How to Choose the Right Tankini for Your Body Type

When it comes to swimwear, finding the perfect fit is essential to feeling confident and comfortable at the beach or pool. Tankinis are an incredibly versatile option that offer a flattering look for various body types, combining the freedom of a two-piece swimsuit with the coverage of a one-piece. But with so many styles and cuts to choose from, how do you know which tankini is the best fit for your body? In this article, we’ll guide you through how to choose the right tankini for your unique shape.

1. Understanding Your Body Type

Before choosing the right tankini, it’s helpful to understand your body type and the features you’d like to accentuate or minimize. There are a few common body shapes, and knowing which category you fall into can help you select a tankini that enhances your natural curves and provides the comfort you need.

Common Body Types:

• Hourglass: Defined waist with balanced proportions between bust and hips.
• Pear-shaped: Hips are wider than the shoulders and bust.
• Apple-shaped: Broader shoulders with a fuller waistline and smaller hips.
• Athletic: A more rectangular body with little waist definition and equal proportions in the bust, waist, and hips.
• Petite: Smaller frame with shorter proportions.
• Plus-sized: Larger bust, hips, or midsection that may require more coverage or support.

Knowing your body shape will help you narrow down which tankini styles work best for your figure.

2. Tankinis for Hourglass Figures

If you have an hourglass figure, you’ll want a tankini that accentuates your curves while providing enough coverage to maintain balance. Look for tankinis that highlight your waist and provide structure to the top and bottom.

What to Look for:

• Ruching: Tankinis with ruching or gathering at the sides of the top help define your waist and enhance your natural curves.
• Belted or cinched waist styles: These draw attention to your waist, helping to highlight your hourglass shape.
• V-neck or scoop-neck tops: These necklines help elongate your torso while balancing your proportions.

Choose a tankini with a well-fitted top and bottom to highlight your curves without overwhelming your frame. High-waisted bottoms can also add a touch of elegance and create a more defined silhouette.

3. Tankinis for Pear-Shaped Bodies

For those with a pear-shaped body, where the hips and thighs are wider than the shoulders, the goal is to draw attention upward and balance out proportions. You’ll want a tankini that emphasizes the bust and waist while providing coverage and comfort to the lower body.

What to Look for:

• Embellished or detailed tops: Look for tankinis with ruffles, patterns, or bold colors around the bust area to draw attention upward.
• A-line or flared tops: These styles offer more room around the hips and provide a relaxed, flattering fit without clinging to the thighs.
• High-waisted or skirted bottoms: These options provide extra coverage for the lower body, helping to smooth out the hip area while maintaining a stylish look.

A tankini with a flared or loose-fitting top and high-waisted bottoms creates a balanced, proportionate silhouette for pear-shaped figures.

4. Tankinis for Apple-Shaped Bodies

If you have an apple-shaped body with a fuller waist and narrower hips, the key is to create balance and elongate your torso. You’ll want a tankini that provides support and smooths out the midsection while enhancing your legs and bust.

What to Look for:

• Tops with a supportive structure: Look for tankinis with built-in bras, underwire, or molded cups to offer support to the bust and smooth out the midsection.
• Empire waist or ruching: These features help draw attention away from the stomach and define the waistline.
• Dark-colored or solid bottom options: Darker colors on the bottom can help create a slimming effect around the hips and thighs.

Tankinis with these design elements will help create a balanced, flattering look by focusing on your upper body while providing support around the midsection.

5. Tankinis for Athletic Bodies

If you have an athletic build with a more rectangular body shape, where your bust, waist, and hips are more or less the same width, you may want to create curves and add some dimension to your silhouette. Look for tankinis that help define your waist and add visual interest to your top and bottom.

What to Look for:

• Peplum or flared tops: These styles add volume to your torso, creating the illusion of curves.
• Strappy or halter necklines: These necklines add visual interest and help accentuate the bust area, creating a more feminine shape.
• Bottoms with a bit of flair: A skirted bottom or flared style can add curves to the hips and create more shape around the legs.

Choose a tankini with elements that add curves and visual interest to balance out your proportions and create an hourglass silhouette.

6. Tankinis for Petite Frames

For petite body types, where you have a smaller frame and shorter proportions, the goal is to find a tankini that elongates the body and enhances your natural curves without overwhelming your figure.

What to Look for:

• Shorter tops: Avoid overly long tankini tops that might swamp your frame. A shorter, more fitted tankini can help elongate your legs and create the appearance of height.
• High-cut bottoms: High-cut bikini bottoms or shorts can give the illusion of longer legs, which is perfect for petite body types.
• Vertical patterns or stripes: Vertical lines or stripes on the tankini help elongate the body and create a flattering, balanced look.

Look for tankinis with a balance of coverage and style that don’t overwhelm your frame, and aim for cuts that elongate your legs and torso.

7. Tankinis for Plus-Size Bodies

Plus-size body types often seek swimwear that provides ample support and coverage without sacrificing style. The key is to find a tankini that flatters your figure, smooths out the midsection, and enhances your natural curves.

What to Look for:

• Supportive tops: Look for tankinis with built-in bras, underwire, or molded cups for added support and structure.
• Ruching or draping: These features can camouflage the tummy area and smooth out the waist, offering a flattering fit.
• Full-coverage bottoms: High-waisted or skirted bottoms are great for providing coverage and shaping the lower body.
• Dark or solid colors: Darker colors, especially for the bottom half, can have a slimming effect, while bold patterns or details on the top can draw attention to your upper body.

With the right tankini, you can feel confident and stylish while enjoying the beach or poolside.

8. Final Thoughts

Choosing the right tankini for your body type is all about understanding your unique shape and selecting a swimsuit that enhances your best features while providing comfort and support. Whether you’re looking for added support, the perfect balance of coverage, or simply a flattering fit, there’s a tankini style out there for every body type. Experiment with different styles, colors, and cuts to find the one that makes you feel confident and fabulous at the beach!