The Season's Hottest Bathing Suits for Your Body Type

It’s that time of year again, when we suit up (a.k.a., strip down!) and head for the beach, local pool, or a nearby swimming hole. If the bathing suit-shopping ritual is somewhat traumatic for you (like it is for most of us), you can start breathing a little easier. This year’s styles include plenty of body-shapers, bust-boosters, hip-slimmers, and leg-lengtheners to camouflage your problem areas and show off your best assets.

The Whittle Waistline Draped One Shoulder One Piece body-shaping bathing suit by Spanx ($188) can perform many bathing suit miracles. It keeps your tummy tucked in tight, accentuates your curves, slims your hips, shapes your butt, and of course, cinches your waist, and we think this suit is beautiful in black!

Photo by Spanx

If you’re shy about your belly bulge, but don’t want to resort to a spandex corset, this Off-the-Shoulder Tank swimsuit by J. Crew will elegantly drape your midsection with strategic ruching and draw attention up to your bust, shoulders, and face with its sexy assymetrical design. We love it in eggplanty Sutton Purple!

Photo by J. Crew

If you’re looking for a bathing suit that covers your thighs, check out the sassy selection at Lands’ End. For our fabulous full-figured friends, we recommend the Women’s Plus Size Slender Tulip Swimdress, which features a flattering tricot skirt and a sexy, shirred crossover bodice, the Geo Print Avalon Swimdress with cute keyhole detailing and azalea pattern, or the Beach Living Batik Dot Twist Front Swimdress in Riviera Rose with twisted V-neck bust. They’re like bathing suits and cover-ups in one!

Photo by Lands' End

Buxom ladies will look especially beautiful in the ASSETS Glamour Ruffle Tankini by Spanx, which has a sewn-in shelf bra and glamorous halter straps that provide support to hold up a wide range of cup sizes. The Ruffle Tankini will also help keep your tummy tucked and your hips and butt in check. ($34.99)

Photo by Spanx

For our friends who don't want to let it all hang out, Lands End will help you keep your breast-kept secrets under wraps with their Women's Plus Size Slender Grecian Swimsuit Top in Dark Turquoise or Coral Sorbet, which looks great paired with either the Women's Regular AquaTerra Mid Rise Swimsuit Bottom ($24.99) or the Women's Regular AquaTerra High Rise Swimsuit Bottom ($14.97).

Photo by Lands' End

Want to enhance the length of your legs? The next best thing to smoke and mirrors may be slipping into J. Crew’s Tulle Underwire swimsuit. The leg cut of this suit allows plenty of coverage around the buttocks and bikini line, while creating a luxurious lengthening effect, so get ready to show off your gorgeous gams, ladies! Plus, the ruched tulle overlay is not only camouflaging, but it’ll have you looking like a French bathing beauty from a bygone era. This suit features underwire for extra support and removable shoulder straps (in case you want to lose those tan lines!); it’s available in a D-cup. The biggest challenge will be deciding between the Black, Ancient Fig, and Dusty Twilight versions.

Photo by J. Crew