Some have been hitting the gym “religiously” or following an incredibly strict diet for the last few months. Some have ignored the signs of the weather warming up and have refused to think they’ll ever have to shed their winter jacket. Whether preparations have been made or not, swim season is upon us. No matter which boat someone might have fallen into, there are many ways to mask those body parts viewed less fondly than others.

Dressing for a specific body type can be incredibly difficult for some when dealing with clothing, let alone swimwear. The normal expectation for most women is to wear an itsy bitsy bikini, baring as much skin as possible. Not every single woman is fully in tune with this trend, however, which is where different styles of swimwear come into the picture.

The first option is a high waist bikini bottom, which is both on trend and completely practical. The added coverage that comes along with a high waist bikini can cover stretch marks or other parts that aren’t everyone’s favorite area to show off. An added plus of the high waist style, besides concealment, is the parts it can highlight. The top of the bikini bottom cinching in at the smallest part of the waist makes everything else appear smaller. 

The second style of swimsuit that may work for some body types is a bandeau top, preferably with some sort of bust ruffle or fringe. Having the added element of a ruffle or fringe would be to highlight a bust that might be a little smaller than wanted. It also draws the attention to that part of the body rather than others, which can help with concealment of other areas.

If one wanted to highlight their rear, there are a few different options available. The first being a cheeky style of bottom, which will show a bit more skin but also make it appear larger. A second option, similar to the one listed above, is a bottom with some sort of ruffle or fringe to add to the appearance and draw the attention toward that specific part.

Finally, the one-piece suit. Some may have only ever worn one pieces and some might have always shied away from them. The biggest benefit to one-piece swimwear is that it can flatter virtually any body type. If the midsection isn’t the best, a full coverage one piece would be best. If the rear needs some highlighting, one with higher cut leg openings or back cutouts would be preferable. Finally, in order to make someone look smaller, having midsection cut outs near the smallest part of the natural waist highlights a favored feature without showing too much skin.

The dressing room with a pile of swimsuits can be daunting, especially without any winter preparing. Looking for a suit for a specific body type can help hone in on which body parts should be highlighted and which should be concealed.