Few things can test a woman’s confidence like swimsuit season. Even just shopping for a swimsuit is enough to make many women feel terrible about their bodies. But with the right style of swimsuit, every woman can feel beautiful and confident at the beach. You just need to choose a style that will flatter your body, by accentuating assets and drawing attention away from problem areas.

These days, there are more swimsuit styles to choose from than ever before. From string bikinis to vintage one-piece, to swim dresses and skirts, tankinis, rash guards, and everything in between, there’s a suit for every woman’s body. You just need to decide what assets you want to flaunt at the beach, and then find the suit that makes you look and feel your best. Let’s take a look at how you can make finding the perfect swimsuit a breeze.

 

Decide What You Want From Your Swimsuit

If you’re not sure what you want from a swimsuit, a good starting point is to consider your normal lingerie. If you’re a large-busted girl who always wears underwire bras, you’ll need the support of an underwire swimsuit top that comes in cup sizes. However, if you’re a small-busted girl who often wears bralettes or even goes braless, then top support isn’t a priority for you; feel free to look for string bikinis or bandeau tops.

Use the same logic when thinking about what you want from a bottom. If you only feel comfortable in high-cut panties, you may want to look for a swimsuit bottom in the same style. If you normally wouldn’t be caught dead without your shapewear, choose a suit that offers tummy control or concealment for problem areas. Overall, you’ll need to decide what assets you’d most like to flaunt, and which parts of your body you’d most like to de-accentuate in order to find the right swimsuit for you.

 

Try on Many Suits

The thought of trying on many suits may be daunting, but that’s what you need to do in order to find a suit that flatters your body. If you hate going swimsuit shopping, online shopping is your new best friend. Many online retailers these days offer a wider variety of swimwear than you’ll find in a store, including plus-size swimwear and maternity swimwear. You can order several suits in styles that you think will flatter your best features, in multiple sizes, and then try them all on in your own home. There’s no need to brave fitting rooms, snarky sales people, or other shoppers, and you can just return the duds.

 

Shop for Your Body Shape

Depending on your body shape, some styles of suit just won’t look good on you, and you’ll save time and heartache focusing on styles that you know will flatter your shape. If you have a pear shape, for example, look for a suit that offers full coverage for your bottom. Vintage suits are a good call, as are any suit with full bottom coverage, swim dresses, and swim skirts. A swim dress or skirt that falls to just below the widest part of the leg is sassy but flattering. Pair this with an eye-catching top to draw the eye upwards; consider a top with ruching or ruffles to make your bust seem larger and give you more of an hourglass figure.

If you’re more of an apple shape, look for a suit that conceals tummy fat. Two-pieces with high-waisted bottoms are the ticket for those with who carry extra weight in the lower abdomen. A one-piece with shirring or ruching can trim and define the waist, as can a suit with a wrap-around silhouette.

If you have an hourglass figure, you’re going to need some support for those curves. Choose a suit with structure in the top, preferably underwire, to keep your bust comfortable and in place. High-waisted suits and halter top suits offer coverage, while flattering your physique. Avoid string bikinis or monokinis, as these often don’t have the support or coverage you’ll need to feel comfortable.

If you’re more of a rectangle shape, you’ll want a suit that sets off your curves, giving you a more feminine line. Look for suits with bold, color prints, ruffles, bows, or other embellishments on the top and bottom to make your curves stand out. Monokinis or one-pieces with cutouts also accentuate curves. A smaller swimsuit bottom, or a bikini bottom with side ties, can enhance your hips and derriere.

Many women feel a lot of pressure to look perfect at the beach. But you can look great at the beach with the body you already have. You just need to choose a swimsuit that enhances your best features, and hides problem areas, to look and feel beautiful as you bask in the sun and splash in the waves.