Bikini Guide for Busy Mums Who Live in Real Bodies  

*Collaborative Post

Being a mom and having your body change while pregnant does not mean you can’t wear a bikini. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when buying a bikini to help you choose the right one that will make you feel confident. 

Know Your Body Type

The first thing you need to do is understand your body type. Anybody can wear a bikini; the only thing that changes is the style and cut. Whether it is a great bikini top or a pair of Bydee thong bikini bottoms, knowing your body type is a must. 

Apple

An apple shape is often defined by wider shoulders and hips and narrower legs. For this body shape, opt for high-waisted bottoms, and top with a wide and low neckline. This will create separation between your bust and stomach, and elongate your body. 

Pear

A pear-shaped body is characterised by wider hips, a smaller bust, and narrow shoulders. For bottoms, stick with something simple that accentuates your curves. Regarding the top, choose something with padded cups and a plunging neckline to accentuate your bust. 

Athletic

An athletic body type can be seen as rectangular, but is often characterised by shoulders and hips of similar width, and a waist that is the same width or slightly narrower. For tops, opt for something that accentuates the curves of your bust. As for bottoms, a high-cut can cinch your waist further and accentuate your hips’ curves. 

Hourglass 

An hourglass shape is one we all know, but is often characterised by larger busts, slimmer waists, and wider hips. When choosing bikinis, almost anything works, as you aren’t trying to create proportions or curves but rather to accentuate what you have. 

Rectangle

As mentioned above, rectangular and athletic body shapes are very similar, and therefore, the things to remember are almost identical. Choose shapes and cuts that accentuate your bust and hips to create curves and shape. 

Support

Every mom knows that pregnancy and giving birth change your body. While these changes will differ from person to person, a surefire way to fill you with confidence, no matter how much your body has changed, is to opt for a bikini that offers support. 

High-waisted bottoms can offer stomach support and cinch in any areas that you may feel slightly insecure about. A top with built-in padding, adjustable straps, or both, can help support and lift your bust. 

Buy Tops & Bottoms Separately 

While knowing your body shape helps, bodies won’t fit perfectly into each category. You may have a pear shape with slightly wider hips than most, or an athletic body with a larger bust. 

While these differences can seem slight, they can make bikini shopping very difficult, as almost all of them are designed to fit the “average.” Because of this, it is always best to shop for tops and bottoms separately. 

While sets will be appealing, you will often find that one half fits perfectly, and the other half just doesn’t feel right. Additionally, many brands nowadays will sell sets and each piece individually, meaning you don’t have to hunt for a top that matches the colour of the bottoms you choose. 

Activity Level

Another aspect to consider, which you may not think about, is what you will be doing while wearing the bikini. For instance, if you are just planning to tan by the pool and take a light swim, you can choose almost anything. 

On the other hand, if you want something for the beach so you can play games, play with your kids, bodyboard, play volleyball, etc, then you may want to look for something more akin to a sports bra than a regular bikini top. 

This will give you all the support and comfort you need when active, while still giving you the bikini look and feel. 

Confidence > Style

Much like any other type of clothing, there are trends and a variety of styles in the world of bikinis. While there will be countless sets and individual pieces you like, you should always remember that confidence is far more important than style. 

Wearing a bikini is revealing, and you may feel slightly insecure about donning one. However, as mentioned at the beginning, that should most definitely not stop you from buying one and wearing it as much as you can. 

Finding pieces that make you feel the most confident should be the goal. It doesn’t matter if they are in colours or patterns that aren’t the most popular; if you feel your best while wearing it, then it is the right bikini for you. 

Try On First

Finally, it is always best to try on pieces before buying. However, it may not be possible at every store. Similar to underwear, many stores won’t let you try on a bikini before buying it. 

In the event of this, take the time to get your measurements. At the very least, you will be able to see whether the tops and bottoms are close to your regular underwear sizes, so you can buy something that fits correctly. 

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.