Fashion | 03.12.23

The Ultimate Guide to Every Style of Women’s Swimwear

BY Lulus

When it’s time for fun in the sun, we are blessed with an abundance of options for swimwear. But with so many options, it can be overwhelming to figure out which swimsuit style is most flattering and comfortable for your body. The team at Lulus is passionate about providing a dazzling variety of high-quality swimsuits, so we created this visual guide to every type of one-piece swimsuit, every type of bikini top, every type of bikini bottom, and more! Below, we will explore what style of swimsuit is best for different body types. Let’s dive in!

What Are the Different Types of One-Piece Swimsuits?

Here are a few of the popular one-piece styles we included on our swimsuit style guide:

Strapless One-Piece: A strapless one-piece is simply a one-piece without any straps. Strapless one-piece swimsuits are flattering for smaller-chested women, especially in a bandeau style.
Swim Dress: A swim dress is a swimsuit with the silhouette of a mini-dress, often with a skirt component. They tend to offer more coverage for the thighs. Swim dresses are fantastic for curvy figures.
Blouson: A blouson swimsuit top is more loose-fitting than a typical bathing suit, sort of like a breezy tank top. They are often banded at the bottom, which causes the fabric to flow away from the body. Are blouson swimsuits flattering? They can be wonderful for any body type, but they are extra-helpful for hiding the tummy.
Lace-Up: Lace-up one-piece swimsuits feature a lacing element, either down the front or in the back. Lace-up one-piece bathing suits add a splash of allure and can be flattering for all body types.
Cutout: Cutout swimsuits are in style right now! A cutout one-piece swimsuit has cuts of fabric “missing” to reveal different parts of the body. Cutouts can be subtle or dramatic, but either way, they are fun and flirty!

What Are the Different Types of Bikinis?

Looking for the best bikini types for your body? Here are a few of the popular bikini top styles and bottom styles that we included in our bikini style guide and who they might be most flattering for:

Scoop Bikini Top: A scoop bikini has a scoop neckline, or a deeper, wider neckline that resembles the shape of a spoon edge. This style is universally flattering!
Triangle Bikini Top: A triangle bikini top has triangle-shaped cups. It’s considered one of the best bikini tops for a small bust.
Underwire Bikini Top: An underwire bikini top has an underwire built in to provide support and lift. These are also often padded for extra oomph! Underwire bikini tops work well for busts of all shapes and sizes.
Balconette Bikini Top: As the name suggests, balconette bikini tops act as a “balcony” for the chest, creating a lovely lift.
Bandeau Bikini Top: Bandeau bikinis are typically a strapless swath of fabric that goes across the chest. They are suitable for lounging, tanning, and wearing under clothes but may not stay in place in the water.
High-Waist Bikini Bottom: High-waist bikini bottoms often extend over the navel. They are considered flattering for curvier bodies because they provide support and help create an hourglass silhouette.
High-Cut Bikini Bottom: High-cut bikini bottoms sit on the natural waist, over the hips. They are designed to elongate the legs, creating a slimming effect.

What Is a Cheeky Swimsuit?

Cheeky swimsuits are all the rage right now, but what does cheeky coverage mean? Cheeky swimsuit bottoms are all about showing the natural curves of your behind. They curve in an opposing direction to the bottom of your cheeks in a V-shape, revealing more while highlighting the shape of your butt. What is the difference between cheeky and thong bikinis? Cheeky bikinis offer more coverage than thong bikinis but less than a typical bikini cut, showcasing more of the bottom of your butt. Generally, the fabric shape of a cheeky bikini is more rounded, contouring to the derriere’s shape. A thong bikini is more of a “T” shape down the center of your butt.

What Style of Bathing Suit Is Most Slimming?

What swimsuits make you look slimmer will depend on your body type.

The best swimsuits for pear shapes should have elements that draw the eye upward, such as plunging necklines, lace-up details, and asymmetrical straps.
The best swimsuits for small busts include triangle tops, push-up bra tops, and fun and eye-catching details.
The best swimsuits for large busts should be supportive, with bra-style tops, adjustable straps, and higher backs.
The best swimsuits for curves include asymmetrical elements, color-blocking, and retro fits (like high waists and boxy halter tops) to highlight your shape.
The best swimsuits for athletic bodies include elements such as bold prints, ruffles, and embellishments to create the illusion of curves, monokinis to showcase tone and shape, small swimsuit bottoms to make the butt appear larger, and tie-side bikini bottoms for the perfect cinched fit.

What Color Swimsuit Is Most Slimming?

Dark colors such as black or navy tend to be the most slimming and figure-flattering. Color-block swimsuits with darker panels or cut-outs can both emphasize curves and make you appear more slim.