Best Swimwear for Your Body Type: A Fit Guide for Indian Women

The best swimwear for your body type supports you where you want support and adds detail where you want attention. Pear shapes suit detailed tops, apple shapes suit ruching and high waists, hourglass figures suit structured cups, rectangle shapes suit cut-outs and ruffles, and inverted triangles suit detailed bottoms.

This swimwear for body type guide shows you how to find your shape in two minutes and which styles to try first. You don't need a different body for the beach. You need a swimsuit that works with the one you have.

Swimwear for body type at a glance

How do you find your body type?

Take three measurements with a soft tape: the fullest part of your bust, the narrowest part of your waist, and the widest part of your hips. Compare the three numbers with the table above, then check the result in a mirror.

Most women sit between two shapes, and that is normal. Pick the one that sounds closest and treat the advice below as a starting point, not a rule.

What is the best swimwear for a pear-shaped body?

Choose swimwear that brings the eye up. A pear shape carries more width at the hips and thighs than at the bust and shoulders, so detail on top balances your frame.

Ruffles, halter necks, one-shoulder cuts and bright or printed tops all do this well. Pair them with a plain, darker bottom in a mid or high rise. If you like mixing colours, keep the stronger colour on top. You'll find ruffle and halter styles in our bikini collection.

A sarong is handy for the walk from the pool to lunch. Treat it as a styling choice, not something to hide behind.

What is the best swimwear for an apple-shaped body?

Choose ruching, V-necks and high waists. An apple shape is fuller through the middle, often with slimmer legs and a fuller bust.

Ruched fabric gathers across the tummy, so it skims instead of clinging. A V-neck lengthens the torso, and a slightly higher leg cut shows off your legs. Our Kanaka ruched monokini is built this way, with a V-neck and ruching across the body.

Prefer a two-piece? A high-waist bottom with a supportive top gives a similar hold. Voyara's shapewear swimwear includes one-pieces and high-waist bikinis designed for support through the middle.

What is the best swimwear for an hourglass figure?

Choose support and a defined waist. Your bust and hips are already balanced, so the swimsuit only needs to hold your shape, not create one.

Structured cups and underwire keep a fuller bust secure. Bottoms that sit at the narrowest part of your waist follow your curves without adding bulk, and so do one-pieces with a sweetheart neckline. Very thin string styles can dig in, so look for wider bands and straps.

The Flame Twist underwire bikini is a good example, with structured cups for lift and shape.

What is the best swimwear for a rectangle body shape?

Choose details that add curves. A rectangle or athletic shape is fairly even from bust to hip, with a less defined waist.

Cut-outs at the waist, side ties, ruffles and bold prints all create shape. Colour-blocking works too, and so does wearing a top and bottom in different colours. Almost any neckline suits you, so this is the shape with the most freedom to experiment.

For one-pieces with cut-outs and ruffles, see our monokinis.

What is the best swimwear for an inverted triangle body?

Choose a simple top and a detailed bottom. Your shoulders and bust are broader than your hips, so interest below the waist balances your frame.

V-necks and halter necks draw the eye inward, while bandeau tops can make shoulders look wider. On the bottom half, try prints, ruffles, side ties or a swim skirt.

Sets that come with a swim skirt or sarong do the balancing for you. Several are in our resort wear collection.

What else matters besides body type?

Bust size, height and how much coverage you like change the answer as much as your shape does.

• Fuller bust: underwire, wider straps and halter necks give lift and stay put in the water.
• Smaller bust: ruffles, bandeaus and prints add shape, and lighter triangle tops sit comfortably.
• Petite: V-necks, one-shoulder cuts and higher leg lines lengthen the body.
• Curvy and plus size: ruched one-pieces and high-waist styles give support. Voyara's monokinis and shapewear swimwear run from S to 4XL.
• More coverage: long-sleeve swimsuits, high-neck tops and swim skirts cover more without looking sporty.

Three fit checks before you buy

1. Straps: they should stay in place when you raise your arms, without digging in.
2. Bottoms: the fabric should sit flat at the leg and waist, with no gaping or rolling.
3. Size: swimwear should feel snug but not tight. If you are between sizes, size up for a relaxed fit.

Every Voyara piece can be exchanged for a size issue within 7 days, as long as it is unworn with tags attached.

Find your fit at Voyara

Body type is a starting point, and the right swimsuit is the one you stop thinking about once it's on. Use the shape advice to narrow the choice, then trust how it feels when you move.

Still unsure? Message us on WhatsApp with your bust, waist and hip measurements and we'll help you pick a size and style.

About the Authors

Sakshi and Esha are the co-founders of Voyara. College friends, they came up with the idea on a flight home from Bali, after struggling to find well-designed swimwear at a fair price. They now design swimwear and resort wear for real bodies. Read the Voyara story.