Body advice, Tips, Tricks and guides
Remember this body as you see it TODAY, not yesterday's or tomorrow's.
Be Honest with What you see....
Whether you are a size 2 or a 2X, your bust, waist and hip areas will either have curves, some curves or the areas might be more linear in shape.
Think of your body type as your "outside lines." Use this outside line or silhouette to make appropriate swimwear style choices. You will look better; feel better about yourself and save money if you let your curves be your guide.
Can you imagine Dolly Parton wearing a housecoat or a boxy jacket? The look would be unflattering to her curvaceous body! Being realistic about your outside lines brings harmony to your personal image
The first thing a woman should focus on is the area she'd like to downplay
Learning how to camouflage and de-emphasize these areas are made easier today with the wide selection of silhouettes, fabrics and styling offered by ZENASWIMWEAR. For instance, halter necklines and patterns on the bodice draw the eye up, away from the hips. Colorblocked Side Panels add curves and elongate the body. Read more Tips below !
10 Swimwear Solutions
For All Body Types
Problem
Solution
De-Empasize a Feature
Use Solid Darker Colors
Illusion of a Larger Bust
Use frills, contrasting fabric or embellishments that create emphasis on that area
Emphasize a Feature
Use Bright Colors or Patterns
Medium to Dark Complexion
Consider wearing bright colors. Bright colors on a dark complexion don’t run the risk of looking washed out
Create Illusion of Less Volume
Select swimsuits that use ruching or paneling. These have the ability to disguise larger areas
Highlight a Fair or Pale Complexion
Use dark rich tones that contrast with your skin tone
Broaden an Area
Use horizontal stripes or big, bold prints and patterns
Lengthen Legs
Choose a swimsuit with high cut leg openings
Minimize a fuller bottom
Choose swimsuits with a slightly cheeky cut
Draw Attention
Add Embellishments to whichever body feature you prefer.
Important Notes when buying Swimwear
Bust Support
Give your ample breasts an extra bit of support. With Larger Breasts, you're going to need adequate support. The best option would be a wired Zena Suit. or maybe a shelf bra with underlying elastic and addition of an underwire. ZenaSwimwear also offers you the option of choosing a wider strap, which we recommend to all women who are a D+ size.
If you're smaller breasted, a bandeau style or halter top with soft cups or even a strapless style may work best, although a strapless style may be impractical if you plan on swimming laps in the pool.
Colors & Fabrics
A general rule for good swimsuit flattery is to use darker colors on areas you would like to slim and understate and lighter and brighter colors on areas you would like to highlight (this rule also applies to general fashion). While a black swimsuit will likely do the trick for slimming your body, you may be able to do even better by using swimsuit colors wisely.
For example, if you would like to de-emphasize your hips, try pairing dark or black bikini bottoms with a light-colored bikini top. The light color will draw attention and eyes toward your bust and away from your hips. Another good slimming trick is to look for a Tankini in a generally bright color with darker insets on the sides. The insets will make your figure look thinner and more toned.
Prints & Patterns
When looking at prints, pay attention to the color, size, and placement of the print. Prints on a darker background are more slimming. In addition, prints with allover swirls will stop the eye from focusing on any one area of the body.
Vertical stripes have an elongating effect, making the body appear taller and slimmer.
Diagonal patterns, such as chevron or diagonal stripes, can create the illusion of a slimmer waist or a more hourglass-like shape.
Small-scale prints, like polka dots or small florals, tend to be more versatile and can be flattering on different body shapes.
Strategically placed patterns can be used to enhance or downplay certain areas. For example, patterns placed at the waist can create the illusion of a more defined waistline, while patterns at the shoulders can draw attention upward.
Details
Details on a bikini, such as Bows, Trims, Ruching, Gathers, and Ties will all grab attention. Use them wisely on an area of the body you would like to draw attention to and gain the benefit of drawing attention away from less desirable characteristics.
Coverage
An often-misunderstood rule of swimsuit coverage is the fact that less is often more. Looking for more coverage in a swimsuit is not always the best way to deal with figure flaws. Using huge amounts of fabric to cover a large derriere may actually draw unwanted attention to that very section of the body. For example, women with wide hips often assume that the skirted swimsuit is the best style option for them. However, the skirt quite often ends at the widest part of the hips or thighs, serving only to make the area appear larger. A much better bet is to choose bikini bottoms with slightly higher cut leg openings that will elongate and slim the hips and thighs. As long as a swimsuit fits comfortably and highlights desirable characteristics, bare is almost always more beautiful.
Swim & Sun
If you plan on swimming laps in the pool for exercise, a fitted Tankini or One Piece style is probably your best choice. If you'll be spending most of your time in a beach chair or walking along the shoreline, you can choose a less practical and more stylish type of swimsuit
Swimwear & your body type
HourGlass Body Shape
If you have an Hourglass shape, you are curvy overall with a defined waist. Your hips and shoulders are similar width with a medium to large bust. Your legs are full at the thighs and rear, while your lower legs are slim and shapely. This shape is considered rare, with only an estimated 8% of women having this figure.
Goal: to accentuate the waist and lower legs, elongate the silhouette
- Avoid wearing mismatched tops and bottoms. This can make an hourglass body look disproportional
- Color blocking is a great way to accent your curves
- Underwire swimsuits can offer support for the chest
- High cut leg swimsuits will lengthen your legs
- An asymmetrical bathing suit will keep the eyes focused upward
- Higher Waisted bottoms or shorts with waistbands to highlight your curves and accentuate your waist
Pear | Triangle Body Shape
The Triangle body type is often referred to as Pear-shaped. You have this shape if... Your full bust-line is proportionally narrower than your full hip-line and you have a well defined waist. You typically have narrow shoulders and most likely have a balanced body. Your thighs are typically full and You may also have a full rounded bottom
Goal: To balance out, emphasizing your top half and drawing the attention away from your hips
- - Wear higher cut plain briefs to elongate the legs
- - Wear dark colors on your bottom half to minimize the hip area
- - Wear bright attractive colors and accessories on your top half, such as beads, ruffles and buckles
- - A padded bikini with cups will make you breasts seem bigger
- - Choose a ‘Princess’ cut for your bikini top or a halter style tops to broaden the shoulders
- - A Tankini style top with square neck will also draw the attention away from your hips
Inverted Triangle Shape
Women with an Inverted Triangle body shape typically feature a fuller bust, waist, and upper back, paired with narrower hips and a flatter backside. This silhouette often presents a top-heavy appearance, characterized by broad shoulders and a bust that is proportionally larger than the hips. The lower body--including the hips, thighs, buttocks, and calves--tends to be slimmer in comparison to the upper half. Additionally, some may have a more pronounced tummy or midriff area, while maintaining slender arms and legs.
Goal: The goals are to balance the upper and lower torso, slenderize shoulders and bust, and accentuate thighs, hips and legs.
1. - Balance Cleavage for a Sexy Yet Classy Look.....Aim to showcase a tasteful amount of cleavage to accentuate your curves without appearing overly revealing. This creates a harmonious blend of allure and sophistication.
2. - Opt for a V-Neck One-Piece Swimsuit. This style is ideal for a fuller bust, as the V-neckline subtly highlights cleavage while elongating the torso. The one-piece design creates a streamlined, lengthened silhouette.
3. - Select Styles with Thick Halter Tops or Wide Bands. Swimsuits featuring thick halter straps or wide chest bands provide structured support, distribute weight evenly, and enhance the bust’s natural shape for a flattering fit.
4. - Prioritize Underwire for Bust Support. Underwire swimsuits offer added lift and structure, ensuring comfort and confidence. They combine functional support with a polished, stylish appearance.
Oval Body Shape
With this Body Shape you have the overall appearance of being round especially around the wiast-line. Your waistline is undefined You have a large, low stomach You may have "love handles" Your hips are wide Your upper thighs are full You may also have a full bottom or a flat bottom
Goal: The goals for women with an Oval body type are to balance the upper and lower torso, slenderize shoulders and bust, and accentuate thighs, hips and legs.
- Prioritize Support with Underwire Bras: to provide lift, structure, and enhanced bust support.
- Choose Longer Tankinis to Slenderize the Torso: styles that fall moderately longer to create a streamlined silhouette and visually elongate the midsection.
- Opt for One-Piece Swimsuits with Side Panels: Side panels or strategic color-blocking on one-piece suits create the illusion of a narrower, more balanced torso.
- Select Tops That Flatter the Midsection: styles that gently skim the belly area to conceal while maintaining comfort.
- Emphasize Empire Waist Designs: Swimsuits with empire waistlines (raised seams just below the bust) draw attention upward, highlighting the upper body and minimizing focus on the belly.
- Use Monochromatic Color Schemes. Pair matching or tonal colors for the top and bottom to create a cohesive, elongating effect, particularly in the tummy area.
rectangle | Athletic Body Shape
This body type features balanced proportions between the bust and hips, with minimal waist definition. The limbs--arms and legs--are typically slender and proportionate, paired with a small to medium bust and sometimes accompanied by a flatter backside. While shopping for swimwear might seem straightforward for this body type, it can be surprisingly challenging to find styles that artfully create curves in areas where natural curvature is less pronounced.
Goal: To add curves by: Defining your shoulders Or, if you are slender, by accentuating your lower hips
- Opt for Low-Style Bottoms: Two-piece suits with low-cut bottoms balance proportions and add subtle flair.
- Use padded bikini tops to create the illusion of a fuller bust.
- Add trims, ties, or ruffles to hips and bust to accentuate width and mimic curves.
- Choose wide-strap tops to broaden shoulders and visually narrow the waist.
- Define Your Waist: Look for suits with ruching, gathering, or belts to create the appearance of curves.
- Avoid Flattening Styles: Skip simple bandeau tops
- Side-cutout one-pieces create an hourglass illusion.
- Ties at the hips and bust widen those areas for a balanced silhouette.
FAQ?
Use solid, darker colors or swimsuits with ruching/paneling to disguise larger areas.
Choose tops with frills, ruffles, or contrasting fabrics to add volume. Padded bikini tops or underwire styles create the illusion of volume.
Bright colors (e.g., neon, jewel tones) won’t wash you out and complement your complexion.
Opt for dark, rich tones like navy, emerald, or burgundy to contrast your skin.
High-cut leg openings elongate the legs.
Horizontal stripes or bold prints add width to narrow areas.
Cheeky-cut bottoms or dark-colored bottoms reduce visual volume.
Wear bright tops with ruffles/buckles and dark, plain bottoms.
Avoid horizontal stripes on the bottom; stick to solid dark colors.
embellished or Color blocked accents keep eyes focused on your upper half.
Use V-neck one-pieces and monochromatic colors to streamline the torso.
Underwire swimsuits or structured bandeaus offer lift and stability.
Apron Styles, Empire waistlines, and longer tankinis skim the tummy area.
Color-blocked one-pieces or Tankinis with side or waist panels contrast and mimic an hourglass shape.
Monochromatic suits or vertical prints create a streamlined look.
They provide lift for fuller busts and enhance natural shape.
They create optical illusions—dark shades minimize, bright shades emphasize.
Bottoms with ruffles, ties, or bold prints add dimension. When choosing a coverage a Straight Cut will not bag out when wet also giving some lift in this area