Along with the rest of plus-size clothing styles, the choices in bathing suits have come a long ways in the last few years. Gone are the days of the old-lady swim dress with industrial molded interior bras that even our grandmothers weren’t too happy about wearing. Now pretty patterns and prints, bold colors, flirty skirts, Hollywood halters, plunging neck-lines and trendy tankinis are all within the curvaceous, full-figured woman’s grasp. Complementing pareos and sarongs, filmy cover-ups and sassy beachwear are also becoming easier to find in plus-sizes, so if you’ve got it - flaunt it! Don’t hide in shapeless, billowing shapes safely under your beach umbrella. Get out and live! Swim, play beach volleyball, scuba dive, and sail! Relax on the beach or by the pool. Enjoy a cruise to exotic locales. ‘Cause you’ve got the style, the look and the attitude that no waif can match! In fact, have you ever noticed that those sporting the waif look have trouble filling out their swimsuits? So make the most of those gorgeous curves! But always remember the sunscreen.

Once you’ve figured out your body shape and type,  be sure to check out the ElegantPlus.com Editor’s Pick Plus-size Bathing Suits and Full-figured Swimwear Directory.

What’s Your Body Type?
Plus-size women come in all different shapes.
Maximize your assets through color, cut and pattern.

Flatter an A-Shape

 bust-line and draws the eye upward to your best assets.  Halter styling looks great on this figure type. Color blocking can be used to create the same trick. Choose a suit with bold, bright horizontal stripes across the bust area, or an ombre pattern that gradually gets darker toward the bottom of the suit. Take care with skirted suits. If a skirt is too full it can look too bulky. If the hem finishes at the widest part of the hip, it can make you look wider. Often an empire waisted skirt suit works the best on this figure, gradually flaring outward and de-emphasizing the difference between hip and waist ratios while playing up the bust line. Other bust enhancing features like a shirred or twisted bust, embroidered detailing or bright patterned color splash draws the eye upward to your best features. Higher cut leg openings will lengthen and elongate your leg.

Flatter a V-Shape

suited for this figure type since they broaden the lower body and balance a fuller upper body. Vertical striping elongates the torso, while making the lower non-covered part of your body appear fuller. Suits that create the illusion of a defined  waist through strategic, angled or curved  patterning and color use will also give you a balanced pin-up figure, emphasizing your curvaceous bust-line while suggesting a curvy waist-hip ratio. Many suits that work to create curves for an I shaped figure also work well for this figure type.

Flatter a X-Shape

colors. Large, splashy patterns look best on taller figures while smaller pattern look best on shorter figures. Sometimes an hour glass plus figure may feel a little too lush and curvaceous in a swimsuit.  Strategically use horizontal bands of color and pattern or the tankini cut to create a less defined waist-hip ration and even out your curves. A higher cut leg opening will add the illusion of height to shorted figure by visually elongating the leg, a strategy that will help shorter X shapes revel in the glory of all their curves.

Flatter an I-Shape