Okay, so I’ve always been a bit, shall we say, particular about swimsuits. I mean, who isn’t? Finding one that actually flatters your body type can feel like winning the lottery. So, I decided to really dive in (pun intended!) and figure out this whole swimsuit-body type thing once and for all.
First, I started by doing some good old-fashioned research. I googled stuff like “best swimsuits for apple shape” and “swimsuits for pear shapes,” and so on. Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming at first. There are so many different body types out there!
I decided to simplify things. I focused on the four most common body shapes I kept seeing: apple, pear, hourglass, and athletic/rectangular. I also added the inverted shape since I have some experince of it. Then I looked at what styles were generally recommended for each. Here’s a super basic rundown of what I gathered:
- Apple: Usually means carrying more weight around the middle. The advice was to look for ruching, tummy control panels, and swimsuits that draw attention upwards, like with interesting necklines.
- Pear: Wider hips and thighs, smaller bust. The idea here is to balance things out. Think darker colors on the bottom, brighter colors or patterns on top, and maybe some padding in the bust.
- Hourglass: Balanced bust and hips, with a defined waist. Apparently, the key is to accentuate that waist with things like belts or cutouts.
- Athletic/Rectangular: More straight up and down, less curves. The goal is to create the illusion of curves. Ruffles, bold prints, and high-cut legs were suggested.
- Inverted triangle: Broader shoulders, and smaller bust. It can show your back very well, making you look fit.
Now, this is where the real work began. I decided I needed to see these suggestions in action. I went through my own swimsuit collection (which, let’s be honest, is a bit embarrassing) and tried on everything. I categorized each suit based on whether it seemed to follow the “rules” for my body type (which I’d say is somewhere between an apple and a pear…it’s complicated!).
I took photos (cringe!) and really analyzed how each suit looked. Did the ruching actually do anything? Did the darker bottoms make a difference? It was a slow process, and honestly, a bit humbling. Some of my favorite suits…well, let’s just say they weren’t doing me any favors.
Then I did something drastic: I ordered a few new swimsuits online, specifically choosing styles I wouldn’t normally go for, based on the “rules” I’d learned. I got a high-waisted bikini with a bold print on top (very pear-shaped advice), and a one-piece with some serious ruching and a plunging neckline (apple-shaped all the way).
When they arrived, I tried them on, and…wow. I was actually surprised. The high-waisted bikini did a surprisingly good job of balancing me out. And the one-piece? It actually made me feel kind of…confident? The ruching was strategically placed, and the neckline drew the eye upwards, just like the articles said it would.
My takeaway?
The “rules” aren’t everything, but they’re a good starting point. It’s all about experimenting and finding what makes you feel good. Don’t be afraid to try something new, even if it’s outside your comfort zone. You might just be surprised at what you discover!
