20 figure-flattering swimsuits

Shapely swimwear

Whatever your shape, size or budget, we\'ve found the perfect swimsuit (or bikini) for you. So, check out our fabulous selection of ultra flattering swimwear, guaranteed to boost confidence on the beach.

Photo: From summer collection at www.seafolly.com 

Create a narrow waist

Talk about trick of the eye! With the help of a floral panel across the midriff, this clever swimsuit creates the illusion of a narrower waist and shapely curves. We like.

Swimsuit £35

14-30

www.simplyyours.co.uk

Bust-enhancing

Or why not keep it simple with a classic black one-piece? With moulded cups and plenty of rear coverage, this swimsuit is guaranteed to flatter.

‘Riviera\' swimsuit £40

30D-38F

Panache at www.figleaves.com 

Figure-flattering style

For figure-flattering fabulousness, you can\'t beat a one-piece.  With a mesh control panel and underwired cups, this little beauty holds everything in place - and we like the cute belt detail too.

Control swimsuit £40

32-40 D-G

Lepel at John Lewis

Lepel stockists 0115 983 6000

Hide your tum

Looking for a sprinkling of red-carpet glamour? Then look no further, this eye-catching metallic cossie with elegant gathers and tummy control, is the Kate Winslet of swimwear.

‘Mirage\' swimsuit £38

34D-38E

Ballet at www.simplyyours.co.uk

Hiding your thighs?

We\'re still lovin\' the tankini, and this classy looking number has gathered cups for gentle support, and versatile drawstring pants that can be worn flat or ruched up, depending on how much thigh you want to flash.

Tankini top £35; bottoms £25

xs-xl

www.thewhitecompany.com

Enhance smaller busts

Boost confidence - and cleavage - with a foam lined, underwired bikini top. And if that\'s not enough to win you over, the fold-over pants have tummy flattering properties too.

Bikini top £60; pants £37

Rasurel at www.figleaves.com

Figure-smoothing

No need to cover this sassy swimsuit up - with tummy control and extra support it\'s guaranteed to shape and smooth any figure.

Belted bodyshaping swimsuit £29.50

8 - 22

www.marksandspencer.com

Good for big busts

For fabulous swimwear in larger cup sizes, we recommend lingerie brand, Freya.  Take this polka dot underwired bikini for instance, it\'s supportive, sexy and guaranteed to get you noticed.

‘Darling Harbour\' bikini top £30; brief £18

Top 30D-36E, 30-34F; brief XS-XL

www.freyaswimwear.com

Figure enhancing

Attract more than just the birds and the bees in this cute sunflower print swimsuit. The shoestring halter neck is a nice touch and moulded removable pads enhance the figure.

Super sunflower swimsuit £45

8-20

www.boden.co.uk

For bigger busts

Thanks to the experts at Shock Absorber, serious swimmers can reduce breast bounce (research shows that significant movement does occur) by opting for swimwear with integrated sports bra technology.

Swimsuit with integrated sports bra £39.50

30-38 B C D DD E FF G

www.shockabsorber.co.uk

By Zandra Rhodes

First Twiggy, now Zandra Rhodes... M&S have brought another one of our favourite icons back into fashion. This summer sees the legendary designer launch a collection of original 70s prints - and the good news? It\'s not all pink!

Paisley swimsuit £29.50

Scarf £22

8-18

Zandra Rhodes for M&S

www.marksandspencer.com 

Easy-to-wear

We\'re very fond of polka dots and so is Johnny Boden. Which is why we\'re not surprised to find this super-cute halter neck in his swimwear collection this summer.

Boyleg swimsuit £45

8-20

www.boden.co.uk

Give yourself curves!

A sassy cut out swimsuit gives the illusion of curves, and make the most of a boyish figure.

Cut-out swimsuit £55

8-16

Sunseeker Australia at King\'s Road Sporting Club, 020 7589 5418

Instant style

Forget gastro pub ready meals and multipack knickers, M&S have come up with this super stylish bikini - and it\'s gone straight to the top of our shopping list!

Bikini top £19.50; Bottoms £15

8-18

www.marksandspencer.com

Retro style

For those of us who\'d rather not let it all hang out, fifties style swimwear is the future. Hooray then for Toast whose polka dot bather is one summer classic worth splashing out on.

Polka dot bather £65

8-18

www.toast.co.uk

Two-way bra

Animal print adds a touch of va va voom to any summer wardrobe. So why not go wild in an embellished zebra print bikini? The nifty balconette top has a two-way strap that can be worn as a halter neck.

Zebra balconette top £16; pants £14

10-22

www.bhs.co.uk

Best for glamour

More glamour than the X factor panel, this lightly padded halter top bikini has elegance written all over it. Oh you know what we mean...

‘Manhattan\' bikini £50

32-38 B-D

Triumph; 01793 720 232

Tribal style

Proving that the tribal trend looks just as good on the beach as the catwalk....

Embellished underwired bikini top £16: Briefs £12

Top 32-38 A-D; briefs 6-22

www.next.co.uk

Cool chic

Some of our favourite swimwear comes from the Australian lifestyle brand, Seafolly. And this year we\'re awarding them top prize for the best named two piece, the striking and aptly titled,  ‘To dye for\' bikini. Perfect.

Bikini top £34; pants £34

www.seafolly.com

Hello sailor!

Opt for nautical blue and white, and make a splash poolside!

Carnivale bikini top £36; tie-side pant £28

8-16

Sunseeker Australia at King\'s Road Sporting Club 020 7589 5418

Cover up

Ditch the sarong - and opt for a pair of handy beach pants instead. Perfect for the trip to and from the beach and smart enough for cocktails round the pool.

Bikini top £34; roll-up pants £45

www.seafolly.com

Cool accessories

Just like Sol Campbell, this canvas beach bag is big, practical and strong. It\'s not bad looking, either! Other things we like  - it\'s made from organic cotton and has a handy zipped purse on the inside.

Canvas beach bag £35

www.toast.co.uk

More great summer ideas

Stylish summer sandals that won\'t hurt your feet

Shape up - the flat tummy eating plan

Perfect picnics for great days out