6 Trending Swimsuit Styles for Curvy Girls

Body positivity is trending, and we’re here for it. More and more women are speaking out against the harmful body standards perpetuated in the media. And with body-positive celebrities like Lizzo and Amber Riley proudly showing their curves to the world, other women feel confident enough to do the same.

As social media usage continues to trend upward, young women are at a greater risk of developing a negative perception of their bodies. It’s nearly impossible to scroll through your social media timeline without seeing women with slender, hourglass figures. And while some women are born naturally curvy, many visit plastic surgeons to get the look.

The Dangers Of The Impossible Beauty Standards

The Brazilian butt lift or BBL is a popular plastic surgery trend that many women are risking their lives to get. According to a 2017 study, requests for the procedure have risen by more than 77% since 2015. Many women who undergo the surgery are satisfied with their results. But many women aren’t as fortunate as doctors warn that BBLs have one of the highest mortality rates of all plastic surgery procedures.

For Curvy Women, Body Positivity Is The Move

Fortunately, more women are choosing to ignore these impossible beauty standards. Instead, they’re embracing who they are from head to toe. And as attitudes change, so does the fashion industry. In 2018, Rihanna launched Savage X Fenty, a line of lingerie that catered to people of all shapes and sizes. Fans praised the inclusive brand, and after much success, other companies began to follow suit.

Today, it’s easier than ever to find apparel for curvy women. And now that summer is here, it’s time to break out the swimsuits that show off every inch of our bodies. Here are six bathing suit tops and bottoms for curvy body types, plus where to find some of our favorite styles from inclusive swimwear brands:

Tops

T Shirt

T-shirt bathing suit tops complement many shapes and sizes, but women with curvier body types may find them especially beneficial.

Because t-shirt tops provide maximum coverage, they’re great for hiding annoying side boob bulges to give a smoother, more even shape. They can also help conceal excessive arm fat so you can embrace your body without needing to cover up.

Many t-shirt tops include matching bathing suit bottoms in various colors and patterns. But when sold separately, they pair well with high-waisted swim shorts or high-cut bikini bottoms.

Our pick: ELOQUII’s colorful swimsuit top with puffed sleeves.

Wrap Top

Wrapped tops are a good option for curvy women because they accentuate your curves in all the right places. They come in a wide selection of styles, from classic bikinis to halter tops to ones with criss-cross patterns. Wrapped tops with lots of straps are a trending style that many celebrities like to wear as well.

They also complement women who aren’t as curvy by emphasizing the bust area and carving out a smaller waist. Try a wrapped top that you can tie in the front or back for a trendy beach look.

Our pick: This tropical two-toned one-piece by Summersalt.

Flounce

Flounce swimwear tops are a popular choice for curvy ladies because of how versatile they are. They come in various styles, including tankinis, off-shoulder tops, and ruffled, feminine tops.

Because they fit relatively loose, they look good on just about anyone. But when it comes to styling, they pair well with form-fitting bottoms to create the perfect balance.

They’re also easy to style when you want to take your look from day to night. Wear them with your favorite high-waisted jeans and heels, and you’re ready to go.

Our pick: This frilly floral bikini top by Curvy Swimwear.

Bottoms

Ruched

Ruching is a sewing technique that gathers fabric together to create a rippled design. It’s typically positioned over the stomach to hide belly fat and give the illusion of a leaner mid section. Curvy women can stun in ruched bathing suit bottoms because they draw attention to a flatter stomach that gives way to sexy, thick hips and thighs.

Try a one-piece halter top swimsuit with ruching that stretches past your hips for a vintage pinup style. For a more modern look, ruched one-pieces with a plunging neckline are the perfect way to show up and show this summer.

Our pick: Riot Swim’s ruched one-piece that pairs perfectly with their mini black coverup.

High-waisted

Low rise bottoms are coming back, but that doesn’t mean high-waisted bottoms have to make an exit. High-waisted swimsuit bottoms look great on women of all shapes and sizes because they tend to cinch in at the waist to give you an hourglass shape. They’re typically made from stretchy fabric that sucks in and smooths out unwanted belly fat.

Curvy women look great in high-waisted swimsuit bottoms because they emphasize a smaller waist and thick thighs so that you can serve bawdy all summer long. Also, because they already cover quite a bit of skin, they pair well with slightly more revealing tops like a scoop neck or one-shoulder top.

Our pick: This mustard yellow halter top and shorts set by Xhale Swim.

Cut-outs

Bathing suits with cut-outs are the perfect way for curvy girls to show a little skin without baring it all. When it comes to cut-outs, there are multiple styles to choose from.

For instance, a one-piece bathing suit with two side cut-outs are the standard. However, you can also find some with striped cut-outs on the hips or a triangular cut-out in the front. You can also find bathing suits with mesh overlay cut-outs to give you a subtle and sexy look that provides some protection from the sun.

Our pick: This navy blue polka dotted one-piece with a frontal cut-out by MissesBrie.