With so many styles to choose from as a woman, picking out a swimsuit can quickly become very complicated: one-piece, two-piece, or trikini; red, black, or green; solid colors or patterned, etc. Just like clothing and lingerie, swimwear collections change from year to year to keep up with trends. Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t panic—we’ll break down all the different types of women’s swimsuits available today.
The One-Piece Swimsuit
In the 1920s, it was the only style on the beach. Then the arrival of the bikini relegated the one-piece swimsuit to the realm of outdated styles or those reserved for athletes and swimmers. But the world of fashion is full of surprises. Thanks to major style revamps, it has redeemed its image and returned to the forefront (of the beach) in recent years. Today, you’ll find a variety of styles—some sexy, others more modest—designed to either reveal or flatter the figure.
The Shaping One-Piece Swimsuit
It’s clear that a one-piece offers more coverage than a two-piece. A woman who’s self-conscious or wants to conceal a few curves can now choose a shapewear swimsuit. Its lined, slimming fabric helps refine the silhouette and is therefore perfect for those who want to hide a little belly or sculpt their body. However, shapewear doesn’t mean outdated. This style is now available in a wide range of colors and features pretty details such as sequins, embellishments, or even a thin belt to highlight the waist.
The Strapless One-Piece Swimsuit
This strapless swimsuit reveals the shoulders and highlights the bust and back, creating a very feminine look. It’s also very common to find this style with removable straps. This gives you the option to keep them on or take them off. The strapless swimsuit is very trendy because it beautifully accentuates the bust while providing good support. You can also easily wear a dress with thin straps over it or other clothing without any discomfort.
Want to know which swimsuit to choose based on your body type? Be sure to read our article on this topic.
The two-piece swimsuit
The arrival of the bikini in 1946 revolutionized the swimwear industry. Its subsequent appearances on screen, worn by iconic actresses of the era such as Brigitte Bardot and Marilyn Monroe, only served to boost its popularity. It even went on to dethrone the one-piece. Considered sexy, it does indeed reveal more of the body. Another advantage is that you can mix and match the top and bottom to choose the pieces you like best and that flatter your body type.
Ultimately, a bikini is similar to lingerie because there is a wide variety of styles for both the top and bottom: bras with or without underwire, with or without cups, and so on.
The triangle bikini
This is the classic bikini style and is also considered the sexiest. As its name suggests, the top has a triangular shape that particularly flatters a smaller bust. The bottoms are fairly high-cut and are typically tied with strings around the hips. The top fastens in the same way at the back and around the neck.
The bandeau swimsuit
In the two-piece version, the design remains the same as for the one-piece, except that in addition to the shoulders, the midriff is also exposed. The bandeau style is known for accentuating a full bust while providing the necessary support. Straps are generally optional, and the fastening system at the back is similar to that of a lingerie bra.
The bottom often consists of classic bikini bottoms with a more or less high-cut design, but as mentioned earlier, the advantage of the bikini is that you can choose whatever you want and create your own combination.
The push-up swimsuit
The push-up swimsuit doesn’t have a specific shape, strictly speaking. In fact, you can find push-up styles in bandeau, bralette, and even triangle cuts. What sets it apart is the presence of balconette cups and underwires. It’s therefore ideal for women with a fuller bust, as it provides all the support and comfort needed while creating a flattering neckline.
As for the bottoms, it’s the same as with a bandeau top—you can let your imagination run wild.
The Classic Swimsuit Bottom
Swimsuit bottoms are usually similar to lingerie panties. They can be more or less high-cut and differ in details such as fabric color or the presence of embellishments on the hips, for example.
The high-waisted swimsuit
High-waisted swimsuit bottoms have followed a similar trajectory to the one-piece swimsuit. Very fashionable in the 1930s, they subsequently fell out of favor, only to return today to the top of the fashion charts. Its slightly vintage or ultra-feminine pin-up style appeals to many women. It also flatters the figure by slimming the waist and elongating the legs. It suits all body types, which only adds to its popularity.
The thong
Viva Brazil! The tanga is the go-to swimsuit bottom for Brazilian women. A cross between a thong and briefs, it allows you to tan your lower back while covering more than a thong. It beautifully accentuates the curve of the buttocks, which is another of its advantages. Paired with a slightly sheer dress, a sarong, or other beachwear, it’s also an excellent way to showcase your curves with feminine flair.
The trikini
The trikini is a cross between a one-piece swimsuit and a bikini. It’s worn like a one-piece, except that a single strip of fabric at the front connects the top and bottom. The back, meanwhile, is bare. The trikini is a highly trendy swimsuit, as evidenced by the many styles available—each one more original than the last.
The trikini is ideal for those with a slim waist and hips, as these are the areas it highlights. The only drawback is the tan lines it may leave.
What about the tankini?
The tankini is the opposite of a trikini: it’s a two-piece swimsuit that looks like a one-piece. The bottom is a classic swimsuit bottom, while the top is actually a tank top that covers the stomach. It’s therefore particularly popular with women who don’t want to reveal too much of their bodies but still want to enjoy wearing a swimsuit. Another advantage is that you can pull the top up to tan just like you would in a bikini.
In conclusion
You’re now familiar with all the different types of swimsuits available on the market today. Whether solid-colored, featuring prints or unique patterns, or embellished with pearls, sequins, and even jewelry, you have a wide variety of styles to choose from. All that’s left is to find the one—or ones—that you like. You can also choose them based on your body type to ensure your figure is flattered on the beach, as well as based on color to find a swimsuit that complements your skin tone. Feel free to check out our other advice articles on these topics.