I love you, I don’t love you anymore, I love you… While the one-piece swimsuit has seen its popularity rise and fall in women’s fashion, it has been enjoying a resurgence in popularity in recent years. One-piece swimsuits are reinventing themselves and keeping up with the latest trends. They’re now available in a variety of colors—black, red, and white—in solid colors, patterns, or prints, in sizes ranging from XS to XL, and at every price point. The selection available to women today is vast, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by so many different options. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of the one-piece swimsuit and the various styles available today to help you choose the one that best suits your body type.
A Brief History of the One-Piece Swimsuit
It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the one-piece swimsuit, as we know it today, made its debut on the beach. However, seeing a woman’s body so exposed was a major novelty, and it didn’t sit well with men. Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman, the first woman to dare wear one, was fined. This highly publicized incident helped popularize the one-piece swimsuit among women.
The end of World War I marked the rise of seaside resorts and beach vacations for the aristocracy. A few years later, in 1936, paid vacation time made it easier for middle-class French men and women to visit the beaches. Meanwhile, the one-piece swimsuit became increasingly form-fitting, eventually resembling the tight-fitting outfit worn by Annette Kellerman—without puffed sleeves or pants.
The arrival of the bikini turned all the conventions upside down, and many women decided to opt for the two-piece swimsuit. The one-piece swimsuit thus fell out of favor. It was considered old-fashioned or associated with swimming. But here’s the thing: fashion is a never-ending cycle. What’s more, the retro or vintage look appeals to younger generations of women: the one-piece swimsuit and high-waisted bottoms are making a strong comeback.
The Benefits of the One-Piece Swimsuit
The one-piece swimsuit suits every woman: whether short or tall, with a small or fuller bust—all body types and sizes can wear it. The only requirement is choosing the right style—one with the right cutouts at the neckline (front and back) and hips to flatter your figure. Plus, it helps slim the figure and make your legs look longer. Another benefit of wearing a one-piece swimsuit for women is freedom of movement. So you can play beach volleyball on the beach, try a water sport, or go swimming without worrying about your swimsuit coming undone or looking outdated—quite the opposite, in fact. Today, a one-piece swimsuit can be just as sexy as a bikini.
Finally, a one-piece swimsuit can double as an outfit and take on the look of a bodysuit by slipping on shorts, pants, or a skirt over it. You can then go from the beach or pool to the city in no time.
Different Styles of One-Piece Swimsuits
One-piece swimsuits with different necklines
The current selection of one-piece swimsuits is vast, offering a variety of neckline styles—both in the front and the back.
At the front, the neckline can be:
- A V-neck that’s more or less plunging,
- A rounded neckline, again with varying degrees of depth,
- A straight neckline,
- With an asymmetrical neckline: a single strap on one side.
As for the back, the neckline can again be more or less plunging. It can feature a completely bare back or be embellished with additional straps or bows. As for the straps, they can be thin or thick, single or double.
To choose the swimsuit that flatters you the most, select one that best suits your body type. Thus, the smaller the bust, the deeper the neckline can be. You can find a one-piece swimsuit with underwire to provide support for a fuller bust. The high-cut design at the hips—whether high or low—suits all women.
The Triangle One-Piece Swimsuit
This swimsuit features a V-neckline. If you have a smaller bust, this is the perfect choice for you! This style has the advantage of accentuating smaller breasts. Without underwire, it can be tied like a bikini by knotting the straps at the neck or feature straight straps.
The Strapless One-Piece Swimsuit
The strapless one-piece swimsuit is the one-piece version of the bandeau top found in a two-piece swimsuit. This style is particularly well-suited for women with a fuller bust because it provides excellent support while creating a flattering neckline. The cups may be removable, as may the straps, which are often thin. Additionally, depending on the style, it may feature underwire or balconette cups. All you need to do is choose the strapless one-piece swimsuit that suits you best and makes you feel most comfortable.
The Shaping One-Piece Swimsuit
As the name suggests, the shapewear one-piece swimsuit helps sculpt the body and minimize those little insecurities. Thanks to its sculpting effect, it flattens the tummy and conceals small bulges.
Shapewear doesn’t have to mean old-fashioned, though. Rest assured, the wide range of shapewear one-piece swimsuits currently offered by brands will help you look like a mermaid. These days, a shapewear swimsuit is just as trendy as any other two-piece swimsuit and can even be just as sexy as a bikini. It’s often chosen in black because that color is known for its slimming effect. However, you can certainly choose one in a bright color, with a pattern or print—the sculpting effect will still be the same. You know what you need to do if you want a flat stomach on the beach this summer.
Want to learn more about the slimming effect of this swimsuit? Read our article “Choosing a Slimming One-Piece Swimsuit.”
Trikini, tankini—what are they?
To stay on trend, don’t hesitate to try a trikini. It’s a cross between a one-piece swimsuit and a bikini. In fact, it slips on like a one-piece but reveals almost as much of the body as a bikini. A woman with a fairly flat stomach can pull off a trikini because that’s where the eye is drawn. In fact, only a thin strip of fabric connects the top and bottom of the swimsuit, revealing the waist and part of the stomach. The back, meanwhile, is very revealing. This style of swimsuit is known for being just as sexy as a bikini.
The trikini is the opposite of the tankini. It’s a two-piece swimsuit that looks like a one-piece. The top and bottom are separate, but the top resembles a tank top and therefore touches the bottoms. However, it can be folded back completely to resemble a sports bra. It’s ideal for a modest woman who still wants to tan.
Which one-piece swimsuit is right for me?
You’re now familiar with the main styles of one-piece swimsuits. The question now is: which one should you choose based on your body type? It’s true that, depending on your figure, the right style will flatter you best.
Whether you have an A-shaped, V-shaped, X-shaped, O-shaped, or 8-shaped figure, be sure to read our article: “Which Swimsuit for Which Body Type?”
What colors should you choose for a one-piece swimsuit?
The choice of color for your swimsuit obviously depends on your personal taste and the look you want to achieve. For example, if you want to look slimmer or achieve a chic look, you’ll want to opt for black or dark colors such as navy blue or burgundy. Choosing a solid color helps you maintain a understated and elegant look. The ultimate in luxury and chic is, of course, white. Another factor to consider when choosing a swimsuit color is your skin tone. Whether your skin is fair, tanned, or dark, every skin tone has colors that flatter it more or less.
A swimsuit with a print or pattern can also be very trendy: vertical stripes will give you a sporty look, while polka dots will create a retro vibe. The only print to avoid is horizontal stripes, which make your figure look wider.
While the fabric of a swimsuit is almost always the same—a blend of polyamide and spandex—you can choose the texture: lurex, embossed, knitted, or openwork mesh; there’s a wide variety to choose from today.
To Sum Up
One-piece swimsuits are now available in many styles to suit every woman’s taste: a black shapewear swimsuit for a flat stomach, a sexy red swimsuit for the beach, a very chic white one for a boat trip, a patterned pink one to follow the latest trends, or a sporty style for a swimming class. No matter your size or preference, there’s a one-piece swimsuit for each of us—and at every price point.
Today, you can buy a one-piece swimsuit directly in a store or online. Many brands sell their collections online, and this doesn’t necessarily mean higher prices. In fact, many brands offer free home delivery on orders over a certain amount. Another advantage is that you’ll have faster access to products, whether they’re new arrivals or items on sale.