Summer is here and things are finally starting to warm up here in LA, which means only one thing: BIKINI SEASON.  Being a fan of the sun and the beach, it probably comes as no surprise that I have an OBSESSION for bikinis.  Seriously, shoes to Carrie Bradshaw = Bikinis to ME.  For a good reason though! Growing up, I spent EVERY single summer day at the beach, so I needed a lot of them.  Also, during college in Miami I spent the majority of my time poolside, beachside, or on a boat, so bikinis have always been a closet staple for me.   

Even though I’ve spent more time in swimwear than the average person, doesn’t mean I haven’t struggled with body image and confidence issues.  This is still something I struggle with as I know a lot of women do!  

One thing that has helped is accepting and embracing my body shape and learning how to choose swimwear that flatters it.    I am never going to have legs for days, but I have nice arms and a round booty, so I chose to accentuate those assets! 

In college, I interned for Glamour magazine’s annual bikini body issue where I was fortunate enough to learn a lot about choosing and style bikinis to flatter your body type.  I was introduced to many different designers and learned about fabrics and materials.   I decided to spill my experiences and knowledge with swimwear in one comprehensive bikini guide!  

Retailers I Shop for Bikinis & Swimwear

Nowadays, when shopping for swimwear you need to be careful.  There are many fly-by-night companies popping up all over Instagram that advertising free or extremely cheap sets.  Does it seem too good to be true? It probably is!  A lot of these companies knock off designer brands and use those company’s images to advertise/sell their knock-offs.  When these knock-off pieces arrive (usually weeks later because many come from China,) they usually look nothing like what was advertised.  The following are all reliable retailers that have a huge selection of swimwear and offer return options.

• Revolve: I love shopping for swimwear on Revolve because they have a HUGE range of designers and styles, some you can’t find anywhere else.  Also, they have greater filters which makes it easy to sort by style, size, and fit to find what works best for you.  The best part is the 2 -day shipping and FREE returns – a great option especially if you are in a time crunch for an upcoming trip. Make sure you search under sale, they have great sales on previous seasons bikinis that are still super cute and in style!
• Swimwear World: Swimwear World has another large selection of designers and labels from all over the world.  They have some crazy sales (25-45% off) where you can score BIG, so I suggest signing up for their newsletter. Shipping is free over $100 and free returns within 20 days. 
• South Beach Swimsuits: Similar to Swimwear world, they have a sizable selection of swimwear and some MEGA sales on NEW ARRIVALS.   Last year I scored a brand-new designer styles at 50% off.  That’s crazy!  They have free shipping over $49 and free returns within 20 days.
• Luxe Cartel: Luxe Cartel has an excellent curated collection of some very high-end designers that are more difficult to find.  Definitely the most upscale and pricy of the list, but worth it if you are looking for something that is going to wow.  When styles on bigger retailers like Revolve and Swimwear sell out of my wish list pieces, I can usually count on Luxe Cartel to still have them in stock.  They also have free shipping and returns.
• Swim Outlet: Swim Outlet has is a mega retailer that sells every type of swimwear to imagine.  From speedos, to men’s suits, you can find anything here, ALL significantly discounted.  They have a pretty big selection of high-end swim brands too.  Most of the styles are from 2-3 seasons ago, but if you are looking for timeless high quality pieces that won’t go out of style, you can score discounts in the 75% range!

My Favorite Bikini & Swimwear Designers & Brands

Warning: Most of this list contains designer swimwear are high price points, but in my opinion, worth the investment.  You can rely on these brands to produce swimwear that’s designed to flatter, and to last!  They all use high quality materials that won’t fade or get destroyed after a few wears.  Many of the styles you see on sites like Zaful rip-off the these labels but fall completely short in terms of cut, style, color, and fabric quality. 

• Montce Swim: Montce is probably one of my favorite brands because all their styles are cut to flatter!  No matter your body type, Montce has a unique style that will accentuate your best assets.  They have an array of gorgeous prints and colors you can easily mix and match with one another to make the perfect suit. They come out with a new resort, spring, and summer collection each year and all their pieces are made to mix and match! 
• Sommer Swim: The brand was inspired by the “European chic summer” and its evident.  All pieces are made from luxury Italian fabrics that exude a sophisticated European look and feel.  Their collections are timeless.  All styles have a minimalist quality, but their fabrics and color options make them stand out from other labels.  I can’t say enough about their fabric. I haven’t found a brand who has anything quite similar.  Also, all the cuts are designed to flatter as well, even the skimpiest of ones!
• Blue Life: I own a lot of blue life swimwear and for a good reason.  All of their styles are very boho chic and sexy, so you definitely stand out –but in a good way.  I think they are best known for their quality tie-dye pieces that have the most gorgeous colors and patterns. 
• Lahana Swim: Lahana Swim hales from Australia, the land that knows how to make a good high-cut bikini bottom! Inspired by the salty tropical beaches along the East Coast, their styles and prints are always on trend and figure flattering!
• Indah: Indah is another bohemian luxe label that is known for some of their risqué yet flattering styles.  The design and produce everything in house in their eco-friendly factory in Bali.  Every year they continue to wow with their new collection of beautiful and unique prints. 
• Luli Fama: I swear Luli Fama bikini bottoms are like the jeans from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, they make every booty look good.  They have the perfect cheek cuts that help accentuate any behind.  Their bold colors, and vibrant patterns are fun for vacations somewhere tropical!

Best Bikinis for Your Body Type

Thanks to the advent of the Internet and social media, the swimwear industry has exploded.  It feels like only yesterday the Victoria Secret catalog, department stores, and the few and far brick and mortar swim boutiques were our only options for shopping for bikinis.  Now there are new online retailers and brands popping up every week.  This has made the competition fierce, perpetuating an explosion of creativity in the industry, gifting us with more styles and options than ever!  The days of choosing between the classic triangle bikini and the “one-piece” are over.  Designers are inventing new styles aimed at flattering ALL shapes and sizes.  With so many options to choose from, it can make the whole shopping experience a little confusing and overwhelming.   Here are some tips on what to look for when choosing a bikini depending on your shape:

Best Bikinis for Short Legs

I know it sounds crazy, but if you are petite and have short legs like myself, fabric is not your friend.  The more leg exposed, the longer they appear.  My go-to style is what I call “V” bottoms:  high-cut legs with a low-cut front in the shape of a “V” or “U”.  You can opt for whatever varying degree the shape dips in the front, but you will most likely want to avoid bottoms that cut straight across at your hips, which makes them appear wider.  The higher the strap sits on your leg, the longer it looks.   Thin side straps or ones that tie on the side are ideal because it helps give a more streamlined look.  Ultra high-rise style bottoms that sit on the narrowest part of your waist are the exception, as long as they have a high cut leg.  This is because the large amount of fabric draws your eye upward away from your legs and to the smallest part of your body.  Also refrain from ruffle details or embellishments to avoid the eye from focusing on this region.   

One piece suits, or tops that have a wrap or tie detail at the waist are also a great style for my fellow short-legged petite friends as this too draws the attention upward to the narrowest part of your waist.

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Best Bikinis for Short Torsos

If you have a short torso, you want to expose as much of your chest and neckline as possible so the eye can see a clear line of exposed skin from your neck to your hips which helps elongate the front of your body.   With the exception of bandeau tops, avoid tops that cut straight-across your chest, as this cuts off your torso.  Bandeau tops are the exception, especially for petites, as the lack of fabric from the entire chest area gives the eye no frame of reference to compare proportions.  

Another great style are tops with an inverted “U” or “V” shape at the center of the chest.  This helps gives the eye an unobstructed” view from chest to tummy, helping you to appear longer.   Similar to us short-legged friends, look for low-rise bottoms that have a dip “V” or “U” shape in the front as this will enhance the length of the torso. 

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Best Bikinis for Long Torsos

If you have a long torso high-waisted bikini bottoms are your BFF.  You want straight across styles that will minimize the length of exposed skin.  If you have longer legs, you can wear bottoms that cut straight across at the waist, which will help minimize the length of your torso.  Unlike short-torso gals, look for bikini tops that DO cover your chest.  Suits that cut-straight across help cut off the length of your torso to the eye and make it appear shorter. 

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Best Bikinis for Boy Shape & Athletic

If you fall into the category of the boy or athletic shape, you want to use the cuts and details of the swimsuits to create curves.  Look for cut-outs, and cross-cross ties, as these give the illusion of more curves.   Ruffles and embellishment details are also a great way to create shape.  Monokinis are a killer style, as the cut outs help draw your eye in and maximize the shape of your curves.  Skimpier bottoms that cut straight across at the widest part of your waist will also help play up your curves.

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Best Bikinis for Your Booty

I have so many friends who are scared to show off their behind and wear full coverage bottoms.  The truth is – no matter what type of booty you have, you’re doing it a disservice by keeping it under wraps!  If you have a small booty- full coverage bottoms can overpower it and just make it look droopy and saggy.   If you have a big booty- the additional fabric will just make it look even wider by hiding those amazing curves.  

Best Bikinis for Flat Bootys

The Brazilian cut gives shape to your booty and a great alternative to looking like you have a bigger butt. They don’t call it the Brazilian butt lift for nothing! Ruching and scallop detail also help gives the appearance of a rounder booty too.  A low-cut bottom with ruching or scrunching down the middle seem creates a dip at the top which helps create a curved heart-shaped behind.  Scallops or waving along the bottom cut adds shape giving the appearance of more fullness. 

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Best Bikinis for Small Bootys

It’s all about the High waisted, cheeky bottoms are your BFF.   The high waist elongates the backside, and the cheeky cut gives the booty a lift!  If you have short legs they will make them look longer from the backside – an added bonus!

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Best Bikinis for Big Bootys

Brazilian baby!  Show off what your momma gave you!  More fabric, will just make your butt look wider. Cheeky or Brazilian styles help accentuate those buns.  As someone who falls into this category, I am proud to embrace my curves!

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Accepting and embracing your body is one of the most liberating things you can do for yourself.  Once I stopped desiring and attempting to obtain longer legs (God knows how that could ever happen) I was able to see myself for who I was and stopped putting pressure on myself to achieve some false ideal.  I began embracing who I was, what I was born with, and started becoming the best version of MYSELF. I realized every body type has its pros and cons.  I may not have great legs, but I have a pretty good ass!  I learned how accentuate my ass-ets (pun intended) and flatter ones that were less desirable to me.  I gained more self-confidence which is really the best bikini tip I could ever give you. Stop comparing yourself to others.  If you love your body and display it proudly, others will stop passing judgement.  Summer is a magical time of the year that we should enjoy to the fullest.  So get out there and embrace your body because – life is really better in a bikini 😉