The Best Swimwear for Pear & Apple Body Shapes

There is a peculiar myth, much repeated and rarely interrogated, that swimwear is hardest on those of us who curve. The truth is far kinder: the right suit doesn't fight your shape, it flatters the architecture you already have. Whether you carry your fullness below the waist (the classic pear) or through the middle and bust (the apple), the secret is the same — balance, beautiful fabric, and a cut that knows precisely where to hold and where to let go.

Understanding Your Shape — And Why It's an Asset

A pear shape is defined by a narrower upper body and fuller hips and thighs; the goal is simply to draw the eye upward and let the bust catch the light. An apple shape carries weight through the midsection with slimmer legs, so the magic lies in lengthening the torso and showing off those enviable pins. Both shapes are gloriously well served by the new generation of luxury swimwear — the days of unforgiving lycra are long behind us.

The Best Swimsuits for Pear Shapes: Lift the Eye, Balance the Hip

For pear shapes, a one-piece with a plunging or ruched neckline does the heavy lifting, pulling attention to the décolletage while a high-cut leg elongates the thigh. Hunza G is the cult name here — its famous crinkle-stretch fabric is genuinely one-size and clings in all the right ways, with scoop and plunge silhouettes that broaden the shoulder line beautifully. Shop Hunza G.

For a more sculpted, structured option, Vitamin A's organic-cotton-blend one-pieces offer subtle ruching through the waist and a flattering high leg that lengthens the lower half without exposing the hip. Shop Vitamin A.

The Best Swimsuits for Apple Shapes: Lengthen the Line

Apple shapes thrive in a deep V or plunge that creates a long vertical line down the centre of the body, slimming the midsection while making the most of a fuller bust. Melissa Odabash, the doyenne of resort dressing, has built a reputation on exactly this — Riviera-worthy plunge swimsuits with discreet internal support and ruching that skims rather than clings. Shop Melissa Odabash.

For tummy control without a hint of compromise on elegance, Monday Swimwear (founded by Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman, who know a thing or two about supporting a curve) cuts its one-pieces from a thick, buttery fabric that holds beautifully through the middle. Shop Monday Swimwear.

The Investment One-Piece: French Polish for Every Shape

If you buy one suit to last a decade, make it Eres. The French house is the gold standard of swimwear engineering — its double-layered, no-lining fabric sculpts and supports without a single seam out of place, and the maillot cuts genuinely suit both pear and apple frames thanks to their architectural precision. Shop Eres. For a similarly structured but more contemporary feel, Australia's Bondi Born offers tailored, compressive one-pieces with clean lines that flatter a defined waist. Shop Bondi Born.

Mix-and-Match Bikinis: Buy Your Top and Bottom Separately

The single best piece of advice for curvier figures is to abandon the matched set and buy your bikini in two sizes. For pear shapes, a high-cut, fuller-coverage bottom in a solid tone lengthens the leg while a detailed or brighter top draws the eye up — L*Space excels at exactly these flattering, full-seat cuts. Shop L*Space.

Frankies Bikinis, the Californian label beloved for its high-leg silhouettes, lets you pair a supportive, adjustable top with a separately sized bottom — ideal for apples who want a little more on top and pears who need room below. Shop Frankies Bikinis.

Print, Colour and Texture: The Quiet Tricks That Work

Where you place a print matters as much as the cut. Pears should keep the lower half in a deep, solid shade and let pattern or texture sit up top; apples can use a vertical stripe or a darker panel through the centre to elongate. Tori Praver's painterly, hand-drawn prints are made for precisely this kind of considered placement, and the ruched, gathered detailing skims the body with an artist's eye. Shop Tori Praver. For more shape-led inspiration, browse the edit.

The Final Word on Fit and Styling

Three rules will see you through any beach or pool. First, prioritise the fabric — anything labelled double-lined, compressive or "sculpting" will hold you with quiet confidence, and it is always worth the investment. Second, size for your largest measurement and adjust everything else, which is why separates are a curvier woman's best friend. And third, accessorise with intent: a high-waisted sarong, an oversized straw hat or a kaftan in a tone that picks up your suit will pull the whole look together. Buy beautifully, buy once, and wear it like you mean it.