Best Swimsuits for Curvy Figures
Photo credit: David Zellaby
Spring is officially here. Instead of the usual “oh no, swimsuit season, must lose weight”, let’s focus on finding the most flattering swimsuits cuts and styles for fuller figures. The idea is to play up your best features with a style that works for your body.
If you are fuller on the bottom, look for a one-piece swimsuit or a tankini that is darker on the bottom and brighter on the top. This draws attention to the parts you want to accentuate. Another way to highlight and enhance cleavage and draw the eye upward is to choose a swimsuit with a low-cut plunging neckline. Remember that boy-cut bottoms are not only comfortable – they will minimize large hips and give an illusion of proportionate rear end. Avoid revealing bottoms that will make you uncomfortable.
Take a look at this colorblock swimsuit from Nordstrom. It’s easy to see that the style does draw the eyes to the model’s upper body:
Swimsuits with halter-tops or molded under-wire cups with a wide band are a great option for a bigger chest.
A flattering halter top swimsuit from J. Crew:
While a one-piece swimsuit is an obvious choice if you want to cover your tummy, tankinis with a longer top give you a young, modern look and still provide tummy coverage. However, if you will be swimming a lot, you may want to choose a one-piece with better support and coverage.
A longer-top tankini with a modest bottom from Bluefly:
The most important thing is to feel comfortable. No one looks attractive when she is obviously uncomfortable or keeps tagging at her swimsuit in an attempt to get more coverage. If you need to go for a larger size, go ahead – the right fit is more important than the number on the tag. No one will be reading the size on your tag anyway and hey, you can always cut it off. 
Your mission is to find a swimsuit that makes you feel comfortable and feels like YOU.
Related Articles:
Most Flattering Jeans
Skinny Jeans Are Not For Everyone
Diet Mistakes
Fashion Mistakes
Sources: Swimwear for Curvy Figures; Guide To Buying The Best Swimsuit According To Your Body Type
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kim responds:
Posted: March 27th, 2008 at 10:53 am →
Oh please. I saw your picture. You’re tiny. How can someone like you give fashion advice to full figured women? Your advice is mostly good, but I think you should stick with giving advice that is based on your own experience, and in this case, you obviously can’t.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: March 27th, 2008 at 11:36 am →
Kim, I see your point, and obviously you shouldn’t follow my advice if you’re uncomfortable with it. However, a lot of this is common sense. I’m not sure one needs to be a certain size in order to know what would be flattering to that size.
Computer Addict responds:
Posted: March 27th, 2008 at 11:41 am →
Nice post, but I was expecting more Sports Illustrated-like photos!
MomGrind responds:
Posted: March 27th, 2008 at 4:29 pm →
Well, this is not *that* kind of blog.
Ashleigh responds:
Posted: March 28th, 2008 at 8:45 am →
Some of these are great even if you are not plus-size. I love that tankini, will check it out. Thanks.
Deb responds:
Posted: March 28th, 2008 at 2:50 pm →
I love that you posted photos…it helps with my swimsuit shopping!
I’d rather do it online than in a fluorescent-lit dressing room!
MomGrind responds:
Posted: March 30th, 2008 at 5:35 pm →
Ashleigh: You’re welcome!
Deb: I agree. Online is way better. I just try to make sure that at least return shipping will be free (it is at bluefly).
JM responds:
Posted: April 9th, 2008 at 5:33 pm →
I think another thing that should be mentioned is that if you are unhappy with the size of your thighs, wearing those cute boyshort bottoms are often a big no-no: the straight cut on the thigh will often make your leg look thicker, as will horizontal stripes.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 9th, 2008 at 5:38 pm →
JM - thank you for your comment. It does make a lot of sense. Those boyshorts sure look cute on models, though.
Baldi responds:
Posted: October 1st, 2008 at 10:35 pm →
Did any one notice that the models posted are in no way “fuller figure”? They are all slim…