim Amalfi One-Piece ($112)
Sometimes, it can be tough to find a great bathing suit because they typically lack support — especially if you're trying to shop out the best one-piece swimsuits for a woman with larger busts. This versatile one-piece option gets our stamp of approval because it has adjustable straps and removable cups in the bust. We also love that you can choose whether you want a full, medium, or cheeky coverage bottom.
Best Swimsuits For Curvy Shape
Curvy: You're curvy throughout with a full bust, hips, thighs, and butt.
What to look for: For curvy frames, the key is to highlight your curves while providing enough support and coverage. If you're not keen on exaggerating your curves, then steer clear of monokinis or string bikinis with thicker ties, which can accentuate your widest areas.
Tips and tricks:
- Asymmetrical suits draw the eye toward the neckline, highlighting the line from your neck to your collarbone.
- Colorblocking can help highlight your shape, as can retro suits (think high waists and boxy halter tops).
Best Swimsuits For Curvy Shape
Swimsuits For All Beach Babe Triangle Bikini Set ($34)
This triangle bikini set may just be the sexy suit you've been looking for. When it comes to shopping out the best swimsuits for curvy shapes, it's imperative to find styles that'll accentuate your shape while still hugging the body enough that the pieces won't fall down or fit too awkwardly. The top and bottom in this set are both supportive but still flirty, and you'll feel like you can spend a day by the pool or take on the waves.
Best Swimsuits For Curvy Shape
Summersalt Perfect Wrap One-Piece ($95)
The shape on this suit isn't just eye catching — it's totally figure defining, too (making it perfect for curvy girlies, everywhere). We adore the two-tone look, and with the swimwear being available to shop in 15 other shades and patterns, the style definitely lands at the top of our list for being one of the best one-piece bathing suits. If you're looking for a suit that's sexy but still has full coverage on the top and bottom, this is a great choice.
Best Swimsuits For Athletic Shape
Athletic: You're more straight up and down and have fewer curves.
What to look for: Try playing up your curves with styles that flaunt your frame. Suits with less coverage help to create the illusion of a shapelier figure.
Tips and tricks:
- Tops or bottoms with bold prints, ruffles, and embellishments add intrigue and flair and can create the appearance of more curve at the top and bottom.
- Monokinis create fabulous curves, as do one-pieces with slashes or strategically placed cutouts.
- The smaller the swimsuit bottom, the fuller and curvier the derrière appears.
- Tie-side bikini bottoms enhance curves and adjust perfectly to your size.
Best Swimsuits For Athletic Shape
Stone Fox Swim Toast Signature Cut-Out Bikini Top ($60) and Stone Fox Swim Toast Signature High Hip Bikini Bottoms ($60) set
When shopping for the best swimsuits to wear in any kind of climate or for any activity, you want to go for a classic, yet cool cut that'll never go out of style — just like this cheeky set from Free People. The bust-defining cutout adds some shape and dimension up top, which will help to make your athletic frame look more defined up top. It comes in a number of shades, but we love this romantic red coloring.
Best Swimsuits For Athletic Shape
Beach Riot Celine Shine One-Piece ($133-$148)
We can't say no to a skin-baring suit, and this cutout one-piece style is arguably one of the best swimsuits to opt for if you're hoping to glitz up your swimwear collection. It comes in several color options, and features a breezy one-shoulder design that's practical yet still playful. It's got cheeky bottom coverage, and the one-shoulder silhouette is great for people with athletic figures because it'll keep you feeling supported, while still playing up your frame and muscle definition.
Best Swimsuits For Tummy Concealing
Tummy concealing: You're built a little more like an apple shape and carry your weight mostly in your middle.
What to look for: There are a number of one-piece and two-piece suits, like high-waisted or tankini styles, that'll give you extra coverage if you don't like low-cut choices.
Tips and tricks:
- A flattering surplice-wrap silhouette trims the waist with its crossover fabric.
- A retro-inspired, high-waisted suit is always a good choice for more coverage. They're on trend and cover the abdomen.
Best Swimsuits For Tummy Concealing
Summersalt The Ruched Swim Skirt ($65) and Summersalt The Sidestroke One-Piece Swimsuit ($115)
If you want a cute over layer, try a swim skirt that'll sit high enough on the waist to conceal any extra weight on the tummy. This swim skirt is unlined and meant to go over a traditional bikini or one-piece. The bestselling swimwear comes in five colors, so you can easily find something that will pair well with your swimsuit of choice.
Kyley Warren is an award-winning writer, editor, and affiliate strategist with more than four years of experience in the publishing space. She currently works as an assistant editor on POPSUGAR Shopping, where she reviews trending products, monitors commerce trends, develops thoughtful affiliate strategies, and relies on her unique expertise to compile helpful shopping guides for consumers that span a number of verticals — including fashion, home, beauty, and wellness. She previously worked with Entertainment Tonight as a style commerce writer, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.