Living in Southeast Asia means swimsuit season is year round, and nothing beats the ‘gram of a sultry, beachside bikini shot with a cocktail in hand.
Own the 24/7 summer season by rocking the perfect bikini for your body type – trust us, this handy guide will make swimsuit shopping so much easier.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)
Feminine, elegant and 100% chic, off shoulder bikinis are great if you have a dressier, beach or poolside event to attend. This style helps to elongate the clavicle, making it ideal if you are looking to balance wider hips.
Best suited for: Ladies with wider hips, or delicate shoulders and swanlike necks
Style tip: Accentuate the curve of your neck to shoulders with an off shoulder bikini in a monochromatic colour and channel your best Audrey Hepburn-meets-the-beach. If you have a perkier chest, you can also opt for a top that features meshing or crisscross straps down the front to show off the ladies.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)
Commonly referred to as a halter bikini, this style offers more frontal coverage, and is extremely trendy these days. Featuring all kinds of detailing from mesh to crochet, and an infinite number of prints, this fun bikini offers more support and is ideal if you’re into water sports, but don’t want to cover up… too much.
Best suited for: Ladies with broader shoulders.
Style tip: If you have broader shoulders, choose a top that has a broader piece of fabric from the neck to the top of your armpits as it covers more of your clavicle. The halter style will “cut” the length of your shoulders, making them appear smaller. This style can also look very sporty, making it a cool option if you’re looking to bring atheleisure to the beach.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)
Also dubbed as “hipster” bikinis, this style of swimsuit starts a couple of inches lower at the pelvic bone than a regular bikini (think the opposite of the high cut bikini). It is common to find this style in string bikinis, and is great for accentuating narrower hips and trim abs.
Best suited for: Ladies with shorter torsos who want to appear taller.
Style tip: A low cut string bikini is one of the most versatile options, as you can easily adjust the height of the side straps. A general rule of thumb: the lower you wear it, the longer your torso will appear! This style is also great if you worry about tan lines and often wear low cut jeans or shorts.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)
While we don’t see much of this style anymore, the skirtini was first made hot in 2007 when Juicy Couture dubbed them as one of the hottest swim wear trends. Featuring a regular bikini top with a small, skirted bottom, this style is great if you’re looking for more lower body coverage.
Best suited for: Pear-shaped ladies with wider hips.
Style tip: Choose a skirtini that falls just below the widest curve of your hip for a slimming effect. As this style naturally offers more volume, choose one that has a lower waist to avoid looking too bulky below. As always, a darker colour will provide a bigger slimming effect, and avoid fabrics that are too thick and stiff.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)
A tankini is a two-piece swimsuit that features a top styled like a tank top (hence its name) and a regular, bikini bottom. This versatile style is loved by everyone from sunbathers to surfers alike, boasting more modesty with the convenience of a bikini. As it provides more coverage and stays in place better than a regular bikini, it is ideal for active types who don’t want to be re-adjusting constantly.
Best suited for: Active water lovers or pregnant ladies who are looking for more coverage and convenience when going to the bathroom.
Style tip: Mix and match it up and create your own custom suit! The highly versatile tankini suits all body types, whether you’re looking for more boob support, tummy concealment or waist enhancement. Choose a top with more ruffles or shirring if you’re looking to hide bulges, and a sleek, streamlined style if you want to accentuate your summer bod.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)
Made from thicker fabrics and commonly featuring ruching detailing down the front and sides, this style of bikini is designed to keep everything in place and give you a streamlined figure. This style is ideal if you’re looking to lift and tuck, while staying comfortable for any number of activities from swimming to beach bar lounging.
Best suited for: Plus-sized ladies or ladies looking for extra body support.
Style tip: A darker, single colour automatically slims down your figure, but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from prints! Just opt for smaller prints like micro polka dots or thin vertical strips and you’re all set for summer.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)
Fitted with a thin, semi-circular strip of material (plastic, metal or resin are common) under each bra cup, underwire cup bikinis were inspired by underwire cup bras and introduced to the market by the 1990s. Designed to give the wearer the ultimate boob control, this style of bikini is perfect for women of all cup sizes looking for an extra cleavage boost and support.
Best suited for: Ladies blessed with larger bosoms who need more support, or for a lift.
Style tip: If you have a large chest, opt for an underwire bikini that has straps that crosses at the back to prevent swimsuit straps from cutting into your shoulders. If you prefer something strapless, look for a bandeau style that has side boning and thicker straps to keep the ladies in place and prevent slipping.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)
Fake it till you make it – if you have a smaller chest, definitely opt for a fringe or flounce bikini as it’ll give the illusion of volume in the front without having to turn to thick and uncomfortable padding that can appear too “fake”.
Best suited for: Ladies with smaller chests.
Style tip: A fringe or flounce bikini with a scoop neck or halter style will accentuate your clavicle, and you can always add padding to give the ladies a boost. A tastefully designed fringe or flounce bikini looks dressier than plainer styles, making them perfect for poolside or beach parties.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)
This 1940s retro-inspired bikini style has made a comeback in a huge way over the last few years, providing respite to ladies more conscious of their lower tummy area (hey, we can’t all have beach goddess abs). With the rise of vintage-inspired fashion of late, we can totally get onto this bandwagon!
Best suited for: Ladies who want to hide a fleshier tummy and love handles.
Style tip: Opt for a high waist bikini in a darker colour to slim down your hips. If you are looking for more tummy control, choose a high waist bottom in a thicker fabric to hold everything in place. Do note that thicker fabrics can add more volume to your lower half, so choose a style with some paneling or rouching detailing to avoid it looking too much like a diaper.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)
Did you know that the oh-so-popular monokini was first designed in the 1960s? The original design actually featured bare breasts, and despite harsh critics from the fashion crowd, sold out in record time! Lucky, modern designs feature much more modest coverage, and is characterized by a connected bikini top and bottom with a piece of fabric at the either the front or back.
Best suited for: Athletic physiques looking to enhance their curves.
Style tip: If your body shape is more rectangular, give the illusion of an hourglass figure by opting for a monokini with strategic cut outs at the side. A monokini in a darker colour with a connecting piece of fabric in the front can also give the illusion of a flatter tummy.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)
Tri-what? For those of you who’ve never heard of a trikini, it is basically a bikini that is similar to a monokini – a top and bottom connected by a piece of fabric in the front. The only difference is, these tend to be a lot skimpier! Modern styles even do away with the front panel of fabric and replace it with strings instead.
Best suited for: Ladies with taut hourglass figures and a firm bosom that doesn’t require too much support.
Style tip: This number can be tricky to wear, given the scant amount of fabric. The key to picking the perfect trikini is to ensure that the top and bottom half stay in place even after moving around a lot, as you don’t want to be constantly tugging! Some styles come with molded cups, perfect if you need extra support.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)
Made popular by cult swimwear label Triangl, this style of bikini features less booty coverage, making it ideal if you’re looking to emphasize your derriere. Do note that you might want to choose a thicker fabric as it stays in place better, and you won’t have to be dealing with wedgies after every swim!
Best suited for: Ladies with a smaller and flatter bum.
Style tip: Choosing a thicker fabric like neoprene can give your butt the extra lift it needs, and opt for brightly coloured or patterned bottoms to give the illusion of volume.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)
Inspired by 1980’s swimwear (think Pamela Anderson in Baywatch), you’ve seen them on It Girls like Kylie Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Hailey Baldwin who swear by this style of swimsuit. A high legged bikini cuts higher at the pelvic bone to give the illusion of longer legs, a smaller waist and fuller hips, making it the perfect style for most body types.
Best suited for: Petite ladies, or ladies looking to elongate their legs.
Style tip: If you have a fuller figure, choose a one-piece or bikini in a darker colour for a guaranteed slimming effect. This style of bikini can give you annoying tan lines, so watch your sunscreen! PS: this style is super popular at the moment.
Don’t know your body type? It’s easy to find out by reading: Here’s your ultimate guide to the different body types (and how to dress them)