Once you know you have an H-shaped body type, finding the perfect swimsuit becomes a breeze. You’ll see for yourself after reading this article, which clearly outlines all the swimsuit styles designed just for you. If you’re still not sure about your body type, feel free to read our article “Which Swimsuit to Wear for Which Body Type.” There, you’ll find valuable tips to help you flatter your figure and find your perfect swimsuit. If you have an H-shaped body type, stick around—the rest of this article is for you.
What Is an H-Shaped Body Type?
If you have a rectangle or H-shaped body type, your shoulders and hips are aligned, and your waist is not very defined. Generally speaking, a woman with an H-shaped figure also has a small bottom and a fairly petite bust. To create the illusion of a slimmer waist, you’ll want to add volume to the top and bottom of your body.
Looking for tips on choosing the perfect swimsuit if you’re a woman with a small bust? Read our article on this topic.
How to Choose a Swimsuit for an H-Shaped Body Type
To flatter your straight, well-proportioned figure, choose a swimsuit that creates curves where you don’t have them and accentuates your bust. Opt for bright colors, swimsuits with prints, or those featuring unique and eye-catching patterns.
The ideal swimsuit styles for an H-shaped body type
The one-piece swimsuit
Your H-shaped body type doesn’t prevent you from wearing one-piece swimsuits—quite the opposite. You just need to choose styles that will flatter your figure:
- The one-piece swimsuit with a V-neckline: Deep, triangular necklines flatter smaller busts, which is your case. Additionally, the halter neckline helps minimize the width of your shoulders. Choosing a swimsuit with a high-cut front and back is also recommended to accentuate your hips.
- The asymmetrical one-piece swimsuit: A one-piece swimsuit with only one shoulder covered (also called a one-shoulder style), for example, will help break up your rectangular silhouette and draw attention to your bust.
- The trikini: The trikini is a unique, sexy, and very trendy swimsuit. Its asymmetrical cut at the waist will help create the illusion of a slimmer waist. Not familiar with this trendy swimsuit? Check out all our tips for choosing your trikini in our dedicated article.
The two-piece swimsuit
Many two-piece swimsuit styles flatter H-shaped body types. The advantage of choosing this type of swimsuit is that you can mix and match the top and bottom. As we mentioned earlier, it’s ideal for your body type. The swimsuit tops you should opt for are:
- The triangle bikini top: it flatters your smaller bust and slims down a rather full upper body. Go for that tiny bikini!
- The push-up, underwire, and balconette swimsuits: the first lifts smaller busts with varying levels of padding. The second provides support while creating a flattering neckline. Opt for straps that tie behind the neck to minimize the appearance of your shoulders.
If you’re a woman whose hips and buttocks aren’t very pronounced, you should choose bikini bottoms that will help you create curves:
- Bikini bottoms: The classic bikini bottoms that tie with knots on the sides are a perfect match for your body type. These low-rise bottoms and the thin straps across the hips help accentuate this part of your body.
- High-waisted bottoms: In addition to their vintage vibe, these bottoms help define your waist and make your legs look longer. High-waisted bottoms are therefore the perfect choice for your body type.
You can experiment with every color, from the brightest to the lightest, and go all out with patterns and prints. Go for swimsuits with ruffles or ruffled details—whether on the tops or bottoms—to add volume. You can also use clothing and accessories to accentuate your hips—by tying a pretty sarong, for example. Not only will you flatter your figure, but you’ll look stylish too!
Swimsuits to Avoid
Given your rectangular body shape, it’s best to avoid swimsuits that will accentuate this natural shape of your body. Solid-colored one-piece swimsuits aren’t recommended for you. The same goes for strapless one-piece swimsuits, which tend to flatten your small bust. You should also opt for halter necks rather than straight, thick straps. Bandeau-style tops, like strapless ones, won’t flatter your bust either.
While you can pull off almost any print, avoid horizontal stripes, which will accentuate your broad shoulders.
In conclusion
As you’ve probably gathered, if you’re a woman with an H-shaped body type, your main goal is to accentuate your waist and add volume to the top and bottom of your body. To do this, it’s best to choose a two-piece swimsuit with mismatched tops and bottoms. You can experiment with colors, patterns, and prints, as well as other voluminous details like ruffles or frills. Be careful, however, not to draw too much attention to your shoulders, as this can make your shoulders look broader. An asymmetrical swimsuit is a good compromise in this case. Finally, avoid bandeau or strapless swimsuits, which tend to flatten your bust. Don’t forget accessories and beachwear, which can also be great assets for accentuating your hips or highlighting your shoulders.
Would you like more tips on how to choose a swimsuit based on your body type? Feel free to browse our blog and read our other articles.