The Ultimate Guide to Different Types of Swimsuits & Swimwear

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Plus, expert tips on how to choose the right swimsuit for you

Co-authored by Erin Micklow and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: December 9, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Women’s One-Pieces
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• Bikini Tops
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• Bikini Bottoms
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• Men’s Swimsuits
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• Most Slimming Swimsuits
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• Choosing a Swimsuit
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

Whether you’re hitting the pool or spending a day at the beach, there are tons of swimwear styles out there for you to choose from. Luckily, we’ve compiled an extensive list of all of them here, so you know exactly what your options are! Read on for everything you need to know about women’s one-pieces, women’s bikini tops and bottoms, and men’s swimwear. We even consulted professional stylists, personal shoppers, and image consultants for expert advice on choosing the right suit for you!

Types of Swimsuits: An Overview

• One pieces: Scoop neck, V-neck, halter, strapless, asymmetrical, cut-out, lace-up, blouson, fringe, swim dress
• Bikini tops: Triangle, scoop, halter, underwire, balconette, bandeau, longline, off-the-shoulder, high neck
• Bikini bottoms: Tie-side, classic briefs, hipster, boyshort, high-cut, high-waisted, cheeky, thong, swim skirt

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Section 1 of 6:

Types of Women’s One-Piece Swimsuits

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   Scoop neck one-piece This classic style is probably what you picture when you think of a one-piece bathing suit. Scoop neck one-piece swimsuits have a similar shape to a leotard, with straps over each shoulder and a rounded U-shaped neckline. They’re super versatile and come in tons of variations—solid colors, fun patterns, athletic styles, high-cut, full-coverage, cheeky—which makes them a great choice for pretty much anyone!

   • Best for: Anybody and everybody!

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Yvette Jordan is a personal wardrobe stylist with over 15 years of industry experience, specializing in styling, organizing, and merchandising.

   Hannah Park is a professional stylist and personal shopper with experience in e-comm styling, celebrity styling, and personal styling. She runs the LA-based styling company, The Styling Agent.

   Sarah McDonald is a certified stylist and image consultant, as well as the owner of Pivotal Style, where she helps both men and women feel confident through clothing.

   Erin Micklow is a professional stylist and image consultant who has worked in the acting, beauty, and style industries for over 10 years.

   Jordan Stolch is an image consultant, style advisor, and the founder of MiKADO, a concierge personal styling firm.
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   V-neck one-piece V-neck one-pieces are another classic style featuring straps over each shoulder, but in this case, the neckline plunges in a more exaggerated V-shape. This design is perfect if you want to draw attention to your chest or decolletage area, and it’s also a great choice for those with broader shoulders. “If your shoulders are wider than your hips, then having a plunge neckline will be helpful because it will draw attention to the center of your body and away from your shoulders,” explains personal wardrobe stylist Yvette Jordan.

   • Best for: Inverted triangle or apple body shapes.
   • Not sure what your body type is? Check out this helpful guide!
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   Strapless one-piece Strapless one-pieces are exactly what they sound like— one-piece bathing suits without any straps. Often, these swimsuits come in a bandeau style, with the neckline going straight across the chest, but there are strapless one-pieces with more of a vintage-inspired sweetheart neckline, too. Since these swimsuits don’t have straps for support, they tend to work best for people with smaller chests.

   • Best for: Hourglass body shapes and those with smaller busts.
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   Halter one-piece Halter one-pieces have straps that either tie or clasp at the back of the neck, leaving the shoulders and back open. Since this style draws the eyes toward the neck and the center of the body, it works super well for those with broad shoulders. According to professional stylist Erin Micklow, a halter-top with thicker straps is also a particularly great option for those with larger busts.

   • Best for: Those with broader shoulders or large busts.
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   Asymmetrical one-piece Asymmetrical one-pieces have a single shoulder strap on one side, leaving the other side bare. These stylish, modern-looking suits are perfect if you want to make a bold statement at the beach or pool. An asymmetrical neckline draws the eye upward, so it works especially well for those with pear-shaped bodies. The silhouette also accentuates curves and softens shoulders, so it looks great on those with hourglass and inverted triangle shapes, too.

   • Best for: Pear, inverted triangle, and hourglass body shapes.
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   Cutout one-piece Cutout swimsuits have areas of fabric “cut out” of them, leaving your bare skin exposed. These unique bathing suits are fun and eye catching, and they come in both dramatic and subtle styles. For example, some feature cutouts in the chest area, others have cutouts going down the sides, and others have cutouts in several different places.

   • Best for: Side cutouts look great on pear body shapes.
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   Lace-up one-piece These one-pieces have lace-up details in the front or back, kind of like a corset. Some even have lace-up designs on each side around the hip area. Since these suits are adjustable and come in so many different variations, they flatter just about any body shape! Lace-up suits also have a very feminine and alluring vibe, so they’re a great option if you want something super pretty.

   • Best for: Anyone!
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   Fringe one-piece This swimsuit style features decorative fringe somewhere on the suit. The fringe is usually across the neckline, but some suits feature fringe around the hip, leg, or waist area, too. Fringe swimsuits are a fun, unique, and eye-catching option! They also create the illusion of more fullness or curves, so they work very well on athletic or rectangular body types.

   • Best for: Rectangle body shapes.
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   Blouson one-piece A blouson one-piece is a swimsuit with a loose, breezy top that fits like a blouse. The drapey fit of these suits looks lovely on any body type, but it’s an excellent option if you want something that fits a little looser over your tummy area.

   • Best for: Anyone!
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    Swim dress A swim dress is like a mini dress, but made from swimsuit material. This style is a fun, feminine, and flowy option that suits just about any body type! It’s also a great choice if you’re looking for something with a little more coverage than a typical one-piece.

    • Best for: Anyone, but a swim dress with a flowy skirt is especially great for those with a pear-shaped body.
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Section 2 of 6:

Types of Women’s Bikini Tops

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   Triangle bikini top A triangle bikini top is a classic style that features two triangle-shaped pieces of fabric connected with string ties that you can adjust for your specific body shape. These tops are a bit on the skimpier side, so they’re a great choice if you want something with a little less coverage.

   • Best for: Small to medium busts.
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   Scoop bikini top Scoop bikini tops have a rounded U-shaped neckline. This type of neckline works well on all body types, but since it softens the shoulders and provides extra support for the chest, it works especially well for those with broader shoulders or a bigger bust.

   • Best for: Anyone, but especially flattering for broader shoulders and/or larger busts.
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   Halter bikini top Halter bikini tops have straps that go around the neck and either tie or clasp at the back. This style softens shoulder width, so it works super well for those who have broader shoulders. If you opt for a halter top with thicker straps, this is an especially good option for those with larger busts, too, explains Micklow.

   • Best for: Large busts and/or broader shoulders.
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   Underwire bikini top This type of bikini top has an underwire and more structured cups, which gives you the kind of support and lift you would get from a regular bra. As a result, Micklow recommends that women with larger breasts look for underwire tops to provide maximum support. You can even purchase underwire bikini tops with added push-up padding inside to amp up the cleavage!

   • Best for: Large busts.
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   Balconette bikini top A balconette bikini top has essentially the same shape as a balconette bra. This style has smaller cups that cover less of your bust, giving the appearance of more cleavage. They also have wider-set straps and underwire, creating a supported and lifted look.

   • Best for: Small to medium-sized busts.
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   Bandeau bikini top A bandeau top is a strapless bikini top that hugs the bust area. Since this style doesn’t have straps, it’s perfect for avoiding tan lines, but it also provides a little less support than other styles.

   • Best for: Small busts.
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   Longline bikini top A longline bikini top has fabric that extends further down underneath the chest, kind of like a crop top. This extra fabric provides more coverage, and it also gives a little extra support and lift, making this style perfect for those with larger busts.

   • Best for: Large busts.
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   Off-the-shoulder bikini top An off-the-shoulder bikini top features straps that sit below the shoulders, keeping the collarbone and chest area uncovered. Sometimes the straps are flat, and other times they feature frilled or flowy designs. This style adds volume and draws the eye to the chest area, so it works especially well for those with a smaller bust. “If you have a smaller chest, I would suggest the off-the-shoulder kind of top because it gives you that illusion that your breasts are a little bit bigger,” professional stylist Hannah Park explains.

   • Best for: Small busts and/or narrower shoulders.
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   One-shoulder bikini top These bikini tops have a strap that goes over just one shoulder, leaving the other bare. One-shoulder bikini tops have an asymmetrical style that is bold and unique, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for an extra eye-catching option!

   • Best for: All body types.
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    High-neck bikini top A high-neck bikini top has a neckline that extends further up your chest. This style is very high-coverage, and it also offers a ton of support, which makes it a great choice for athletic activities like beach volleyball or surfing.

    • Best for: Broader shoulders and athletic builds.
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    Tankini bikini top Tankinis are basically tank tops made out of swimsuit material, making them one of the fullest coverage options out there. Whether you’re looking to shield more skin to protect yourself from the sun, or you’re just more comfortable in a fuller coverage look, this could be the right choice for you!

    • Best for: All body types.
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Section 3 of 6:

Types of Women’s Bikini Bottoms

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   Classic brief bikini bottoms Classic brief bikini bottoms have an underwear-like shape that hugs your hips and provides a fair amount of coverage. They’re super versatile and flattering on all types of body shapes, and they also pair well with just about any style of bikini top!

   • Best for: All body types.
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   Tie-side bikini bottoms Also known as a string bikini bottom, this style has triangle strips of fabric in the front and back, all held together by ties on either side. These bottoms tend to be on the skimpier side, and they’re usually paired with triangle-string tops.

   • Best for: All body types.
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   High-cut bikini bottoms High-cut bikini bottoms have leg openings that are cut higher on the hips, exposing more of the hip bones. This gives them a retro, Baywatch-type vibe, while also elongating your legs and making you look taller.

   • Best for: Petite, pear, hourglass, and athletic body shapes.
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   Hipster bikini bottoms This style sits lower on your hips, hence the name “hipster.” They also tend to hug the hip area with a thicker band, similar to the style of classic bikini briefs.

   • Best for: Pear or athletic body types.
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   High-waisted bikini bottoms High-waisted bikini bottoms extend further up your abdomen, sometimes all the way up to your belly button. According to Park, this style is “the most flattering for a lot of women,” since it “accentuates the tiniest part of your waist.”

   • Best for: All body types.
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   Cheeky bikini bottoms Cheeky bikini bottoms offer less coverage for your backside, which makes them a great choice if you want to tan more of your bum area. They come in several different styles, from side-tie to high-cut to hipster. You can even find cheeky bikinis in a high-waisted silhouette!

   • Best for: All body types.
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   Thong bikini bottoms A thong bikini bottom is cut just like a pair of thong underwear, making this the lowest-coverage option out there. Some thong bikini bottoms have just a minuscule piece of fabric that tapers down to a string, while others have a slightly thicker piece of fabric covering a bit more of your backside. Since they leave so much of your bum exposed, they’re perfect for tanning!

   • Best for: All body types.
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   Boyshort bikini bottoms Boyshort bikini bottoms are cut like boyshort underwear, with full coverage in both the front and the back. With this type of coverage, you can rest assured that everything will stay in place and secure, which makes this style ideal for a very active day at the pool or beach.

   • Best for: Athletic body types, or anyone who wants a full-coverage option.
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   Swim skirt A swim skirt is exactly what it sounds like—a skirt made out of swimsuit material. This style is fun, feminine, and flowy, and it also offers maximum coverage if you’re looking for something a little more demure.

   • Best for: All body types.
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Section 4 of 6:

Types of Men’s Swimsuits

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1. 
   There’s a bit less variety when it comes to men’s swimwear, but there are still some incredible options to show off your unique style and vibe! Here’s a quick breakdown of the different bathing suit styles for men:

   • Classic swim trunks: Probably what you picture when you think of men’s swimwear, this style is cut like a pair of shorts with a slightly loose or roomy fit. They usually extend to just a few inches above the thigh, and they can have a button, velcro, or drawstring closure in the hip area.
   • Board shorts: This style is very similar to classic swim trunks, except they’re a bit looser and longer (hitting at or below the knee). Board shorts were originally designed to offer more freedom of movement and comfort for water sports like surfing, but they’re now worn casually, too.
   • Square-cut swim shorts: Cut similarly to boxer shorts, this piece of swimwear fully covers the wearer’s front and backside, but they’re significantly shorter than classic swim trunks or board shorts (extending to about mid-thigh).
   • Swim briefs: Also known as “Speedos,” this style is very form-fitting and offers minimal coverage. They’re cut kind of like a classic brief bikini bottom, leaving most of the thigh area exposed.
   • Jammers: Cut like bike shorts or compression shorts, jammers are usually worn by those who participate in competitive swimming.

Section 5 of 6:

What style of bathing suit is most slimming?

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1. High-waisted bottoms, darker colors, and ruched styles are the most slimming. “High-waisted is by far the most flattering if you’re wanting to do a two-piece,” explains certified stylist and image consultant Sarah McDonald. “And then dark swimsuits as opposed to lighter ones, or ones with lots of patterns. I typically like to stick with the monochromatic look,” she recommends.

   • If you want to wear a one-piece, McDonald suggests looking for a style that features ruching around the stomach area. “For a once piece, that’s bound to be flattering, because [...] that ruching is going to kind of create an illusion and be super, super slimming.”
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Section 6 of 6:

Expert Advice for Choosing a Flattering Swimsuit

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1. 1
   Take your body type into account. When picking a swimsuit, consider your body type and try to pick a suit that accentuates it. For example, if you have an inverted triangle body shape with broader shoulders, Jordan recommends a plunge neckline, which draws attention to the center of your body. If you have a pear body shape, meaning that you carry most of your weight from the hips down, Jordan suggests going with a high-waisted bikini bottom to create a line starting at your belly button. According to Jordan, it’s all about creating balance!
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   Look for high-quality fabric. “First of all, I would say that quality is the number one thing for getting a flattering swimsuit,” says McDonald. “Ones that have really nice fabrics are going to have structure, and they're going to be constructed well, and they're going to have lots of elasticity, and that is huge.”

   • Some good fabrics for swimsuits include nylon-spandex blends, polyester-spandex blends, and chlorine-resistant fabrics. These materials offer stretch, durability, and resistance to water and sun.
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   Above all, choose something you feel comfortable and beautiful in. “The number one thing for feeling confident anywhere is wearing something that’s authentically you,” says image consultant and style advisor Jordan Stolch. “The key is to wear what makes you feel like you and wear what makes you feel good.”

   • While you’re shopping for a new swimsuit, try on a bunch of different styles and give yourself lots of options, then go for the one that you feel most confident and comfortable wearing.
   • If you want, consider getting a cute sarong or cover-up to wear with your suit, too! Stolch explains that this is a great way to show off your style while also getting a little more coverage, if you’d like it.
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