Making the Most of Swimsuit Season

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By Lindsey Sharp

Swimsuit season is upon us, and whether that makes you squeal with glee or begin to fret, we’ve got a few tips for you for finding the best swimwear this season both to stay on-trend and to flatter your body.

Your clothes affect how people perceive you, and often how you perceive yourself.

Whether your biggest concern is making sure your swimwear makes you feel confident or whether you just want to be sure you’re donning what’s “in” this season, we’ve got you covered.

First, let’s dive into how to determine which cut and style of suit is best for you first.

Inverted Triangle:

If your shoulders or bust is wider than your hips, try this:

Draw your eyes down and away from your shoulders by adding volume to your lower body to balance a larger top. Choose suits with wide straps, skirts, side stripes, “boycut” legs, or patterns or prints that draw the eyes down.

Triangle

If your hips are wider than your shoulders or bust, try this: Draw your eyes up and away from your hips by looking for suits that slim your lower body and draw attention to your upper body with shapely necklines and bust detailing.

Suits that are most flattering may feature a front zipper, darker or solid colors on the bottoms, and an empirestyle waist.

Rectangle

If you have a balanced hip and shoulder width without a defined waist, try this:

Define your waistline by creating curves with details like princess seams, draping, and belts. Try suits with a drop-yoke waist, princess seams, lingerie straps, diagonal lines and prints, and a belt or sash—avoid solid colors.

Circle

If your waist is larger than your bust and hips, try this: Create the illusion of a defined waist by choosing suits that slim your lower body and create a slimming waistline with interesting necklines or side shirring. Suits with princess seams, tummy control panels, high backs, diagonal prints, and vertical color blocks will be your go-tos.

Now let’s get into what’s trending. According to a “Sports Illustrated” interview with Ivy Heilman, senior swimwear buyer for Anthropologie and an article by Sierra Mayhew, Associate Editor at “Who What Wear,” there are four trends that stand out among the rest for 2023’s swim season:

1. Added shine

We’re talking built-in jewelry, distinct beading, and jewels embellishing impressive points of your body.

2. Dimensional details

3D flowers, bows, cutouts, and fabric manipulation like ruching are in.

3. Matching minis

Ideal to give your suit the ability to go from the pool straight to the bar and to give you a bit more modest coverage, matching miniskirts are what some are considering the essential third piece to a bikini this season.

4. 2000s-era looks

Remember last month’s piece? The same is true for swimwear: skimpy and contrasting piping is the name of the game in 2023. There are many local shops that sell swimwear that may be able to give you specific advice, including our friends at Barabara’s New Beginnings!

Whatever suit you choose, rock it. If it’s any comfort at all, know that most of us have the same feelings when it comes to swimsuits: we just want to feel good in one to enjoy whatever activities require them! a