I spent the longest time thinking that if you have an apple body shape with a rounder middle and gorgeous slim legs your only real option for summer was to squeeze yourself into a super tight black one piece that felt like a medical compression garment. Every time I went shopping I would automatically head straight for the matrix style shapewear section and buy something that completely covered me from my neck to my thighs. Sure it hid my tummy but it also flattened my chest and made me look like a giant rectangle while completely erasing my best features. Last summer when I was planning a trip I just got so tired of feeling like I was hiding a secret under a layer of thick heavy fabric. I decided to actually experiment with different cuts and patterns to figure out the precise science of what to show off and what to soften up. It turns out that when you stop trying to just camouflage your entire body and instead focus on drawing the eye to your chest and your legs you can look absolutely incredible without feeling like you are suffocating in the heat.
The life changing magic of a deep plunging neckline
The very first rule of thumb for apple shapes is that you want to create a strong vertical line down the center of your upper body to break up the roundness of your stomach. I used to think high neck swimsuits were my friend because they covered everything up but they actually just create this massive solid block of fabric that makes your torso look way wider than it actually is. Swapping those out for a deep V neck or a plunging halter top was an absolute game changer for my confidence. By showing a little bit of skin right in the center you instantly draw the eye upward toward your collarbone and away from your waistline. It elongates your neck and creates this beautiful balance that naturally slims your middle section without needing any painful internal shapewear panels to do the work.
Why ruching and wrapping are your absolute best friends
If you are looking for a one piece that gives you some peace of mind around your stomach area you need to look for strategic fabric manipulation rather than just thick material. Any suit that has gathered fabric or ruching across the midsection is basically a real life photo filter for your torso. I found this gorgeous wrap style one piece last month that ties gently at the side of the waist and the way the fabric drapes diagonally completely hides any belly lines. Because the folds of the fabric are already built into the design of the swimsuit nobody can tell what is the suit and what is your actual body. It gives you this incredibly relaxed and elegant silhouette that lets you sit down by the pool or eat a big lunch without constantly worrying about sucking your stomach in.
Showing off your ultimate weapon with a high cut leg
One major mistake a lot of apple shaped girls make is choosing those little swim dresses or boy short bottoms because they think they need to cover up their lower half. But if you have an apple shape your legs are almost always your absolute best asset because they stay naturally lean and toned. When you wear a low cut leg or a skirt you are cutting off your legs at the widest point which makes you look shorter and much heavier than you actually are. You want to look for a classic medium to high cut leg opening because it visually extends your legs by a few inches. By pulling the eye down to your long legs you completely balance out the weight of your upper body and create this beautiful tall silhouette that looks amazing in photos.
Using bold prints on top and solid colors on the bottom
If you prefer two piece swimsuits or tankinis you can use color blocking to completely redefine your proportions on the beach. The golden rule here is to put all the visual excitement on your upper half and keep the lower half completely low key. I love pairing a bright floral or a cool geometric print bikini top with a simple high waisted solid black or navy blue bottom. The busy print on top grabs all the attention and emphasizes your bust while the solid dark color on the bottom acts like a shadow that visually minimizes your midsection. Just make sure the waistband on the bottom is wide and flat rather than a thin string so it sits smoothly against your skin without digging in.
The hidden trick of wide supportive straps and underwires
When you carry weight in your torso you absolutely need a swimsuit that provides real structural support from the top down because a sagging bust line will visually shorten your waist even more. When your chest is lifted properly it creates a clear defined space between your bust and your belly button which instantly makes your waist look narrower. You want to avoid those flimsy thin string straps that slice into your shoulders and instead hunt for suits with wide comfortable straps and built in underwire cups. It behaves exactly like a really great push up bra and that extra lift completely changes how clothes sit on your frame. Once everything is lifted and secured you get this beautiful posture boost that makes you look and feel like a total queen.
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