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Chic One-Piece Swimsuits for Every Body Shape
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  1. Home
  2. Fashion

Chic One-Piece Swimsuits for Every Body Shape

Andrea Cheng
Jul 11, 2015 @ 11:00 am
<p>If you're petite...</p>
pinterest
If you're petite...

The goal is to elongate. "Look for cut-outs and monokinis to help create the illusion of curves," says Sabra Krock, creative director of Everything But Water. But if those glimpses of skin are too revealing for your taste, fake the illusion of a longer torso with skinny vertical stripes. Morgan Curtis, the swim designer of Solid and Striped, calls out the Anne-Marie one-piece specificially (center), because it sits higher up on the hips, which lengthens legs.

Shop the pieces, from left: Karla Colletto, $281; everythingbutwater.com. Solid and Striped, $160; net-a-porter.com. Mikoh, $208; mikoh.com.

Courtesy
<p>If you're tall...</p>
pinterest
If you're tall...

Unlike a bikini, not all one-pieces can accommodate a long torso. Too little fabric can stretch too thin and result in discomfort. Look to brands that cater to tall frames and seek out suits that are cut with "tricot or four-way stretch, which will more easily yield to your length," Krock advises. Another trick is to look for suits with ruching on the sides and with customizable straps that can be adjusted to suit your needs.

Shop the pieces, from left:  J. Crew, $102; jcrew.com. Zimmermann, $100; anthropologie.com. Long Tall Sally, $55; longtallsally.com.

 

Courtesy
<p>If you have a small bust...</p>
pinterest
If you have a small bust...

In the same way you want to minimize problem areas by drawing attention away from them, boost a small bust by putting it in the spotlight. "Look for one pieces with interest or volume at the bust such as bows, ruffles, or patterns," Krock says. A sexy way to achieve the same thing do is to take the plunge with a key-hole detail—much chicer than a too-padded top.

Shop the pieces, from left: Marysia, $315; marysiaswim.com. Lisa Marie Fernandez, $465; net-a-porter.com. Eberjey, $80; anthropologie.com.

Courtesy
<p>If you have a large bust...</p>
pinterest
If you have a large bust...

Underwire cups and under-bust banding deliver the best kind of support, Krock advises. We recommend staying away from halter straps, which can lead to neck strain—shoulder straps are your best bet. 

Shop the pieces, from left: Tory Burch, $250; toryburch.com. La Blanca, $119; everythingbutwater.com. Ted Baker London, $87; tedbaker.com.

Courtesy
<p>If you're full-figured...</p>
pinterest
If you're full-figured...

Look for suits equipped with molded cups, tummy-control lining, and draped fronts. But for the most flattering pieces, don't be scared to play with prints, like colorful slimming lines, or to experiment with cool detailing, like mesh panels for sexy glimpses of skin. Want more coverage? Go for one with a skirted bottom that should ideally "hit the top portion of the thigh," Krock says. 

Shop the pieces, from left: Lane Bryant, $95; lanebryant.com. Longitude, $49; swimsuitsforall.com. H&M, $40; hm.com.

Courtesy
<p>If you don't want awkward tan lines...</p>
pinterest
If you don't want awkward tan lines...

Steer clear of super-strappy swimsuits with criss-cross backs or with cut-out detailing. Instead, keep it frill-free with traditional one-pieces that boast a sexy deep-scoop back and nothing else—a modern take on the classic. Plus, solid suits washed in red, white, or black have a lifespan of forever. 

Shop the pieces, from left: Thapelo Paris, $240; matchesfashion.com. Gap, $60; gap.com. Onia, $150; onia.com.

Courtesy
1 of 7

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In the swimwear sphere, teeny-tiny triangle bikinis have been in the spotlight for as long as we can remember. But this summer especially, they face fierce competition from their traditional counterpart: the one-piece. These new, trendy maillots, though, aren't anything like the prudish shapes of old. Instead, these new styles boast cool cut-outs, cutaway silhouettes, deep-plunge necklines, and straps that go every which way. They're eye-catching and all, but are they actually flattering on real women? 

We tapped swim geniuses Sabra Krock, creative director of Everything But Water, and Morgan Curtis, the mastermind behind cult-favorite swim brand Solid and Striped, to give us shopping pointers and recommendations for every kind of body type and concern, from short torsos to plus-size.

Our three favorite words: add to cart.

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And if there's only one thing you should take away when it comes to shopping for these on-trend one-pieces, it's this: Avoid cut-outs that target the hips and stomach. "Cut-outs on love handles and stomachs are not flattering," Curtis warns. "If you do want a suit with a cut-out, look for one that sits right below the bust line—that's the most flattering area on everyone." Duly noted. Ahead, study and shop the best one-pieces for you.

PHOTOS: Chic One-Piece Swimsuits That Address Every Body Concern

1 of 6 Courtesy

If you're petite...

The goal is to elongate. "Look for cut-outs and monokinis to help create the illusion of curves," says Sabra Krock, creative director of Everything But Water. But if those glimpses of skin are too revealing for your taste, fake the illusion of a longer torso with skinny vertical stripes. Morgan Curtis, the swim designer of Solid and Striped, calls out the Anne-Marie one-piece specificially (center), because it sits higher up on the hips, which lengthens legs.

Shop the pieces, from left: Karla Colletto, $281; everythingbutwater.com. Solid and Striped, $160; net-a-porter.com. Mikoh, $208; mikoh.com.

Advertisement
2 of 6 Courtesy

If you're tall...

Unlike a bikini, not all one-pieces can accommodate a long torso. Too little fabric can stretch too thin and result in discomfort. Look to brands that cater to tall frames and seek out suits that are cut with "tricot or four-way stretch, which will more easily yield to your length," Krock advises. Another trick is to look for suits with ruching on the sides and with customizable straps that can be adjusted to suit your needs.

Shop the pieces, from left:  J. Crew, $102; jcrew.com. Zimmermann, $100; anthropologie.com. Long Tall Sally, $55; longtallsally.com.

 

3 of 6 Courtesy

If you have a small bust...

In the same way you want to minimize problem areas by drawing attention away from them, boost a small bust by putting it in the spotlight. "Look for one pieces with interest or volume at the bust such as bows, ruffles, or patterns," Krock says. A sexy way to achieve the same thing do is to take the plunge with a key-hole detail—much chicer than a too-padded top.

Shop the pieces, from left: Marysia, $315; marysiaswim.com. Lisa Marie Fernandez, $465; net-a-porter.com. Eberjey, $80; anthropologie.com.

Advertisement
4 of 6 Courtesy

If you have a large bust...

Underwire cups and under-bust banding deliver the best kind of support, Krock advises. We recommend staying away from halter straps, which can lead to neck strain—shoulder straps are your best bet. 

Shop the pieces, from left: Tory Burch, $250; toryburch.com. La Blanca, $119; everythingbutwater.com. Ted Baker London, $87; tedbaker.com.

Advertisement
5 of 6 Courtesy

If you're full-figured...

Look for suits equipped with molded cups, tummy-control lining, and draped fronts. But for the most flattering pieces, don't be scared to play with prints, like colorful slimming lines, or to experiment with cool detailing, like mesh panels for sexy glimpses of skin. Want more coverage? Go for one with a skirted bottom that should ideally "hit the top portion of the thigh," Krock says. 

Shop the pieces, from left: Lane Bryant, $95; lanebryant.com. Longitude, $49; swimsuitsforall.com. H&M, $40; hm.com.

Advertisement
6 of 6 Courtesy

If you don't want awkward tan lines...

Steer clear of super-strappy swimsuits with criss-cross backs or with cut-out detailing. Instead, keep it frill-free with traditional one-pieces that boast a sexy deep-scoop back and nothing else—a modern take on the classic. Plus, solid suits washed in red, white, or black have a lifespan of forever. 

Shop the pieces, from left: Thapelo Paris, $240; matchesfashion.com. Gap, $60; gap.com. Onia, $150; onia.com.

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