Trends in Swimwear: Swimsuit Styles to WOW the Crowd

When considering your essentials for a beach holiday to remember, there’s nothing that is as important as the swimsuit you’re planning on wearing. So before hitting the beaches you should at least take some time to find inspiration in some of the swimsuit styles that are bound to WOW the crowd and flatter your body type.

Swimsuit shopping usually entails a great deal of frustration, mostly because of the numerous insecurities women have regarding their body image. It isn’t easy to look like a celebrity at the beach. So how can you make sure that the piece you choose compliments your figure and is still stylish enough to inspire?

Be they retro-inspired, modern-looking bikini styles, or reinvented one-pieces, swimsuits must first suit your body. Designers have created so many swimsuit styles that you’re bound to find the one piece that works wonders, despite any issues you may have with your shape. Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure that your summer wear is perfectly chosen:

Each woman has a different body shape and selecting your swimsuit should take the features of your body type into account. There are six types of body shapes:

The much-coveted hourglass figure (which may be separated into 2 distinct types, the neat hourglass and the full hourglass)
The inverted triangle
The pear
The rectangle
The lean column
The apple

As the names suggest, these body shapes share similarities with the object they are compared with: for instance, the rectangle body shape involves hip and bust sizes that are fairly similar while the waist is only slightly smaller. An hourglass figure, on the other hand, involves a well-defined waist while the pear body type often involves hips that are much more prominent than the bust. The inverted triangle, on the other hand, involves a bust that is fairly large, while the hips are generally narrow.

Knowing your body shape will help you choose swimsuit styles that enhance your natural features while toning down certain others that you may not be particularly keen on. There are various bust enhancing or bust minimizing swimsuits, as there are swimsuits that flatten the belly or play down curvy hips. The trick is to be honest and search for the perfect one.

Either way, you should be prepared to try on different styles and shapes to find the one that best fits you.

Retro-inspired pieces have become more popular than ever before. High-waist bottoms and vintage style swimsuits are making a huge comeback. Designers have been channelling swimwear styles of the ‘50s and high-waisted bikinis so that you have virtually nothing to worry about with regard to showing too much skin, and these pieces will definitely continue to be crowd favorites for years to come.

1. Black and White Retro Swimsuit

This clever blend of vintage and modern seems to meld the best of both worlds. The all-white top will enhance your natural bust line while the high-waisted bottom, featuring the black-and-white stripes will help shift the focus from any problem areas you fear you have.

2. Vintage Swimsuit with Polka Dots

High-waisted bottoms also work wonders accentuating your waist, and with a fuller figure such styles are excellent choices. This polka dot swimsuit beautifully highlights the waist and the fuller bust.

3. High-waisted Swimsuit with Drastic Cut-outs

Drastic cut-outs aren’t as popular as before, leaving way for simple silhouettes, one-pieces and high-waisted bottoms. This piece cleverly uses cutouts while, at the same time, using the timeless black-and-white pallet.

This black-and-white high-waist one-piece will surely get you noticed, regardless of where you choose to spend your holiday. The black bottom will ensure that your waist is visually minimized, while the black cup details will draw attention to the neck and collar-bone.

4. Vintage Swimsuit with Floral Prints

Floral prints are another inspiration that designers have drawn from 50s style swimsuits, and among swimsuit bottom styles, we’ve already concluded that high-waisted ones are what you should look for this summer.

5. Mixing and Matching Swimsuits

The best thing is that you can always mix-and-match different swimsuit bottom styles with bikini tops so that your outfit is always edgy end fresh. Ideally, search for 2 or three different swimsuits that feature neutral colors so the parts are interchangeable.

Ruched bikini bottoms are another clever way to disguise problem areas, especially since the ruching is designed to mask certain body issues while highlighting strong points. You can decide to mix ruched bikini bottoms with a statement top that either has a floral pattern or features intense, bright colors.

Floral patterns come in the boldest of options and it’s up to you if you dare to combine the bikini top or bottom with other prints. These three options, for instance, can be mixed and matched or worn as they are, though asymmetric cuts (especially in the case of bottoms) should only be worn if you have a lean, toned tummy.

Pin up style swimsuits are designed to honor your curves and the beautiful shape of your body. Most pin up style swimsuits create an hourglass silhouette while also maintaining the feminine look that was so common among these fashion-forward ladies.

6. Cherry Print Pin-up Swimsuit

Cherry prints are the hallmark of pin up clothing, so what better print for a swimsuit than red cherries. Most pin up style swimsuits feature high waists and tops that ensure more coverage, so if you’re not keen on tan-lines, make sure to have an alternative. This particular swimsuit is both edgy and sweet and will certainly make you the it-girl of the beach.

7. Pin-up Swimsuits with Polka Dots

Polka dots are another beloved print in pin up fashion, and whether you choose to pair that with bright colors or tone them down and choose the elegant yet stylish black-and-white look is up to you. One-piece swimsuits are also prevalent among pin up ladies, especially since they are designed to provide extra coverage. If you have a fuller figure, a pin up style swimsuit may be the perfect solution.

There are also bolder choices, especially when it comes to color pallet. Feel free to choose swimsuits that come in a variety of tones, prints and combinations, but be wary of over-accessorizing. On the other hand, a simple, toned-down style can always be brought to life with the proper glasses and styling. Use colorful bows or red roses to accent your swimsuit.

8. Pin-up Swimsuits with Intricate Designs

This vintage swimsuit is absolutely breathtaking, not only because of the mesmerizing floral print but also because of the black details running down the sides. Such a silhouette will compliment any figure while accenting the waist.

Pin up is all about confidence and showing off your body. Of course, every woman has certain areas that she wants to downplay, but despite those, your body is beautiful. Certain pin up style swimsuits show off the parts that you prefer, so that they naturally distract from the ones you don’t really care for.

9. Navy-inspired Pin-up Swimsuits

Navy-inspired pin up style swimsuits are not only sweet and creative, they’re also particularly flattering because of the color palette, the shape and the different applications. The swimsuit on the right, for instance, ensures great coverage of the hips if they are the area you feel should be disguised. If your tummy is the issue, choose a navy-blue one-piece suit that features multiple ruffles that begin below the bust line and end just above the hips.

In order to make sure that the bust doesn’t become visually smaller, different types of ruching are ideal. The well-known red, white and blue combination looks spectacular, especially when the different colors are strategically placed. For instance, the red band highlights the waist while the gold buttons are placed so that they lead the eye away from the tummy.

Granted, choosing retro style swimwear may be a bold choice, especially since designs are uncommon. The halter neck ruffled black and white one-piece, for instance, is perfect if you have a smaller frame, since the ruching on the bust and the applications on the tummy will give the illusion of a fuller figure. Pin up style swimsuits are great in the sense that they give you the freedom to mix bikini bottoms and tops to your heart’s content.

Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Swimsuit

If you’re looking for an amazing swimsuit, be mindful of the silhouette rather than the trends. A swimsuit should fit you perfectly and flaunt your features. If you want to downplay a larger bust, for instance, look for added support, such as halter-top style swimsuits. Wide straps and underwire should be enough to have you feeling secure. A flatter chest, on the other hand, works best with padding and styles that give the illusion of fullness. Busy patterns and ruffles work in your favor.

Downplaying wider hips can be difficult, however, several styles allow you to gracefully maneuver around this problem. Skirted bottoms are excellent and luckily, vintage style swimsuits and pin up style swimsuits often feature such skirted bottoms. Also, make sure to avoid light colors and horizontal stripes. Tiny hips, on the other hand, work best with busy prints, added details and ruffles.

Remember though, in the end, it’s all about having fun. Flaunt your body regardless of whether you are a size two or a size 22. We’re all beautiful and when you find the suit that compliments your features, you will look your best and feel excellent as well.

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