20 Best Swimsuits for Every Body Type

By Karen Shapiro
June 18, 2015
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Lisa Shin
Not sure which type of swimsuit is most flattering—and will stay put? Hit the water in one of our top picks. Plus: Other summer must-haves.
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Your Best Swim Style

Lisa Shin

We took the guesswork out of swimsuit shopping (yay!). Dive in and find the perfect fit for you. Pair your new bikini or bathing suit with some of these super-stylish essentials to make your sun-soaked adventure that much better.

Find your body type here:

Athletic
Curvy
Pear
Apple

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For athletic: Rash guard

Lisa Shin

You can't go wrong with this classic color combination, and a body-hugging wet suit highlights a trim shape. This graphic Cynthia Rowley number ($295; cynthiarowley.com) gives you instant curves thanks to its creative black-and-white design.

Watch the video: Shape Up for Summer With This Total Body Workout

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For athletic: Cutouts

Lisa Shin

Show off sexy, strong legs with a high-cut brief, like this pairing from L.Space by Monica Wise (top, $73, amazon.com; bottom, $73, amazon.com). Plus, the white outlines give this monochromatic suit a serious edge.

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For athletic: High-waisted

Lisa Shin

Lacy inserts on these Mikoh pieces (top, $138; mikoh.com; bottom, $138, mikoh.com) add a feminine touch to a boyish bod. It's a perfect combination: Show off your shoulders in the fun top and create curves with the high-waisted bottom.

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For athletic: Strappy

Lisa Shin

Bare your sexy back in this super strappy Indah ($158; indahclothing.com) number. Those workouts to tone your back are paying off now, right?

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For athletic: Tribal

Lisa Shin

Flat-chested ladies, rejoice! A little bandeau top like this one from Malia Mills (top, $185, maliamills.com; bottom, $180, maliamills.com) gives A cups a boost.

RELATED: 12 Ways to Fight Frizzy Hair All Summer

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For curvy: Rash guard

Lisa Shin

A funky pattern like the one on this We Are Handsome two piece ($191; wearehandsome.com) camouflages a large bust. Plus, the low-rise bottoms provide just the right touch of sexy so you can show off sculpted legs in style.

RELATED: 15 Biggest Sunscreen Mistakes

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For curvy: Cutouts

Lisa Shin

Keep your bust in check with molded cups. This Flagpole Swim suit ($378; flagpoleswim.com) has fun cutouts under the bust and on the side of the bottom for a flirty look that still provides ample support where you need it most.

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For curvy: High-waisted

Lisa Shin

Full coverage can be sexy! This sculpted top and fun bottom from Tori Praver (top, $121, toripraverswimwear.com; bottom, $121, toripraverswimwear.com) give you support where you need it.

RELATED: The Best Shapewear for Every Body Type

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For curvy: Strappy

Lisa Shin

Multiple shoulder straps on this PilyQ top ($76; bloomingdales.com) add support, while string bottoms ($72; amazon.com) give you the perfect fit for your lower half. Plus, the tropical print will make you feel like you're on vacation—even if you're just in your backyard.

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For curvy: Tribal

Lisa Shin

Curvy? Flaunt your assets in a bold, bright pink. We love this pairing from PilyQ (top, $80, amazon.com; bottom, $56, amazon.com). The strappy design shows off your figure without letting anything slip so you can stay active.

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For pear: Rash guard

Lisa Shin

The decorative top on this PilyQ suit (top, $94, mollybrownswimwear.com; bottom, $70, mollybrownswimwear.com) draws the eye up, and adjustable string sides on the bottom let you fit to your form.

RELATED: The Summer Body Tone-Up Workout

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For pear: Cutouts

Lisa Shin

This subtly sexy one-shoulder suit from O.Y.E. ($350; oyeswimwear.com) plays up your upper half. The small slits keep the look from being boring and add an element of surprise. You've worked hard for awesome arms, so go ahead and flaunt them!

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For pear: High-waisted

Lisa Shin

Splashy vertical stripes like on this Lolli suit (top, $99, ilovelolli.com; bottom, $99, ilovelolli.com) narrow hips. You'll have a sexy hourglass silhouette, plus coverage where you want it most.

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For pear: Strappy

Lisa Shin

Cool webbing brings the focus up top on this Mikoh two-piece (top, $108, amazon.com; bottom, $86, amazon.com). Plus, sturdy sides on the bottom keep everything in place and won't slide down when you're busy paddleboarding or surfing.

RELATED: Sun-Proof Your Skin From A to Z

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For pear: Tribal

Lisa Shin

Strategic slits visually shrink your lower region on this Red Carter suit ($159; amazon.com). A full-coverage bottom means you won't be exposing anything you don't want to (no accidental wedgies here).

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For apple: Rash guard

Lisa Shin

Side seams on this suit from Becca by Rebecca Virtue (top, $92, amazon.com; bottom, $48, amazon.com) slim your sides and create an hourglass figure. A top like this with thicker straps will also give your girls a boost while providing the support you need. What's not to love?

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For apple: Cutouts

Lisa Shin

The piping and color blocking on this Enjoue one-piece ($355; enjoueswimwear.com) make your waist look smaller, and multiple straps help keep your top in place.

RELATED: Fun-in-the-Sun Workout

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For apple: High-waisted

Lisa Shin

Hide belly pooch with a high waist! Try this suit from Malia Mills (top, from $165, maliamills.com; bottom, from $200, maliamills.com). The bright blue color is flattering on everyone, and it's perfect for any tropical getaway.

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For apple: Strappy

Lisa Shin

Look lean in not-so-basic black with this pairing by L Space by Monica Wise (top, $88, amazon.com; bottom, $97, amazon.com). Be sure to apply sunscreen under all straps to prevent sunburn and skin damage.

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For apple: Tribal

Lisa Shin

A pattern adds flattering curves to an apple-shaped body. We like the print on this two-piece from Out from Under (top, $36, urbanoutfitters.com; bottom, $42, urbanoutfitters.com). You'll really make an exit with the delicate T-strap back, too.

RELATED: The Golden Rules of Sun Protection

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Summery scarf

LemLem

A colorful lightweight scarf like this one from Lemlem Kedame Beehive ($135; lemlem.com) will take you from the beach to the streets in style. It makes a nice wrap for breezier days and cooler nights.

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Sunnies

Dom Vetro

Protect your eyes from the damaging rays of the sun with these Dom Vetro Lupetto sunglasses ($295; nordstrom.com).

RELATED: The Top 3 Summer Beauty Problems, Solved!

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Tune out in style

Lisa Shin

It's prime time for a good beach read. We recommend The Royal We ($26; amazon.com) for its dishy, decadent look inside the British royal family from an outsider's point of view. Follow Bex, an American at Oxford, who ends up falling in love with Prince Nicholas, Great Britain's future king. What seems like a fairytale instead turns into a complicated life of tabloid stories, family drama, and unbelievably uncomplicated scenarios. You won't want to put this one down.

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Jewelry? At the beach? Yes!

Urban Outfitters

Dress up a bikini with the right accessories. We like this Urban Outfitters Urban Renewal necklace ($49; urbanoutfitters.com). The multiple layers and colorful beads make a statement without overpowering your look.

Watch the video: 4 Tips for Using Bronzer

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Colorful cap

Bergdorf Goodman

A bit of neon really pops in the hot summer sun. Enjoy the sunshine and still block some of the strong rays with this bright pink Inverni hat ($185; bergdorfgoodman.com).

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Go metallic

PilyQ

Gold hardware on this PilyQ suit (top, $80, amazon.com; bottom, $97, amazon.com) dress up an ordinary bikini. Bonus: An extra-wide band under the molded cups provides extra support and a lift for your bust.

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From poolside to party

Anthropologie

Need shoes that'll go from the beach to cocktails? Strap into these Cocobelle sandals ($88; anthropologie.com). They're dressy enough to wear off the sand.

RELATED: 7 Times You Should Never, Ever Wear Flip-Flops

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Mark your spot

South Beach Swimsuits

Ditch that basic towel and upgrade to the Solkissed Inca beach blanket ($129; southbeachswimsuits.com). You'll be relaxing in style (covered in sunscreen, of course), and it'll be easy to spot in the sand—no more forgetting where you parked all your things!

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The perfect tote

All Hands

Between sunscreen, your book, food, and drink, you can end up carrying a LOT of things to the beach. Keep everything in one place with the All Hands canvas sailor tote ($240; allhandsny.com). Durable canvas maintains its shape and is easy to wash and brush off (unlike those plastic or straw versions you might be used to).

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Fun florals

Lisa Shin

Ruching on the top of this Athleta swimsuit ($64 top, $49 bottom; athleta.com) creates the illusion of curves. Plus, in a pretty watercolor print, you'll be sitting pretty poolside.

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Slip-on sandals

Lisa Shin

Toss your ratty flip-flops and trade them for these Ipanema ones ($18, amazon.com). A little sparkle dresses up your feet, so if you hit up post-beach drinks you won't feel underdressed.

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Dry off

Lisa Shin

A fun towel is exactly what you want come summertime, and this We Are Handsome one ($73; wearehandsome.com) is bright and fun for any beach get-together.

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Cover up

Lisa Shin

No XL T-shirt necessary. Try this Basta Surf Maya caftan ($188; bastasurf.com) instead. The pink piping and funky design streamlines the silhouette to keep it from looking boxy.

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A bright carry-all

Lisa Shin

You'll be pretty in pink with this Antonello Capriccioli tote ($535; intermixonline.com). Tassels and texture come together to make this the summer-ready