Don't let us tell you what to wear
With summer in full swing and beach season rapidly approaching, we're all facing that all too common anxiety of prepping our bodies and wardrobes for all the swimming and sunbathing we plan to do. In those few weeks leading up to summer, the media goes frantic - telling you to hit the gym, go on miracle diets, pick the perfect self-tanner, and don't even get me started on all that ideal weight talk.
Among all the pre-beach-season angst, you're bound to dust off last year's bikinis. If your figure didn't change much, and you still like how you look in them, you're lucky - you don't have to go through the hassle of picking a new one. If, however, you're in dire need of a new swimsuit Calcugo Calculator is here to help you. With our foolproof bikini calculator, you'll quickly find out which bikini type best suits you based on your body shape. Added to this, we'll also answer the mind-boggling question: "how to pick the best swimsuit"?
The Most Important Rule: Wear whatever the hell you want.
Yes, our calculator will help you pick the bikini that will flatter your body the most. Still, don't take the results as gospel. You're the most beautiful when you feel beautiful. Wear clothes that you like!
What body shape am I?
Having said that, we still think that you can profit from learning what your body type is. You will learn what types of clothing look best on your figure and which cuts or colors to avoid. Ultimately, your silhouette will look more proportional, and that's the look we should all strive for!
This bikini calculator finds your body type based on the scientific study "Comparison of body shape between USA and Korean women" conducted in 2007 by Lee, Istook, and Nam on over 6,300 American women. The study defines these female body shapes based on four measurements: bust, waist, hip, and high hip.
How to measure yourself correctly:
- Bust
- Should be measured at the fullest point of your bust. Don't squeeze the measuring tape too tight - you should be able to breathe deeply.
- Waist
- Your waist is the narrowest part of your torso. Remember not to pull your stomach in!
- Hips
- The hips are the widest point below your waist.
- High hip
- This is also a hip measurement, but taken at the top of the hip curve - not at its widest point.
Best bikinis for an hourglass
If your body shape is an hourglass, you're lucky! This silhouette is naturally proportional and balanced. The key is accentuating your beautiful, clearly defined waist and great legs - your best assets.
As an hourglass, you should wear:
- Tops with straps mid-way across the shoulder and simple or string bikini bottoms
- Strapless or bandeau tops with simple bottoms
- Ruffled or embellished bikini sets that accentuate your curves
- One-piece swimsuits with a wrap waist
Important: Make sure that your top and bottom colors match - mixing colors can make your body look disproportional.
Best bikinis for a top hourglass
A top hourglass body type is very similar to a regular hourglass. The main difference is that your bust is visibly larger than your hips. The trick in picking a flattering bikini is to find one that accentuates your waist and optically balances the top and bottom.
As a top hourglass, you should wear:
- Simple, solid color halter tops or triangle tops paired with patterned and embellished bottoms
- Darker tops and lighter bikini bottoms to optically balance your bust and hips
- Retro-style one-piece suits with a ruffle around the hips
- Tankinis with a simple halter top paired with ruffled or embellished bottoms
Best bikinis for a bottom hourglass (pear)
A bottom hourglass, also known as the pear body type, has a clearly accentuated waist and a bust visibly smaller than the hips. The key in picking a swimsuit is for this body type is to find one that adds volume to your upper body while keeping the bikini bottom as simple as possible. You should also emphasize your waist to achieve a balanced silhouette.
As a bottom hourglass, you should wear:
- Patterned, ruffled, and embellished tops with wide-set straps - they will enhance your upper body
- Push-up tops for some extra volume
- Light-colored tops with darker bottoms
- One-piece swimsuits with wide-set straps and higher-cut legs
- Tankinis with light-colored, embellished, and padded tops paired with darker bottoms
Best bikinis for a spoon
If you're a spoon, your hips are much wider than your bust and have a shelf-like appearance. Your best assets are your lower legs and arms, so show them off! The trick to picking the right bikini is to find one that minimizes the attention to your tummy and hips.
As a spoon, you should wear:
- Patterned, ruffled, and embellished tops that draw attention to your upper body
- Light-colored tops with straps mid-way across the shoulder
- Darker bottoms without any embellishments
- Retro pin-up swimsuits with dark bottoms and ruching across the waist
- Tankinis with empire waist tops that will optically hide your tummy
Best bikinis for a triangle
If you're a triangle, your upper body is very slim, while your hips are even broader than your shoulders. The trick is to add volume to your upper body and de-emphasize the hips. Be sure to show off your best assets - the legs, beautiful arms, and a flat tummy.
As a triangle, you should wear:
- Patterned, ruffled, and embellished tops that draw attention to your upper body
- Strapless bandeau bikini tops (padded ones for more volume)
- Swim dresses with an A-line skirt and moderately deep cleavage
- Tankinis with light or ruffled busts or empire waist tops
Tip: Pair your tops with dark-colored bottoms for the best effect.
Best bikinis for an inverted triangle
Inverted triangles have a subtle waist, ample bust and shoulders, and slim hips. You should pick swimsuits that accentuate the lower body and de-emphasize your bust.
As an inverted triangle, you should wear:
- Simple, solid color halter tops with thick straps
- Dark, simple triangle tops with embellished bottoms or bottoms with side ties
- One-piece suits with cut-out sides, hip embellishments, and deep necklines
- Tankinis with a simple halter top and ruffled or embellished bottoms
- Tiny string bikini bottoms to show off your great legs
Avoid: Strapless tops.
Best bikinis for a rectangle (straight)
This body type has many names: rectangle, straight, or boyish. Your body is proportional but without an accentuated waist. The trick to picking the best bikini is wearing form-fitting clothing around your waist and adding volume to the upper and lower body.
As a rectangle, you should wear:
- Light-colored, patterned and ruffled tops with details such as bows or ties
- Push-ups for some extra volume
- Skirted and ruffled bottoms that add volume to your hips
- Bottoms with side ties
- One-piece swimsuits with a criss-cross front that makes your waist appear thinner
- Tankinis with embellishments around the bust and hips and with a dark-colored waist
Rock that look without burns
Now that you've used our bikini calculator, you know which bikini types will best accentuate your features. There's nothing left to do but head straight to the beach with some newly found confidence!
Important reminder: Every time you go sunbathing, remember to use sunscreen with a proper SPF! Your skin health is more important than any tan.
FAQs
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How to buy a bikini for your body type?
To buy a bikini suitable to your body type:
- Remember that you can wear whatever you want. So even if some bikini style is not 'advised', if you like the design, just go for it.
- Take a measuring tape and measure yourself in 4 places: your bust, waist, hip, and high hip.
- Use the measurements to determine your body type using our calculator.
- Check the suggestions to see what bikini types and styles are the most flattering for your figure.
- Use the suggestion to explore the new styles and bikini types, but don't treat it as an oracle. Choose what you like!
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What type of bikini should a pear shape wear?
A pear (or bottom hourglass) body typed women would benefit from wearing:
- Upper body enhancing tops - aim for patterns, ruffles, and embellishments
- One-piece swimsuit with higher-cut legs and wide-set straps
- Bikinis with mixed colors - choose a lighter top and a dark bottom
- Plain, dark, low-waisted bottoms
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Which body types look best with a high waist bikini?
The high-waisted bikini bottom is incredibly flattering for women with long, proportional torsos. The high waist creates a horizontal line just in the middle of the body, making the wearer shorter than they are. Also, be aware that a high-waist bottom will enhance the natural shape of your tummy and hips area.
Remember that eventually, you should just choose a bikini that you like!
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What types of bikinis look good on petite?
Petite women on the beach look best in:
- High-waisted, high-cut bottoms - they will beautifully elongate the legs
- Off-the-shoulder tops
- One-shoulder tops
- One-piece swimsuits with a high cut
- Deep v-cut neck to elongate the neck and visually add height
- Vertical stripes patterns