Traversing the swim section is a lot less intimidating once you know (and embrace) what works best for your shape: There are bikinis, maillots, and more out there to flatter and enhance every body type—and look wildly chic doing it. Here, a head start.
ATHLETIC
Feminine colors and shapes (for example: shades of pink, leopard print, ruching) help take the edge off sportier frames. Also great for this purpose: asymmetric straps, cutouts, and wraparound styles to carve out curves right where you want them.
STELLA MCCARTNEY
PRINTED WRAP TOP goop, $175STELLA MCCARTNEY
PRINTED SIDE-TIE BIKINI goop, $105MIKOH
PAHOA ONE PIECE Mikoh, $218ARAKS
ASYMMETRICAL ONE PIECE Everything But Water, $325CLUBE BOSSA
ONE PIECE PLUNGEEverything But Water, $350ARAKS YANELIS
BIKINI TOP goop, $190ARAKS JAMES
BIKINI BOTTOM goop, $110STELLA MCCARTNEY
NEOPRENE & MESH
ONE-SHOULDER BIKINI TOP goop, $150STELLA MCCARTNEY
NEOPRENE & MESH CLASSIC BIKINI goop, $100
BOOB-CENTRIC
Whether you want full coverage or something a little more revealing, stay-put styles that provide support are your best bet. Beyond the tried-and-true vintage-pinup vibe, sporty tops—or anything with thicker straps—allow for the most movement, while minimizing the chances of a nip-slip. To pull off a skimpier style, opt for halters or crisscross tops.
MELISSA ODABASH SYDNEY
HALTERNECK BIKINI TOP Net-a-Porter, $125MELISSA ODABASH SYDNEY
BIKINI BRIEFS Net-a-Porter, $125PROENZA SCHOULER
LACE BACK MAILLOT Zappos, $350MATTEAU
THE SQUARE SWIMSUIT Matches Fashion, $280STELLA MCCARTNEY
RASHGUARD goop, $245XIRENA BRINKLEY
BIKINI BOTTOM goop, $60MARA HOFFMAN
PRINTEDE BIKINI Net-a-Porter, $255MONKI PLUNGE
CROSS BACK BIKINI TOP ASOS, $24MONKI HIGHWAISTED
BIKINI MONKI, $10
BUTT-CENTRIC
High-waisted bottoms have your back while making the waist look extra narrow. For balance, opt for tops with frills, cutouts, or plunging necklines; when done right (see: Tory Burch’s high-rise bikini), a skirted bottom looks deeply feminine as it sneaks in a little more coverage where it matters most.
TORY BURCH
SOLID RUFFLE TOP Tory Burch, $135TORY BURCH SOLID RUFFLE
SKIRTED BOTTOM Tory Burch, $135MARA HOFFMAN KNOTTED
CUTOUT SWIMSUIT Net-a-Porter, $230JOHANNA ORTIZ MOON LIGHT
PRINTED BIKINI TOP Moda Operandi, $335JOHANNA ORTIZ SHELLY
HIGH RISE BIKINI BOTTOM Moda Operandi, $150ADRIANA DEGREAS SOLID
RUFFLED SWIMSUIT goop, $385J.CREW UNDERWIRE BIKINI TOP
IN ITALIAN MATTE J.Crew, $56J.CREW HIGH-WAISTED BIKINI
BOTTOM IN ITALIAN MATTE J.Crew, $54CALI DREAMING SCUBA
ONE PIECE SWIMSUIT goop, $253
CURVY
Va-va-voom figures are best accommodated by suits that provide ample support without skimping on the sexy: One-pieces offer full coverage and a sleek silhouette, while modern details like mesh panels, waist-cinching ties, cutouts, and plunging necklines help to define your best assets.
MELISSA ODABASH BRUSSELS
D-G UNDERWIRED BIKINI Matches Fashion, $187STELLA MCCARTNEY
SWIMSUIT WITH MESH DETAILgoop, $210LISA MARIE FERNANDEZ
DREE LOUISE MAILLOT goop, $550ADRIANA DEGREAS SOLID
BANDEAU HOT PANTS BIKINI goop, $294MARYSIA
PALM SPRINGS TOP goop, $145MARYSIA
PALM SPRINGS BOTTOM goop, $145ZIMMERMANN DIVINITY
LACE-UP SWIMSUIT Net-a-Porter, $425
PETITE
A smaller bust and bum mean getting away with more adventurous pieces: Tiny tops and bottoms, skimpy string bikinis, bold prints and textures, and dramatic, plunging necklines are all fair game.
MARA HOFFMAN
STRIPED
COTTON-BLEND TERRY
CLOTH BIKINI TOP MyTheresa, $149MARA HOFFMAN STRIPED
COTTON-BLEND BIKINI BOTTOM MyTheresa, $133LISA MARIE FERNANDEZ
YASMIN BIKINIgoop, $325MADE BY DAWN
ANGEL TOP Made by Dawn, $99MADE BY DAWN
ANGEL BOTTOM Made by Dawn, $89MIKOH
HINANO ONE PIECE Mikoh, $218CALI DREAMING
REVERSIBLE STRING TOP goop, $110CALI DREAMING REVERSIBLE
STRING BOTTOM goop, $110ISABEL MARANT, ÉTOILE STARLA
PRINTED BANDEAU BIKINI MyTheresa, $135
Courtesy of the goop.com
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