Swimsuit for your body type – find the perfect fit
Swimsuits for your body type – find your perfect fit
The right swimsuit for your body type highlights your strengths and gives you the support you need. In this guide, we walk through six body types and explain which MAYAS styles and design details work best for each – so you can find your perfect fit without the guesswork.
Why does body type matter when choosing a swimsuit?
No two bodies are alike – and neither are all swimsuits. The choice of style, cut, and details can make an enormous difference in how you look and feel. A swimsuit designed for your body type highlights your natural silhouette, creates balance where you want it, and stays comfortable all day – whether you're at the beach, by the pool, or at a café terrace afterward.
MAYAS' shaping swimsuits are built with a 4-layer shapewear panel made from Italian materials that sculpt and support the stomach, waist, and hips. This gives you an extra advantage regardless of body type: a smooth, defined silhouette without sacrificing freedom of movement. And with interchangeable pads in three levels – Standard, Light Push-Up, and Super Push-Up (49 kr per pair) – you can adjust the shape and lift of your bust exactly to your liking.
Below, we walk through six of the most common body types and give you concrete style recommendations. If you'd like a personal recommendation tailored to your goals, you can use MAYAS' Fit Finder guide.
The six body types – and which swimsuit suits you
Pear shape – wider hips, narrower shoulders
If you have fuller hips and thighs than shoulders, you're in good company. The goal is to create balance by drawing the eye upward and highlighting the shoulders and bust, while supporting the hips in a flattering way. Choose a swimsuit with decorative details or ruching at the top and a shapewear panel that smooths the hips. Avoid plain, dark fabric panels on the bottom with no visual interest on top.
Recommended style: Aurora or Grace. Both feature details at the bust and a strong shapewear panel that supports and sculpts the stomach and hips. Aurora in Black or Dusty Green is especially popular for this body type.
Apple shape – fullness primarily in the middle
If you have a rounded stomach and fullness in the midsection with relatively slim legs and arms, a strong shapewear panel is your best friend in swimwear. It creates a smoothing effect on the stomach and defines the waist. A high waist and long cuts draw the eye downward and elongate the silhouette. Avoid sharp horizontal details across the middle of the body.
Recommended style: Valencia – MAYAS' high-waisted style with the most structured cut. It delivers maximum tummy control and an impressive silhouette. Valencia in Chestnut is a beautiful warm tone for apple-shaped bodies. Priced from 925 kr.
Hourglass – fullness both top and bottom, defined waist
If you have a natural balance between your shoulders and hips with a clearly defined waist, you have a classic hourglass figure. Here it's all about enhancing what you already have. Choose cuts that follow the body's curves and don't hide the waist. A shapewear panel helps keep everything in place and delivers that signature smooth finish.
Recommended style: Celestia or Harmony. Both follow the body's natural lines and accentuate the hourglass silhouette. Celestia in King Blue or Dusty Green is a fantastic choice. Harmony in Chestnut is also well suited to warm skin tones.
Rectangle / athletic shape – even proportions, less curve
If you have a straighter silhouette with shoulder, waist, and hip measurements that are close to one another, you can use your swimwear to create the appearance of curves. Ruching, texture, and strategic patterns add depth. A shapewear panel with light compression gives a subtle waist definition, even where it's naturally less pronounced.
Recommended style: Grace – with its delicate details and feminine cut, it adds curves and dimension to the rectangular shape. Infinity in Dusty Green is another great option with its lively design. Consider using Light Push-Up pads to further enhance the bust.
Inverted triangle – broad shoulders, narrower hips
If your shoulders are wide relative to your hips, the goal is to create balance by drawing the eye downward and adding visual weight to the hips. Choose cuts with simple, understated details on top and preferably darker colors at the top. A swimsuit with a V-neckline reduces the visual width of the shoulders.
Recommended style: Vitality or Harmony. Vitality has a sporty, streamlined cut that doesn't exaggerate the shoulder width. Harmony in Black is a classic, understated style that beautifully balances proportions.
Small / petite – short torso or small overall frame
If you are petite or have a short torso, the goal is to create the illusion of height and visually elongate the leg. Choose a solid color in a single tone, preferably a deeper shade, that draws a vertical line. Avoid wide horizontal details across the stomach that cut the torso short.
Recommended style: Celestia in Black or Vitality in Silky Blue. Both are streamlined and solid-colored, which elongates the silhouette. Standard or Light Push-Up pads create a lovely proportion at the top.
Overview: which MAYAS style suits your body type?
Here's a quick overview of style recommendations by body type, so you can easily find your starting point. Remember that all styles include the shapewear panel – the table shows what additionally sets them apart.
| Body type | Recommended style | Key detail | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pear shape | Aurora / Grace | Details on top, strong hip-sculpting panel | 899 kr |
| Apple shape | Valencia | High waist, strongest tummy definition | 925 kr |
| Hourglass | Celestia / Harmony | Curve-following cut, accentuates the waist | 899 kr |
| Athletic / rectangle | Grace / Infinity | Details that create curves and depth | 899 kr |
| Inverted triangle | Vitality / Harmony | Simple cut, balances shoulders and hips | 899 kr |
| Petite / small frame | Celestia Black / Vitality Silky Blue | Solid color, visually elongates the leg | 899 kr |
Browse all available styles and colors in MAYAS' bestseller collection. Shop with confidence with 30-day returns and free shipping on orders over 500 kr.
How to find your size – and use the Fit Finder guide
The best swimsuit for your body type is no use if the size is wrong. A swimsuit that's too small will pinch and emphasize rather than shape – and one that's too large loses its shapewear effect. So take sizing seriously.
Step 1: Measure in three places
Use a measuring tape and measure: (1) the circumference of your chest at its widest point, (2) your waist at its narrowest point (usually 2–3 cm above the navel), and (3) your hips at their widest point. Write down all three measurements in cm.
Step 2: Match with MAYAS' size guide
Go to mayas.co/pages/kropstyper, enter your measurements, and see which size and style is recommended specifically for you. The Fit Finder guide takes your body type into account and gives a personal recommendation – not just a standard answer.
Step 3: Not sure? Order two sizes
If you're torn between two sizes, you can order both and return the one that doesn't fit. With 30-day returns and free shipping on orders over 500 kr, it's easy and risk-free to try before you decide. MAYAS' customer service can also help you with a specific recommendation.
All MAYAS styles are available in sizes XS–XXL and are produced to a consistent size scale. That makes it easier to find your size once and use it across styles.
Colors and skin tones – what works for whom?
Color choice is an underrated part of finding the right swimsuit for your body type. The right color can elongate the leg, complement your skin tone, and add an extra dimension to your look.
MAYAS has five core colors: Black, Chestnut (warm brown), Silky Blue, King Blue, and Dusty Green. Here's a general rule of thumb for what works best with which skin tone:
- Black: Classic, slimming, and flattering on all skin tones. Elongates the silhouette and is especially great for apple shapes and petite frames.
- Chestnut: A warm, earthy brown that enhances golden and warm skin tones. Beautiful on olive and deeper skin tones.
- Silky Blue: A soft, cool blue that brightens fair skin tones and creates contrast against darker skin. Great for inverted triangle and athletic shapes.
- King Blue: A deep, rich blue that is universally flattering and elegant. Fantastic for hourglass and petite figures.
- Dusty Green: A muted, natural green tone that suits warm and neutral skin tones. Great for pear shapes and athletic figures.
Frequently asked questions
Find your swimsuit for your body type today
With 10,000+ swimsuits sold and an average customer rating of 4.8 stars, we know what works – regardless of body type. Use the Fit Finder guide to find your style, or go straight to our collection. Free shipping on orders over 500 kr and 30-day returns.