Get Ready for Swimsuit Season: NON-Frumpy Bathing Suits for YOUR Body!

I think one of the biggest wastes of time and quickest ways to self-sabotage is to avoid a whole category of fun just because you feel like your body isn’t up to “standards.” Especially when it comes to wearing a bathing suit. You’ve seen the memes: “Summer’s gonna get whatever body I give it” and “How to have a beach body: 1. have a body 2. go to the beach,” WE SHALL NOT SUCCUMB TO SOCIETAL PRESSURES. Think about it, how can anyone have fun if they’re wasting time checking out everyone else to crack jokes? People who are secure with themselves do not bash others. So: we WILL NOT pass up opportunities to have fun because we feel like we don’t look good enough for it. Life is TOO SHORT for that.

Also, life is too short for frumpy bathing suits. Too many body positive activists have fought for brands to be more inclusive in fashion options and while things aren’t perfect, don’t let the efforts go to waste by wearing something frumpy. You are WAY TOO FINE FOR THAT, BOO. You can camouflage areas you may not be comfortable with AND look fly and sexy at the same time.

Now as for your body type (i.e. hourglass, pear-shaped, apple, etc.) there are certain things you can do to either accentuate or camouflage and you can check these out in my Dressing for Your Body series on my Youtube channel. While you may want to pay attention to your body type, this post will focus on things that can happen to any body type (i.e. big tummy, small booty, etc.).

Also, not to be all “OMG HURRY UP AND BUY,” but omg hurry up and buy! NOW is the best time to figure out your suit situation because you don’t want to wait until like June 22nd or something and have to pick over what’s left or be at the mercy of whoever is still launching new suits around then. So if you see something, buy something.

Click on the link corresponding to the number in the image below to shop the suits pictured.

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Small boobs

If you want to make smaller boobs look fluffier, look for bikini tops or one-pieces with excess material (i.e. ruffles) near the bust line. You can also fake a bigger bust with strategically placed prints.

If you want to accentuate a smaller bust, do the opposite. Less is more (so to speak) so the more minimalist you can get, the more you’ll accentuate a smaller bust.

Shop some of my picks in the widget below (don’t forget to use the arrow to scroll and see more options)

Big boobs

Sometimes with bigger boobs you have to get into the basics of finding a suit that fits and supports your bust before you even start to think about flaunting or camouflaging. Thankfully a number of sites offer bra-sized bikini tops and suits. The thing is though you have to know who has the stylish ones because for whatever reason, a lot of bathing suit designers seem to think women with bigger busts want to look like bad 80s catalogue models.

Shop some of my picks in the widget below (don’t forget to use the arrow to scroll and see more options)

Big tummy

GURL, whether you have a food baby because you ate an extra burrito or if your tummy just spilleths over on the regular, you STILL can rock a bikini. The onslaught of cute high waist bottoms has made this an option for even more bikini-loving babes.

But if a bikini still isn’t for you, there are a number of one-pieces that are just as hot. Look for cool details (i.e. cutouts, drawstrings, patterns, zippers, etc) that draw the eye away from a bigger tummy. You have WAY more options than just an all-black one-piece.

Things that help camouflage a big tummy include ruching, diagonal lines (can also be material cut on the bias), peplum, patterns (note that you want the patterns to be on the larger side, smaller patterns can make things look bigger).

Shop some of my picks in the widget below (don’t forget to use the arrow to scroll and see more options)

Small booty

These tips will sound a lot like the ones for small boobs because it’s basically the same thing but applied to the bottom area. If you want to make your butt look bigger, strategically placed patterns (the larger and curvier the better) and extra fabric (ruffles, peplum, etc) will create the illusion of a bigger booty.

If you want to accentuate your small derriere, do the opposite.

Shop some of my picks in the widget below (don’t forget to use the arrow to scroll and see more options)

Big booty

If you want to flaunt your pretty brown round, there’s no better way than with a suit that has a very revealing bottom.

If you want to camouflage, try darker colored bottoms.

Shop some of my picks in the widget below (don’t forget to use the arrow to scroll and see more options)

Arms

There are a number of options if you’re looking to camouflage your arms. Best thing to do is to make sure the strap or sleeve of the suit doesn’t hit the widest parts of your arms—this will make them look bigger—great if that’s what you want, not so great if it isn’t.

Second, there are so many suit options out there with sleeves both short and long that slaaaaay.

Shop some of my picks in the widget below (don’t forget to use the arrow to scroll and see more options)

Plus/Tall/Petite

I only have this section here to remind everyone that these are SIZES and not body types. You can be any of these special sizes and have any body type. If you fall into any of these categories, you’d still follow the advice above depending on what you want to flaunt or camouflage, but you’d look for that in suits that come in your sizing. Sites like ASOS.com are amazing for carrying an array of styling options that come in plus, tall, or petite.

Cover-Ups

Honey, don’t forget the beachwear! Gone are the days where your only cover-up option was a bright colored sarong—now you have so many LEWKS to choose from. There are all sorts of options that can easily take you from the beach to brunch.

Shop some of my picks in the widget below (don’t forget to use the arrow to scroll and see more options)

Which bathing suits do you have your eyes on? Tell me in the comments!