Oh the drama! Bathing suit shopping after months of cozy clothing and lovely layers seems like an unnecessarily harsh start to the gentle season that is spring. But shop we must, or spend our summers covered up in caftans, not wanting to feel the sun on our faces or go for a swim because we don’t look like bathing suit models who are so airbrushed that their skin looks glossy and poreless and plastic.
Which made me think of this quote from the incredible Anne Lamott:
“Oh my God, what if you wake up some day, and you’re 65, or 75, and you
never got your memoir or novel written; or you didn’t go swimming in
warm pools and oceans all those years because your thighs were jiggly
and you had a nice big comfortable tummy; or you were just so strung out
on perfectionism and people-pleasing that you forgot to have a big
juicy creative life, of imagination and radical silliness and staring
off into space like when you were a kid? It’s going to break your heart.
Don’t let this happen.”
This summer, do yourself a favor and find a really fabulous, flattering suit. Find one that brings out your beauty and keeps your secrets while helping you feel supported. And if it also shows off your personality and sense of style, then you’ve found your suit!
Read on for the best bathing suit for every body. Every size. Every shape. Every style.
(Not certain of your body type? Click here to find out).
So we can all get out there and enjoy summer!
Style Dial 1
Do you want the good news first or the bad news? The good news is that your proportional body is usually easy to shop for and to flatter. The bad news is that for the last few years, bathing suit trends have not been very Style Dial 1 friendly. The new high necklines and horizontal necklines are more suited for a SD2. When you do find your most flattering silhouette, with a vertical neckline, it’s cut so low that casual onlookers can see immediately if you have an innie or an outie. But don’t despair. I’ve rounded up bathing suits worthy of every Style Dial 1 body and style.
What to Look For:
A consistent patter throughout the suit; waist detail should be at natural waistline; vertical neckline and details; clean simple shape
What to Avoid:
High or wide necklines; low or high waist detail; pattern or detail on only part of the suit (should be consistent throughout)
Style Dial 1 Plus
Style Dial 1 Tummy Control
Style Dial 1 Small Bust
Style Dial 1 Full Bust
Style Dial 1 Tall/Long Torso
Style Dial 1 Chic (Trendy) Style
Style Dial 1 Relaxed Style
Style Dial 1 Classic Style
Style Dial 1 Boho Style
Style Dial 1 Preppy Style
Style Dial 1 (3)
If you read the Style Dial 1 rules, above (and I recommend it!), you’ll learn that finding a trendy suit can be a challenge right now. The vertical neckline that flatters you is a little harder to find this season then most, especially when you factor in the waist whittling detail that is so flattering for you.
What to Look For:
A consistent patter throughout the suit; waist detail should be at natural waistline; ruching, diagonal lines and other waist definition highly recommended; vertical neckline and details; simple shape
What to Avoid:
High or wide necklines; low or high waist detail; pattern or detail on only part of the suit (should be consistent throughout); straight undefined waistline
Style Dial 1 (3) Tall/Long Torso
Style Dial 1 (3) Small Bust
Style Dial 1 (3) Tummy Control
Style Dial 1 (3) Plus
Style Dial 1 (3) Full Bust
Style Dial 1 (3) Classic Style
Style Dial 1 (3) Chic Style
Style Dial 1 (3) Relaxed Style
Style Dial 1 (3) Preppy
Style Dial 1 (3) Boho
Style Dial 2
You lucky girl, you. Your body type is so trendy right now, as celebs and brands alike celebrate the hips and bum that you are blessed with naturally. The other plus? Flattering swimsuits are everywhere for you right now. The new high-necklines, strappy-necked details, off the shoulder styles and strong horizontal lines are great picks for you, especially when paired with sleek simple bottoms.
What to Look For:
Top details, including a high neckline, horizontal neckline, off the shoulder, bandeau; any strong horizontal elements at the top to balance out your lower half; consistent pattern or pattern at top half of suit only; “quiet” bathing suit bottoms with minimal detail; waist detail should be at high (empire) waist
What to Avoid:
Vertical necklines; ties, embellishments or other details at bottom half of suit
Style Dial 2 Big Bust
Style Dial 2 Small Bust
Style Dial 2 Long Torso
Style Dial 2 Tummy Control
Style Dial 2 Plus
Style Dial 2 Classic Style
Style Dial 2 Relaxed Style
Style Dial 2 Chic Style
Style Dial 2 Preppy Style
Style Dial 2 Boho Style
Style Dial 2 (3)
Like your fellow Style Dial 2 counterparts, flattering suits are everywhere for you this season. Horizontal necklines, top details and high necklines are everywhere right now. Add waist definition (ruching, draping) and you’ve found the perfect suit.
What to Look For:
Top details, including a high neckline, horizontal neckline, off the shoulder, bandeau; any strong horizontal elements at the top to balance out your lower half; consistent pattern or pattern at top half of suit only; “quiet” bathing suit bottoms with minimal detail; ruching and waist detail to define the waistline
What to Avoid:
Vertical necklines; ties, embellishments or other details at bottom half of suit
Style Dial 2 (3) Tummy Control
Style Dial 2 (3) Tummy Control
Style Dial 2 (3) Tall/Long Torso
Style Dial 2 (3) Small Bust
Style Dial 2 (3) Plus
Style Dial 2 (3) Preppy Style
Style Dial 2 (3) Boho Style
Style Dial 2 (3) Chic Style
Style Dial 2 (3) Classic Style
Style Dial 2 (3) Relaxed Style
Style Dial 3
All the ruffles and ruching and gathering and draping in this season’s trendy suits are fabulous at flattering your straight figure and adding waist defining curves. Stick with a vertical neckline whenever possible, especially if you consider yourself broad-shouldered. Look for waist defining details, especially ruching, draping, and banding.
What to Look For:
Vertical necklines; volume and other details at hip and shoulder to define those areas and whittle the waist; ruching and draping at waist, especially high and low waist; drop waist styles; ruffles and ruching to define bum
What to Avoid:
Strong horizontal necklines, especially if your shoulders are broad; Straight, athletic cut suits
Style Dial 3 Full Bust
Style Dial 3 Long Torso
Style Dial 3 Plus
Style Dial 3 Small Bust
Style Dial 3 Tummy Control
Style Dial 3 Boho Style
Style Dial 3 Classic Style
Style Dial 3 Relaxed Style
Style Dial 3 Preppy Style
So there you have 50 of the most flattering swimsuits of 2017. I hope that one of them is your new favorite. Still looking? You’ll find many more styles in my swimwear catalogs, which I’ll be updating regularly. Click on the following links to check out the catalog for your body type: Style Dial 1, Style Dial 1 (3), Style Dial 2, Style Dial 2 (3), and Style Dial 3.
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