Swimwear to suit every shape

Perfect swimwear

It\'s time to start thinking about what you\'ll be wearing poolside this summer, and to help you on the way we\'ve surveyed the mass of skimpy Lycra out there and come up with our top 20 swimsuits and bikinis. So, whatever your shape we\'ve found the perfect swimwear for you.

Halterneck bandeau swimsuit, £39, 8-20, Boden www.boden.co.uk

Swimwear for curvaceous figures: Safari

Not only is this giraffe print swimsuit bang-on-trend, the striking graphic pattern helps create an optical illusion cleverly disguising any lumps and bumps. How good is that?

Giraffe print swimsuit, £59, 10-20, Land\'s End www.landsend.co.uk

Swimwear for curvaceous figures: Classic

Don\'t be fooled into thinking that Speedo is all about time saving technical bodysuits.  The legendary sports brand has a fine selection of gorgeous swimwear that\'s ideal for a summer holiday. Check out their website\'s well-being section for styles that flatter every body shape.

One-piece swimsuit, £45, Speedo www.figleaves.com

Swimwear for curvaceous figures: Stylish

It may look like a simple black swimsuit, but this slinky Lycra number has concealed underwiring for extra support, a mesh panel for tummy control and a very flattering wrap-over shape. We like.

Cross over swimsuit, £38, 34-40 D-G, by Ballet at www.figleaves.com

Swimwear for curvaceous figures: Speedy

Look good both in and out of the pool in this sexy Speedo. With 20% elastane, front lining and moderate rear coverage, this multi-tasking swimsuit is guaranteed to hold you in place.

Sculpture swimsuit, £60, Speedo www.figleaves.com

Swimwear for boyish figures: Shapely

Lacking in curves? Then simply add a few with this swirl effect swimming cossie from Debenhams. Neat eh?

Colourblock swimsuit, £34, 8-18, J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams www.debenhams.com

Swimwear for boyish figures: Brazilian

Now, the Brazilians know a thing or two about looking good on the beach, as a quick peek at Tica London\'s website will confirm. This fabulous selection of sassy South American swimwear is bound to cause a stir, from Clacton to Copacabana.

Striped bikini, £115, S, L by Sofia Laguna at www.ticalondon.com

Swimwear for boyish figures: Sexy

This cute one-piece will make a straight-up-and-down figure look more womanly. How? The horizontal stripes add shape, and the sexy cut out detail and under-bust drawstring will create the illusion of bigger curves.

Nautical swimsuit, £72, 8-14, by Diesel at www.asos.com

Swimwear for pear-shaped bodies: Prints

Good news. This striking blend of spots and florals is guaranteed to draw attention up and away from a bottom-heavy figure. Johnnie Boden, we love you!

Hotchpotch swimsuit, £39, 8-20, Boden www.boden.co.uk

Swimwear for pear-shaped bodies: Glamour

Show off your shoulders and avoid unsightly strap marks in this classy bandeau one-piece. Silicone gripper bands around the top edge of this swimsuit prevent unseemly slippage and if that\'s not enough, straps are optional

Ivory Coast swimsuit, £44, 34-40 B-D, Triumph  www.triumph.com 01793 720 300

Swimwear for pear-shaped bodies: Mix match

We find it\'s best to go for a freestyle approach if you\'re pear-shaped.  Take an eye-catching tankini top, add a pair of dark coloured bottoms et voila! The perfect figure-flattering poolside combo.

Swirl tankini top, £36 and brief, £32, both 8-16, by Sunseeker at www.figleaves.com

Swimwear for pear-shaped bodies: Chic

Every woman needs a classic LBS (Little Black Swimsuit). The essential one-piece that helps streamline and sculpt any figure shape. We are particularly fond of this version from La Redoute - and the nifty ring fastening detail below the bust, is a neat way to detract from a pear-shaped physique.

Swimsuit, £39, 10-22, La Redoute www.laredoute.co.uk

Swimwear for long bodies: Retro

Capture the fifties mood and flatter an extra long torso in this retro style bikini. The cute boy shorts remind us of Daniel Craig, er sorry, help break up a long body and offer a decent amount of coverage. 

Polka dot bikini top, £32 and matching shorts, £35 both 8-18, Toast  www.toast.co.uk

Swimwear for long bodies: Tugless

The experts at Land\'s End have created the brilliantly named ‘tugless\' swimsuit. A costume that stays put as you swim, stroll and sunbathe  - anything that makes us look more sophisticated on the beach is a surefire hit. Genius!

Tugless swimsuit, £36, 10-20, available in long torso sizes (and regular). Land\'s End www.landsend.co.uk

Swimwear for long bodies: Strappy

For that extra half an inch, take a trip to your M&S where a whole array of stylish longer length swimwear awaits you. We love the strap detail on this Per Una costume. Matching eye shadow optional.

Twist strap swimsuit, £29.50, 10-20, available in regular and long body lengths, Per Una www.marksandspencer.com

Swimwear to flatter big boobs: Underwire

Want to look like Ursula Andress in Doctor No? This gorgeous underwired bikini is guaranteed to wake up any would-be James Bond out there - but just you make sure his intentions are strictly honourable!

Vodkatini bikini top, £25, 30-40 D, DD, E, 30-48 F, FF, G, and matching briefs, £22, both Freya at www.leialingerie.com

Swimwear to flatter big boobs: Sexy

The ‘sexy beast\' swimsuit has pre-formed cups for extra support and a knot detail belt at the hips. So, you can look hot, safe in the fact that the world and her husband won\'t be staring at your biggest assets.

Chocolate zebra stripe swimsuit, £75, 10-18, by La Blanca at House of Fraser www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Swimwear to flatter big boobs: Bold

Bold colours are going to be bigger than the Sex and the City movie this summer, and what better way to show off an amazing body and glowing tan than this vibrant green bikini?

Underwired bikini top, £29, 30-40 D, DD, E, 30-48 F, FF, G and classic brief, £12 both Freya at www.leialingerie.com

Swimwear to flatter small boobs: Frills

Use clever details - such as ruffles and prints - to enhance a small bust. We recommend this pretty underwired bikini top from Mr Boden, and as the man reminds us, ‘Good things can come in small packages\'.

Ruffle bikini top, £22, 32B-36D and bikini pants, 319, 8-20 both Boden www.boden.co.uk

Swimwear to flatter small boobs: Dots

Have we told you how much we love the award-winning Figleaves website? Its figure-flattering lingerie makes a regular appearance on "How to Look Good Naked\'  - and the swimwear\'s not bad either! So, if it\'s good enough for Gok...

Polka dot bikini top, £28 and bikini briefs, £22, S-L by Odille at www.figleaves.com

Swimwear to flatter small boobs: Zig-zag

This Missoni-inspired, multi-coloured swimsuit has got what it takes to make a small bust seem larger. The soft cups, shelf support and the drawstring keyhole will help add another cup size in a jiffy (no surgery required?!?)

Keyhole swimsuit, £25, 8-22, Freemans www.freemans.com