swimsuit styles

Whether you’ve already had your summer getaway or you’ve still got a beach holiday planned, the right swimsuit will flatter your figure, highlight your best features and make you feel confident.

Finding swimwear to suit your body shape is much easier these days, but it’s also important to understand your body proportions. Especially if you’ve had fit issues in the past – saggy bottoms, straps cutting in, or the occasional ‘falling out’ mishap. Often, your proportions are the culprit, rather than your body.

Aside from this, a common problem finding a swimsuit is how to disguise your tummy. So, let’s tackle it with some style tips to boost your confidence along with some suggestions.

What styles are most flattering for the tummy?

Ruching or gathered fabric across the tummy area helps to disguise any lumps and bumps. Check out the Weird Fish Penelope Eco Printed Swimsuit and others here.

Wrap styles create diagonal lines that visually slim the waist area. This ‘Towan Pink Wrap textured swimsuit’ from Fat Face has a lovely little bow detail – perfect for ‘warm’ colouring types. Find this and more here.

Peplum styles add a floaty layer that can softens your middle section. Alternatively ruffles can be another way to draw attention – depending where the ruffle is of course. The ruffles in this Aspiga frill v-neck will create an ‘eyes-up’ approach and away from your tummy area. Find this one and more here.

Tummy-control swimwear

There are many swimsuits which contain built-in tummy-control panels. They offer gentle shaping without feeling too restrictive and help you feel a little more ‘tucked-in’. The Peacocks floral print swimsuit has tummy control, ruching and pattern! Find it and more here.

Prints and patterns

Whilst not for everyone, clever prints and patterns can help to draw attention away from your tummy area.

Opt for one with panels at the sides with a brighter or patterned centre such as the Boden Santorini swimsuit shown below and it can create the illusion of a more streamlined silhouette. Get it and more here.

The pattern featured in the Joe Browns Cala Carbo Bay swimsuit is very clever as the detail will disguise your tummy area. Plus, they’ve got matching sun trousers and a skirt which help to cover up! Find this and more here.

Necklines

Halter, v-neck, and one-shoulder styles can draw the eye upwards taking attention away from your tummy area. This Joules Jasmine Navy Blue Halterneck ticks the box for patterns, panels and a halter-neck style! This and more can be found here.

Depending upon your body shape, they may also help to balance your proportions. If you’ve got narrower shoulders than your hips, the halter-neck style may accentuate this, so opt for another style like the one-shoulder. This plus-sized, one-shoulder asymmetric style swimsuit from La Redoute keeps simplicity to the minimum. Check it out and others here.

Which brands are worth a look?

Along the ones featured above, there’s so much choice!

Also check out:

Lands’ End

Marks & Spencer

Pour Moi

Dancing Leopard

Next

Also worth noting is that both Next and M&S offer access to multiple brands too.

Cover-ups and accessories

Sarongs, kaftans and oversized shirts can be thrown on over your swimwear for extra confidence-boosting. Add a hat and some fabulous sunnies and your look is complete! If you really want to up the style stakes, wear some jewellery – bangles and necklaces are great tools to draw attention, whilst taking the eye away from your tummy! Just be careful about the metal as I wouldn’t want you getting burned!

Extra tips

Read my earlier blog on finding the perfect swimsuit for your shape for more inspiration here.

If a bikini is more your thing, I’ve got some tips on looking good and feeling confident here.

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