The Best Swimwear for an Hourglass Shape

If you've got an hourglass figure — a clearly defined waist with a bust and hips in happy agreement — then congratulations, because swimwear was practically invented for you. The whole game here isn't about "fixing" anything; it's about honouring that natural balance and drawing the eye straight to your waist. Get the proportions right and almost everything works. Below, our edit of the cuts, the support and the brands that let an hourglass do what it does best: turn up and steal the show.

High-Waisted Sets That Mark the Waist

The high-waisted bikini is the hourglass's best friend, full stop. Sitting at the narrowest point of your torso, it traces the inward curve and lets your hips and bust frame it on either side — the silhouette you already have, simply underlined. Look for a brief that nips in rather than clamping down, and a top with enough structure to balance the bottom. Our high-waisted bikini guide goes deeper on rise and fit, but for an hourglass, this is where I'd start. L*Space does this category beautifully. Shop L*Space

Belted & Cinched One-Pieces

If a one-piece is more your mood, reach for anything with a belt, a tie or a sculpted seam at the middle. A cinched waist on a maillot does the work a high-waisted brief does for a bikini — it creates a focal point exactly where you're narrowest. Avoid shapeless, boxy cuts that skim straight over your curves and lose the plot entirely; you want a suit that follows your lines, not one that hides them. Melissa Odabash is the queen of the grown-up, waist-defining one-piece. Shop Melissa Odabash

Balconette & Underwired Support

A balanced bust deserves a top that actually holds it — not a flimsy triangle that gives up by lunchtime. A balconette or underwired style lifts and separates, keeping your upper half in proportion with your hips and stopping the whole silhouette from tipping forward. The bonus is that proper support reads as polished rather than fussy. Monday Swimwear builds its tops with structure in mind, so they flatter without feeling like scaffolding. Shop Monday Swimwear

Wrap Styles That Follow Your Curves

Wrap and tie-front designs are quietly genius on an hourglass. The diagonal lines draw the eye in towards the centre, and the adjustable knot means you can tighten the fit precisely at your waist — bespoke tailoring, essentially, for the price of a clever bit of fabric. Wrap tankinis and ruched-side one-pieces are equally good news, the gathering adding gentle shape while still tracing your natural curve. For more on building looks around your proportions, our body-type bikini guide is a handy companion read.

Plunge Necklines for Vertical Length

A plunge neckline is the hourglass's secret weapon. That long, open V down the centre adds vertical length, breaks up the bust and lengthens the whole torso — especially welcome if you're shorter through the body. It pairs brilliantly with a high-waisted brief, so you get the elongating line up top and the waist-defining nip below. Hunza G and its famous crinkle fabric is a cult favourite here, hugging curves with stretch that genuinely fits a real range of shapes. Shop Hunza G

Fit Advice: Get the Proportions Right

The golden rule for an hourglass is balance: whatever you wear on top should be answered by something equally considered on the bottom. Buy your bust and your hips as if they're two different sizes if you need to — many brands sell separates for exactly this reason, so never let a too-tight brief or a gaping top ruin an otherwise perfect set. Prioritise stretch and recovery in the fabric, and trust pieces that move with you. Seafolly is a reliable shout for mix-and-match separates that let you nail the fit. Shop Seafolly For more curve-celebrating inspiration, our best bikinis for curves edit is the natural next stop. Whatever you choose, wear it like you mean it — confidence is the one accessory that flatters every figure.