Before you head into the change room with a mountain of swimwear, check out this simple guide to finding the perfect swimsuit.

After hiding under cozy winter layers, the thought of pulling on a swimsuit is a little scary. But once you know how to flatter your body, shopping for your next cossie will be a breeze.
WOMEN
HOURGLASS
(your bust and hips are in proportion and you have a small waist)
Flatter your curves in a matching swimsuit. A structured halter neck will support your bust while side tie bottoms will balance the look. Your slim waist means you can rock a one-piece with cutouts.
Avoid mix-and-match pieces and boy shorts.
RECTANGLE
(your body is slim with no curves)
Enjoy shopping for swimsuits with feminine ruffles, embellishments and bold patterns to highlight your bust and hips. A high-waisted bottom or retro one-piece will help create some curves.
Avoid straight bandeau tops and sporty one-pieces.
TRIANGLE
(you have a curvy bottom half with a petite upper body)
Accentuate your bust with patterns, ruffles, padding and halter neck tops. Streamline your lower half with a dark, solid colour bottom in a mid-rise or high-waisted cut.
Avoid frilly bottoms or boy shorts.
INVERTED TRIANGLE
(you have a bigger upper body with a small waist and lean legs)
Choose a dark colour top with good support. Your bottoms can be playful in a bold print with ruffles and side ties.
Avoid halter necks or ruffled tops.
To hide a tummy, try a swimsuit with ruching, colour-block side panels or a high-waisted suit with a plunging neckline.
MEN
Sure, guys just have to pull on a pair of shorts and they’re ready to hit the sand… but there are a few rules to remember when choosing those trunks.
- Tall guys, choose a pair that hits right above the knee.
- Short guys, choose a pair that hits in the middle of your thigh.
- Bigger guys will look sleeker in dark, solid swim shorts.
- Slim guys who want to add a little volume to their look can choose a bold print.
Stay away from oversized baggies no matter your size, but make sure you have room to move comfortably. If you have a belly, choose a flexible drawstring pair.
GET THE LOOK
Invest in swimwear that’ll make you feel – and look – great this summer. Your RCS Card gives you access to the RCS shopping network of over 21 000 retailers, including South Africa’s leading fashion brands.