Life&Style

The four ‘basic’ body types are: ‘Hourglass’, ‘Pear-Shaped’, ‘Inverted Triangle’ and ‘Athletic’.

Hourglass

This is characterised as your bust being equal or very close in measurement to your hips. Often the hourglass figure will also have a small, defined waist. This shape is seemingly the perfect body shape where you can get away with most swimwear. If you’re top heavy go for a halter style or underwire offering extra support.  Don’t be afraid of bold colours to show off your balanced curves.

Celebrities with an hourglass body shape include Scarlett Johansson, Selma Hayek, Jessica Alba and Kate Winslet.

If you’re Hourglass I recommend the Speedo PristineShine or Aqua Delux.

Pear Shaped

Weight tends to be carried on the lower half of the body, normally around the hips and thighs. Bring focus to the upper part of your body with fun and pretty detailing, keeping the lower part darker and higher cut to give the illusion of a longer and leaner leg. Use colour and pattern to balance your body visually – busy patterns draw attention on top, while dark, solid colours on the bottom minimise attention. Try something with a plunging neckline or extra pattern on the upper section, slimming side-panelling detail will also help to narrow your silhouette.

Celebrities with this body shape include Kim Kardashian , Shakira, Rhianna and Eve Mendes.

If you’re Pear Shaped I recommend the Speedo Premier Flowactive.

Inverted Triangle

If you have a larger chest, you may obviously need some extra support.

Halter style tops can be a good choice by offering support while providing a great cleavage too. Look for styles that are banded around the midriff and can be tied in the back and around the neck – allowing for adjustments for a personal fit. Some structure in the bust, such as soft foam cups or at least a shelf bra will help. Straight cut bust styles such as a classic tank can look clean and sporty, wide shoulder straps will also be much more comfortable than thin, spaghetti straps and avoid high necklines and bandeau shapes which will create a uniboob!

Being top heavy can also mean you have wide shoulders and slim hips; balance is still the key word here. You will want to play up the bottom of your torso and minimise the top.

Sporty accents at the hips such as ties, belts and added detailing will help even out and balance your silhouette. Avoid the V-plunging necklines and halter necks, which will only make you seem broader.

Celebrities with this body shape include Victoria Beckham, Angelina Jolie and Kelly Brooke.

If you’re an Inverted Triangle shape I recommend the Speedo Aquagrace one piece and if you’re bigger on top, the Speedo Aqua Deluxe Seaspirit / totem.

Athletic / Boyish

This can be defined as having no waist and/or slim hips. Having strong, broad shoulders, proportional hips and the lack of a highly defined waist with not many curves, so create some by wearing a one piece suit with a high-on-the-thigh cut. A belted waistline suit will give you the appearance of a nipped in waist, or a curvy seam each side of the torso will also help add balance.  Pretty patterns and detailing will help to add a more feminine touch and balance out a more athletic frame.

Celebrities with this body shape include Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson and Kate Middleton.

If you’re an Athletic/Boyish shape I recommend the Aqua Deluxe secure Arabian Night

Learn more about Sculpture

See the Speedo Sculpture range or find out how Speedo Sculpture works