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The Best Bathing Suits for Every Body: 50 of The Most Flattering Suits of 2017

March 21, 2017 By: Nada Manleycomment

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

The Julia bikini, about $124, NettlesTale.com

Style Dial 1 Tummy Control

Ruched femme one-piece swimsuit

Ruched femme one-piece swimsuit, $98, JCrew.com

Style Dial 1 Small Bust

Shoshanna ruffle halter biknii top, $121, and clean string bottom, $88, ShopBop.com

Style Dial 1 Full Bust

Peek & Beau Macrame Triangle Bikini in B-F cup, $57, ASOS.com

Style Dial 1 Tall/Long Torso

Long torso scalloped V-neck one-piece swimsuit in Italian matte, $122, JCrew.com

Style Dial 1 Chic (Trendy) Style

80s patchwork swimsuit, $60, TopShop.com

Style Dial 1 Relaxed Style

Seea “Rhea” one piece, $135, Anthropologie

Style Dial 1 Classic Style

Style Dial 1 Boho Style

Allihop Zinnia plunge one-piece, $118, Anthropologie

Style Dial 1 Preppy Style

Pour Moi Control Halter Swimsuit, $30, ASOS.com

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

Long torso one piece swimsuit, $114, JCrew.com

Style Dial 1 (3) Small Bust

Envy pushup ruched panel tankini, $137, VodaSwim.com

Style Dial 1 (3) Tummy Control

Main Image - Magicsuit® Yves One-Piece Swimsuit

Magicsuit® Yves One-Piece Swimsuit, $148, Nordstrom

Style Dial 1 (3) Plus

Ashley Graham x swimsuitsforall Presidenta one piece, $92, swimsuitsforall.com

Style Dial 1 (3) Full Bust

Style Dial 1 (3) Classic Style

product photo

Aqualuxe halter one piece, $108, Athleta.Gap.com

Style Dial 1 (3) Chic Style

Slide View: 1: Seafolly Side Cutout One-Piece

Seafolly Side Cutout One-Piece, $152, Anthropologie

Style Dial 1 (3) Relaxed Style

Coral ticking stripe athletic bikini, $96, CabanaLife.com

Style Dial 1 (3) Preppy

Cabana Life-coastal Crush Collection-one Piece Halter,50+ Uv Protection

Cabana Life-coastal Crush Collection-one Piece Halter, $69, CabanaLife.com

Style Dial 1 (3) Boho

Poppy one piece, $225, FrankiesBikinis.com

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

Pour Moi Glamazon Bikini in sizes up to G, $96, BareNecessities.com

Style Dial 2 Small Bust

Envy ruffle push up bikini, $130, VodaSwim.com

Style Dial 2 Long Torso

J. Crew tipped one piece shoulder tie underwire seersucker swimsuit, $114, JCrew.com

Style Dial 2 Tummy Control

Kenneth Cole New York tummy toning one piece, $85, LordandTaylor.com

Style Dial 2 Plus

Main Image - GabiFresh Reflection Convertible Underwire Swimsuit (Plus Size)

GabiFresh Reflection Convertible Underwire Swimsuit (Plus Size), $98, Nordstrom

Style Dial 2 Classic Style

Main Image - Ted Baker London Lace One-Piece Swimsuit

Ted Baker London Lace One-Piece Swimsuit, $149, Nordstrom.com

Style Dial 2 Relaxed Style

Splendid bikini, $136, Anthropologie

Style Dial 2 Chic Style

Cali Dreaming bikini, $209, Anthropologie

Style Dial 2 Preppy Style

Main Image - Ted Baker London 'Cirana' Textured Bandeau One-Piece Swimsuit

Ted Baker London ‘Cirana’ Textured Bandeau One-Piece Swimsuit, $129, Nordstrom

Style Dial 2 Boho Style

Crochet bikini top, $64.90, and bottom, $54.90, Express

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

Magicsuit: Solids Giselle Wire-Free One-Piece, $164, BareNecessities.com

Style Dial 2 (3) Tummy Control

Curvy Kate Set Sail Bandini, $141, BareNecessities.com

Style Dial 2 (3) Tall/Long Torso

ASOS Tall halter one piece, $31, ASOS.com

Style Dial 2 (3) Small Bust

Seafolly ruffle edge bikini top, $49, and bottom, $34, ASOS.com

Style Dial 2 (3) Plus

clicked

Sapphire keyhole swimsuit, $55.30, swimsuitsforall.com

Style Dial 2 (3) Preppy Style

Cabana Life Palm Breeze one piece, $64.50, CabanaLife.com

Style Dial 2 (3) Boho Style

Pour Moi Puerto Rico bandeau one piece, $87, BareNecessities.com

Style Dial 2 (3) Chic Style

The Misty one piece, $114.40 NettlesTale.com

Style Dial 2 (3) Classic Style

ASOS Clean bandeau one piece, $25, ASOS.com

Style Dial 2 (3) Relaxed Style

High necked zip back one piece in colorblocked stripe, $110, JCrew.com

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

Empreinte “Transat” bikini with low rise side tie bottom, $206, HerRoom.com

Style Dial 3 Long Torso

product photo

Smocked tankini, $72, Athleta

Style Dial 3 Plus

The Deirdre one piece, $103.92, NettlesTale.com

Style Dial 3 Small Bust

OndadeMar Lavendula ruffle bikini, $190, ShopBop.com

Style Dial 3 Tummy Control

Miraclesuit Solid Black Net Work Madero Underwire One Piece Swimsuit, $174, SwimStyle.com

Style Dial 3 Boho Style

Scoop back peplum bikini, $126, Anthropologie

Style Dial 3 Classic Style

V-neck one-piece swimsuit in Italian matte, $98, JCrew.com

Style Dial 3 Relaxed Style

Red Carter Boho Festival one piece plunge, $185, EverythingButWater.com

Style Dial 3 Preppy Style

Mara Hoffman one piece bikini, $225, EverythingButWater.com

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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