Inspire, Style

How To Choose Your Perfect Swimwear Silhouette

Finding the right swimsuit is about more than choosing a style you love. The most flattering fit often comes down to understanding your natural proportions, knowing which silhouettes complement them, and, most importantly, choosing a suit that makes you feel confident. Whether you prefer more coverage, a defined waist, additional support, or a more minimal silhouette, there is a style to suit every figure.

While body-shape guides can be a helpful starting point, they are not rules. Your proportions and preferences are uniquely yours, and the best silhouette is ultimately the one that makes you feel your best.

 

Pear Shape

If your hips are proportionally wider than your shoulders and bust, you may enjoy styles that bring a little more visual emphasis to the upper body to create balance through the silhouette.

The Balconette Maillot with Ruched Straps is an elegant choice, with a sweetheart neckline, supportive underwire cups, and wide ruched straps that draw the eye toward the décolletage. For the lower half, a Classic Fit Bottom or High-Rise Bottom offers comfortable coverage and a clean, elongated line.

When it comes to fit, pay particular attention to your hip measurement. If you are between sizes, sizing up in your bottoms can help prevent the elastic from sitting too snugly against the skin. A slightly more relaxed fit will always look more polished and feel more comfortable than a bottom that pulls or creates unwanted tension.

For an effortless finishing touch, pair your swimwear with a lightweight, open linen shirt or a softly draped sarong on the hip.

 

Hourglass Shape

For those with a naturally defined waist and relatively balanced bust and hip proportions, silhouettes that follow the body's natural lines can be particularly beautiful.

For a two-piece option, the Ruched Underwire Top paired with the Ruched Narrow Fit or Ruched High-Rise Bottoms beautifully emphasizes the waist while allowing you to choose your preferred level of coverage. If you prefer a one-piece, the Balconette Maillot with Ruched Straps beautifully follows and enhances the natural curves of the body.

For those who love highlighting their waist, a high-rise bottom can be particularly flattering, sitting just below the navel to accentuate the narrowest part of the silhouette.

For aperitivo hour, layer a matching silk or linen pant over your swimsuit and allow the waist to remain subtly defined.

 

Apple Shape

If you carry more fullness through your midsection, look for silhouettes that create length through the body and draw attention toward the décolletage.

A V neckline naturally creates a vertical line through the torso, making the V Neck Maillot an elegant choice. Its wide underbust band also provides additional support while framing the figure. For another option, the Ruched Strapless Maillot uses soft ruching through the body to gently skim the midsection while drawing attention upward toward the bust, creating an elegant and sculpted silhouette.

The key is comfort. Swimwear should gently embrace the body rather than compress it. If you find yourself between sizes, consider sizing up for a little more ease and coverage.

A long, flowing cover-up worn over the shoulders can further elongate the silhouette while adding an effortless layer for moving between the pool, lunch, and the beach.

 

Athletic or Straight Shape

If your shoulders, waist, and hips are relatively similar in proportion, you have the freedom to experiment with silhouettes that introduce softness, shape, or visual interest.

The Triangle Top offers a sleek, minimal silhouette, while the Scoop Neck Top creates a softer line through the décolletage. For a more sculpted effect, the ruching throughout La Collection Ruché adds subtle texture and dimension to the body.

Since this is a beautiful shape for playing with proportion, try pairing a more minimal top with a high-rise bottom, or introduce a flowing sarong tied just above the hip to create movement and definition.

 

Inverted Triangle Shape

If your shoulders or bust are proportionally wider than your hips, you may prefer silhouettes that soften the upper body while adding a little more visual presence through the lower half.

A simple scoop neckline, such as the Scoop Neck Maillot, creates a gentle, balanced line through the décolletage. When wearing separates, pairing a streamlined top with a Classic Fit Bottoms or Ruched High-Rise Bottoms can create beautiful balance.

You can also use a cover-up to soften the shoulder line. A lightweight, wide-leg pant or a flowing skirt around the hips creates movement through the lower half while maintaining an elegant overall silhouette.

 

The Perfect Fit Matters More Than the Number

Regardless of your body shape, the most flattering swimsuit is one that fits correctly. Swimwear should feel secure without digging into the skin, pulling across the body, or creating excess fabric.

For women's swimwear, three primary measurements are important: bust, waist, and hips. If you are purchasing a bikini top, your underbust measurement is also important, while Cap Sleeve styles should be selected with particular attention to your across-shoulder measurement.

Our women's swimwear is designed to fit true to size. If you fall between sizes or prefer additional coverage, we recommend sizing up. Because our fabric has a flexible construction, some measurement ranges overlap, allowing for differences in individual proportions while maintaining support and comfort.

The easiest way to find your size is through the Fit Concierge available on every product page, or here. Simply enter your measurements into the Size Recommender, or compare your personal measurements with our sizing chart before selecting your size.

If you are still unsure, our team can be reached by email and is always happy to help you find the right fit.

 

And For Him

Men's swimwear is equally dependent on finding the right proportions. The two key measurements are the waist and hips, with the waistband sitting comfortably where your trousers typically sit.

Because our men's trunks are made from a woven polyester fabric without natural stretch, we recommend sizing up if you fall between sizes or prefer a more relaxed fit. The result should feel polished and comfortable, with enough ease to move naturally throughout the day.

 

Your Shape, Your Silhouette

There is no single formula for finding the perfect swimsuit. The beauty of swimwear is in discovering the silhouettes that make you feel most like yourself.

Start with your proportions, consider the level of coverage and support you prefer, and then experiment. You may find that a silhouette you never expected becomes your new favourite.

Most importantly, let fit—not a number on a size chart—guide you. With the right measurements, thoughtful construction, and a silhouette that feels like you, finding your perfect swimsuit becomes less about dressing for a body type and more about celebrating your own.