Here's How to Choose the Best Swimsuit for Your Apple-Shaped Body
An apple body shape means you carry weight primarily around the midsection — your shoulders and hips are similar in width, and your waist is less defined. Choosing swimwear for an apple shape is about creating a defined waist, drawing the eye toward your legs and neckline, and finding styles that provide comfortable coverage without compressing.
Here's what works.
The Best Swimsuit Styles for Apple Shapes
High-waisted bikinis are one of the best options for apple shapes. The high waistband sits at the narrowest point of the torso for most apple frames, creating definition where a standard bikini bottom would sit lower and provide less shaping. Pair with a halterneck or underwire top to balance the silhouette.
One-piece swimsuits with ruching or panelling across the midsection are excellent for apple shapes. Ruched fabric gathers across the stomach and creates texture that draws the eye away from the midsection rather than toward it. A plunge neckline on a one-piece draws attention to the collarbone and bust. Be Juliet's one-piece collection includes options in deep-plunge and open-back styles that work well for apple proportions.
Tankinis offer midriff coverage with the flexibility of separates. If you want the coverage of a one-piece but the ability to size your top and bottom independently, a tankini is the best of both.
A-line or skirted one-pieces cover the midsection and hip entirely, providing maximum coverage for those who prefer it. These work well for apple shapes who want to minimise focus on the midsection while highlighting the legs.
Best Bikini Tops for Apple Shapes
The job of your bikini top is to draw attention upward to the shoulders, collarbone, and bust.
Halterneck and underwire tops both lift the bust and draw the eye upward. Underwire tops provide the most structured support; halterneck ties create a strong vertical line from bust to neck.
Padded tops enhance the bust and create a more prominent upper body silhouette, which helps balance wider midsections.
V-neck and plunge styles lengthen the neckline and draw the eye down the centre of the body, creating a slimming vertical line.
Best Bikini Bottoms for Apple Shapes
High-cut bikini bottoms elongate the leg line, making the legs appear longer and the overall silhouette leaner. This is one of the most effective cuts for apple shapes.
High-waisted bottoms cover and contain the midsection comfortably. Look for styles with a wide, flat waistband rather than a tight elastic band that might dig in.
Avoid: ruffles, frills, or bold prints across the midsection. These add visual volume to exactly the area most apple shapes want to minimise.
Colour and Pattern Strategy
Darker or solid colours across the midsection reduce visual focus on that area. A colourful or printed top draws the eye upward. This doesn't mean you can only wear dark bikinis — it means if you want to direct attention strategically, contrast between the top and bottom is a useful tool.
FAQs: Swimsuits for Apple-Shaped Bodies
Q: What is the best swimsuit style for an apple body shape?
A: High-waisted bikinis, ruched one-pieces, and tankinis are consistently flattering for apple shapes. All three provide midsection coverage or definition while highlighting the legs and upper body.
Q: Should apple shapes wear bikinis or one-pieces?
A: Both work. A one-piece with ruching or a defined waist creates structure across the midsection. A high-waisted bikini achieves the same with more versatility. The choice comes down to how much coverage you want.
Q: What bikini top is best for an apple shape?
A: Halterneck, underwire, and padded tops all draw attention upward to the bust and shoulders. V-neck and plunge styles elongate the neckline. Avoid very thin straps with no support — these leave the upper body looking narrow.
Q: What colours work best for apple shapes in swimwear?
A: Darker or solid tones across the midsection reduce visual focus there; brighter or printed tops draw the eye up. That said, wear what you like — these are guidelines based on proportion, not prescriptions.
Q: What swimwear features should apple shapes look for?
A: Adjustable straps, mix-and-match sizing, ruching across the midsection, and high-cut or high-waisted bottoms. Avoid ruffles or bold prints across the stomach area.