Choosing a sexy bikini to suit your body shape

Finding the right bikini for your body is an annual ordeal. You can nearly always guarantee that if the bottoms fit, the top will be too small, and if the top fits, the bottoms will make your backside look massive. I've got some top tips for you on choosing the right swimwear to flatter your body shape.

Pear shaped

The pear shape is said to be British women's most common body type and it just means you have a larger bottom half than top half. It doesn't sound a very flattering shape, but actually it just means you are more voluptuous on the bottom half and as a plus you probably have a lovely flat stomach too! If you want to draw attention away from your bottom half, a great way to do this is by wearing a pretty and detailed bikini top to draw attention to your bust. By maximising your bust it'll be easy for you to look sexy and voluptuous in your bikini! Try to avoid bandeau styles as these will only minimise your curves. Bikini bottoms that cut across the widest part of your hips will look the most flattering on you. Choose bikini bottoms with side ties so you can adjust them to the most flattering position for you, but keep away from boy shorts as these will make your hips look bigger. Always make sure the bottom half of your bikini fits well, as there's nothing guaranteed to make you look bigger than ill-fitting or too tight bikini bottoms.

Apple shaped

If you're a classic apple shape, then you probably have a less well defined waist and smaller hips. Actually it's not that you don't have a small waist, it's just that you have such slim hips! On the bonus side you probably have a great bust and lovely long legs too! So focus on these and create the illusion of curves by picking bikinis with string ties, ruffles, belt, or pretty bow details. Try to steer clear of too small a bikini bottom as these won't flatter your shape, instead go for bikini bottoms with high cut legs that lengthen your legs and draw attention away from your waist. Sexy boy shorts would also work well on you. Avoid halter necks because these will just lengthen your top half, also steer clear of horizontal stripes as these will just draw attention back to your waist. If you feel you need to cover up your tummy chose a tankini or swimsuit in a nice simple style and a pretty pattern.

Hourglass

If you're lucky enough to have an hourglass figure then you can flaunt it in just about any style and that includes even the teeniest of bikinis! Sexy high cut bikini bottoms will look good on you and will make your legs look long. Just make sure you don't squeeze those curves into too small a bikini because you don't want any wardrobe malfunctions on the beach!

Slim or atheletic

A slim or atheletic figure may lack some of the curves of an hourglass, but as a bonus you'll have a slim waist and a slight figure - lucky you! Bikini tops with ruffles or pretty prints will look flattering on you. A halter neck is also a good look as it'll help to accentuate your bust, you could also try bikini tops with extra padding for maximum effect! You'll look great in boy shorts and bikinis with tie sides which will help to give you a curvier look. Try to avoid boring mono block swimsuits as these will be the least flattering for you - pretty pattern and lots of feminine detail are the key for you!

The following are not strictly body types, but they're probably amongst the biggest issues we women face when picking the right bikini or swimwear, so we've given them their very own sections!

Big bust

If this is you and you're lucky enough to be a curvy lady, then a good choice for a larger bust is a halter neck bikini because they can give you good support as well as a sexy cleavage! It's probably best to avoid strapless bandeau styles as they won't give you much support and can look unflattering. Likewise bikinis with tiny tops are best avoided as they won't provide you with enough coverage and you could well find yourself popping out all over! If you have real problems finding bikinis to fit both your top and bottom halves, then trying buying them separately so you can mix and match sizes. If support is a problem for you, then look out for underwired bikini tops or tank top bikinis with wide straps which will give you that all important extra support.

Small bust

Ladies with smaller busts are lucky because they can wear lots of different styles, including bandeau styles which only really look amazing on you! Make sure you check out bikinis with ruffles and tiny tri top bikinis because only you can wear these well! Go for bright colours on the beach this summer, and check out the Brazilian style bikinis which generally have smaller tops making them perfect for you. For extra impact, try bikinis with padding. It's always a good idea to choose a bikini that has adjustable straps to ensure a good fit because loose bikini tops are definitely not a flattering look.

Now for the rest!

If there are any specific bits and pieces you want to conceal or hide, take a look at our checklist below on how to deal with the most common body shape issues:

• Short legs - pick a bikini bottom or swimsuit cut high on the leg as these will help make your legs look longer. It's probably best to avoid boy shorts and bikinis with skirts as these will just draw attention down making your legs look shorter.
• Short body - again, you'll find a high cut leg is flattering and will help to elongate your legs. Also wearing a bikini that has a patterned top and solid colour bottoms can help to lengthen the body. Try to avoid boy shorts and bikinis with skirts because by drawing attention down these will only make you look shorter.
• Long body - you've got the opposite problem here! You're probably a complete clothes horse and everything looks great on you. In fact bikinis were made for you because they'll help to break up your long body. You can wear bikinis with lots of lovely detail at the bust and hip, plus boy shorts will also look good on you. Just try to avoid swimsuits with vertical sripes or in dark mono block colours as these will make your body look longer. Instead go for horizontal stripes or some lovely bright summer colours. Bandeau bikini tops can also help by giving width to your bust
• Big bottom - if you want to minimise your bottom it's best to avoid boy shorts, very skimpy bottoms, or anything with too many ruffles or detail, as these will just draw attention to this area. Instead try a bigger bikini bottom in a solid colour with a full side as ties will just emphasise this area. If you're really conscious of your bottom you might want to consider a bikini with a little skirt. But you can also draw attention away from your bottom half with a pretty detailed bikini top - ruffles are good here, in fact anything that emphasises your top half will help to draw attention away from your bottom.
• No waist - like the apple shape which we talked about earlier, it's not that you don't have a waist, just that your slim hips draw attention away from it. But you can create the illusion of curves with a bikini that has ruffles, bows or detail at the hips. If you have a small bust, a strapless bandeau bikini top will also look good on you. Just try to avoid swimsuits in a solid colour or with horizontal stripes as these will be the least flattering for you.
• Big thighs - you can draw attention away from your legs by emphasising your top half, or by wearing high legged bikinis. A bikini bottom with the string tied high on the leg will look very flattering on you!
• Wide shoulders - the key to looking good for you is to balance out your body, so you want to emphasise your bottom half. Avoid plunging necklines and teeny tiny bikini bottoms because these will not be flattering to your body shape and will emphasise your shoulders. Instead opt for bikini bottoms in bright colours, bold prints, and with ties or details at the hip as these will draw attention to your bottom half and help to balance out your shoulders.
• Short waist - lengthen your body with bikini bottoms that have a low waist or are low rise. Also bikini bottoms with a belt at the hips will look good on you.

Last but not least!

Just remember to find the perfect bikini or swimsuit before you go on your hols. Prices at holiday destinations can be very high and sizes can vary widely to UK sizes. Plus you don't want to waste any of your precious holiday time hunting down the perfect bikini - so make sure you take it with you!