In Southeast Asia, swimsuit season never really ends, so a good bikini is a year-round purchase. Matching a style to your body shape is a useful starting point. It works best alongside what you will be doing in the water and how much coverage and support you want.
The styles below are grouped by what they do: how they frame the shoulders and bust, and how the bottoms sit. Shapes are a guide, not a rulebook. If a cut feels good, wear it.
Start with the top
Off-shoulder
This style draws the eye across the collarbone and is dressier than most. It suits those with narrower shoulders and a long neckline, and it can help balance wider hips. A single colour keeps the look clean. A mesh or criss-cross strap detail down the front adds interest for a fuller bust.
Halter
A halter ties at the neck and gives more frontal coverage and support. That makes it a sensible pick for water sports. It suits broader shoulders, because the neck-tie shortens the visual line across them. A wider band of fabric from neck to armpit covers more of the collarbone. Crochet, mesh and prints keep it fun, and the sporty cut sits well with athleisure.
Underwire
Borrowed from the underwire bra, this cut was on the market by the 1990s. It gives lift and structure, which suits a fuller bust. Straps that cross at the back take pressure off the shoulders. For a strapless look, choose a bandeau with side boning and wider bands so it stays put.
Fringe and flounce
Ruffles, fringe and layers add volume at the front without heavy padding. They suit a smaller bust. A scoop neck or halter shape shows off the collarbone, and removable padding is an option. The dressier look suits poolside parties.
Tankini
A tank-style top with regular bottoms. It stays in place better than a standard bikini, so it works for swimmers, surfers and anyone who dislikes constant adjusting. It is also practical during pregnancy and for bathroom stops. It suits every body shape, and you can mix and match pieces. Shirring or ruffles add texture, while a streamlined cut is sleeker.
Then choose the bottom
Low-cut (hipster)
These bottoms sit a couple of inches lower than a regular bikini, usually in a string style. A lower tie makes the torso look longer, so this suits shorter torsos. The adjustable sides are handy if you wear low-rise shorts and want to avoid awkward tan lines.
High-leg
A cut that rises at the hip bone and takes its cue from 1980s swimwear. It lengthens the leg line and suits petite frames or anyone who wants that effect. The cut can leave sharper tan lines, so apply sunscreen carefully.
High-waist
This retro cut dates to the 1940s and has returned in force in recent years. It gives more midsection coverage and suits anyone who wants it. A darker shade looks more streamlined. Thicker fabric gives more hold, but panelling or ruching stops it looking flat or bulky.
Skirtini
A regular top with a short skirted bottom. It was billed as a hot swimwear trend in 2007 and is seen less often now. It gives more coverage over the hips and thighs, so it suits a pear shape. Choose a hem that falls just below the widest point of the hip and a lower waistline, to avoid extra volume. Avoid stiff fabrics.
Brazilian-style cheeky cuts
Cheeky bottoms were popularised by the label Triangl and offer less coverage at the back. They suit a smaller, flatter bottom. Thicker fabrics such as neoprene hold their shape better and avoid wedgies. Bright colours or prints add visual volume.
One-piece hybrids
Monokini
The monokini first appeared in the 1960s as a topless design that critics disliked but that sold out quickly. Modern versions are much more modest. They join top and bottom with fabric at the front or back. For a rectangular shape, side cut-outs create the look of a defined waist. A darker colour with a front panel gives a smoother line.
Trikini
A skimpier cousin of the monokini, with top and bottom joined by a thin panel or even strings. It offers very little fabric, so it suits a firm bust that needs little support. Test it for movement before buying. Moulded cups help if you want more structure.
Ruched and supportive styles
These are made in thicker fabric, with ruching down the front and sides, to lift and hold. They suit plus-size wearers and anyone who wants more support, and they stay comfortable from swimming to lounging. Dark single colours are a safe choice, but small prints such as micro polka dots or thin vertical stripes work too.
A quick way to shop
- Active day: tankini, halter or a supportive ruched piece.
- Party at the pool: off-shoulder or fringe.
- More coverage: high-waist, skirtini or monokini.
- Fuller bust: underwire, with crossed back straps.
- Smaller bust: flounce or fringe, with padding if you like.
Try pieces separately where you can. Many of these styles are sold as mix-and-match tops and bottoms, so each half can suit its own fit needs.