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High-waist briefs or stringy tie-sides? Triangle tops or full-cup bralettes? If shopping for swimwear fills you with dread, consider this your guide to getting it right. Simply find your figure then check out our go-to looks…
Hourglass You have a defined waist with equally wide hips and shoulders. Most styles suit you: plunging necklines, strapless tops and high-waisted bottoms will enhance curves and highlight your smaller waist.
Pear You have a smaller bust, defined waist and wider hips. You’ll benefit from tops that add volume to the bust and fuller bottoms. Statement necklines and embellished or structural details up top will draw the eye to where you want it.
Rectangle You have a straight silhouette with minimal waist definition. Play with bikinis and one-pieces that create the illusion of curves. Swimsuits with deep V-necks or side cutouts will draw the eye to the waist for a shapely look.
Apple You have a fuller bust and midsection, with slender legs. Look for supportive tops and high-waisted bottoms. Full briefs in small to medium-sized prints will draw attention to your hips and accentuate curves.
Triangle You have broad shoulders, with a narrower waist and hips. Match statement bottoms with tops that have thicker straps, plunging or asymmetric necklines, frills and padded cups to balance your shoulders. The key is to exaggerate your hips and define your waist.
KNIT PARADE
This halter-top leopard-print bikini (just seen) has a wide under-band to support fuller busts. Matching high-rise briefs provide flattering full coverage. Meanwhile, a knitted midi dress is the perfect suits-all cover-up.
Best for: apple and pear
Dress, £119, stories.com. Bikini top, £69, and bottoms, £49, shopunderstatement.com. Necklace, £29.99, mango.com. Sandals, £27.50, Anyday, johnlewis.com
ONE-PIECE WONDER
This sculptural one-size swimsuit fits figures from XS to 2XL, thanks to its tum-flattering fabric. The plunging neckline has an underwired bandeau to flatter the bust and frame the décolletage, while thicker straps add stability for larger cup sizes.
Best for: rectangle, triangle and hourglass
Swimsuit, £175, paramidonna.com. Earrings, £370, theysso.com. Bangles, £390 each, giovanniraspini.com
TO TIE FOR
This flirty tie-side bikini with a citrus-hued gradient effect draws attention to all the right parts of your body, while the briefs offer just enough coverage. Add the matching straw bag to make this a three-piece for maximum style points.
Best for: hourglass
Bikini top, £22.99, bottoms, £19.99, and bag, £49.99, mango.com. Earrings, £110, pandora.net. Necklace, £550, tillysveaas.co.uk. Bracelet, £620, giovanniraspini.com
KAFTAN COOL
Whatever your shape, a crochet cover-up is the chicest way to lounge at lunch or sleep in the shade. This cream tie-neck kaftan by Next is the sleekest throw-on around.
Best for: all shapes
Dress, £52, next.co.uk. Swimsuit (just seen), £16, tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk. Earrings, £370, theysso.com
ONE-SHOULDER SMOULDER
Asymmetric straps are great for balancing out broad shoulders. Triumph’s cobalt one-piece with removable quick-dry cups is adjustable so you can change it to suit your body length. It has hidden inner under-bust tape for added support.
Best for: triangle, pear and hourglass
Swimsuit, £60, triumph.com. Earrings, £23, stories.com
CODE RED
We all love Nobody’s Child’s midi dresses, and its swimwear is just as good. This tomato-red ribbed set with knot detail provides high coverage on the top and bottom, while drawing attention to the neckline and waist – the ultimate figure-flattering combo to suit every body.
Best for: all shapes
Bikini top, £29, and bottoms, £25, nobodyschild.com. Earrings, £17.99, mango.com
GO-TO PRINT
John Lewis has some of the most stylish yet affordable swimwear on the high street each summer, and this palm-print one-piece is no exception. With a twist-front that adds flattering ruching to the bust (your boobs will thank you!) and an eye-catching mid-size pattern, it’ll leave you feeling your best.
Best for: apple, pear, rectangle and hourglass
Swimsuit, £45, johnlewis.com. Earrings, £370, theysso.com.
HELLO YELLOW
For timeless, elegant designs, Away That Day stocks every cut, embellishment, colour and size you might desire. Don’t be afraid to slip on a lemon sorbet shade of yellow. The ‘Sorrento’ top is supportive yet sexy and the matching sheer sarong is bang on trend.
Best for: triangle, rectangle, pear and hourglass
Bikini top, £85, bottoms, £59, and sarong, £49, awaythatday.com. Sunglasses, £160, finlayandco.com. Earrings, £65, daisyjewellery.com. Bracelet, £390, theysso.com. Bag, £645, samantavirginio.com
Hair: Jamie McCormick using Hair by Sam McKnight.
Make-up: Jose Bass using Chanel Les Beiges Golden Hour collection and No 1 de Chanel Body Serum-In-Mist.
Model: Leni at Milk.
With thanks to Fairmont Marrakech
