The Best Supportive Swimwear To Flatter Every Body Type - From Bigger Busts to Tummy Control

Buying swimwear is one of those shopping trips many of us put off for as long as possible. It's rarely because we don't love holidays. More often, it's because trying on swimsuits has a habit of making us focus on all the wrong things. A strap that digs into your shoulders, a bikini top that offers little support or a swimsuit that somehow manages to flatten everything you'd quite like to enhance. Before you've even reached the fourth changing room, it's tempting to decide last year's will do after all.

Then you arrive on holiday and discover fashion has moved on again. An afternoon on any European beach can be enlightening - full of impossibly high-cut legs, bikini tops being worn upside down (yes, really) and thong bottoms that seem to have borrowed more from the 1980s than most of us were hoping to revisit. If that's your style, wonderful. But for many women, the shopping list is rather different. We want swimwear that supports where we'd like support, smooths where we'd appreciate a little help and flatters without feeling frumpy. We want to swim, stroll along the beach, order lunch overlooking the sea and forget about constantly adjusting or wondering whether everything is still sitting where it should.

Thankfully, that's become much easier. Today's best swimwear combines thoughtful design with beautiful fabrics, proving you no longer have to choose between feeling comfortable and looking stylish. Whether you're looking for more support, a little extra coverage or simply a swimsuit that makes you feel like yourself again, these are the styles worth considering this summer.

A supportive swimsuit shouldn't simply hold everything in place - it should make you feel comfortable enough to forget you're wearing it. If you have a fuller bust, look beyond standard dress sizing and towards bra-sized swimwear wherever possible. Underwired cups, adjustable straps and hidden side support will almost always feel more comfortable than relying on elastic alone, particularly if you're spending a full day by the pool or heading into the sea.

Brands such as Bravissimo, Panache, Freya and Fantasie have spent years perfecting supportive swimwear that doesn't compromise on style, while John Lewis and M&S continue to expand their collections with elegant options designed to fit and flatter. A swimsuit that genuinely supports you changes the way you wear it. Instead of wondering whether everything is still in place, you simply get on with enjoying your holiday.

Most women aren't looking to completely change their shape. What we're usually hoping for is a swimsuit that skims rather than clings and feels quietly flattering without announcing itself as shapewear. Thankfully, modern swimwear has become much better at achieving exactly that.

Gentle ruching across the waist, wrap-front styles, subtle panelling and double-lined fabrics all help create a smoother silhouette without feeling heavy or restrictive. The effect is far more natural than the firm control swimsuits many of us remember from years ago, allowing you to feel supported while still moving comfortably. Collections from Sea Level, Miraclesuit, Pour Moi, M&S and John Lewis all offer stylish examples that prove flattering doesn't have to mean uncomfortable.

Somewhere along the line, many women were made to feel there comes a point when bikinis are no longer appropriate. Thankfully, that outdated idea is quietly disappearing. The truth is that the right bikini has far more to do with fit than age.

Modern underwired and balconette bikini tops provide the support of a well-fitting bra while offering far more confidence than the tiny triangle styles dominating social media. Pair them with high-waisted bottoms if you prefer a little extra coverage and you've got a bikini that feels elegant, comfortable and entirely modern. Good swimwear isn't about dressing younger or older. It's about finding pieces that fit your body beautifully and make you feel confident wearing them.

If you'd rather not make a big feature of your bust, a square neckline is one of the most flattering styles to look for. It's sportier line draws the eye across your shoulders and collarbones rather than down your cleavage, creating a beautifully balanced silhouette.

It's an especially lovely choice if you have a fuller bust and prefer a little more coverage, or if you've noticed your bust has changed shape over the years and you'd rather not spend the day worrying about it. Smaller busts often find the clean, structured shape creates the impression of a little more definition without taking the push-up route - a chic choice.

The classic one-piece has quietly become one of the hardest-working pieces in a holiday wardrobe. Simple scoop necklines, elegant square necks and beautifully cut silhouettes feel timeless rather than trend-led, making them just as suitable for lunch overlooking the marina as they are for a morning swim.

Throw a linen shirt over the top, add wide-leg trousers or a flowing skirt and many one-pieces work almost like a bodysuit, making them one of the most versatile items you'll pack. Brands such as Mango, Hunza G, Boden and Toast all understand that understated design often has the longest staying power.

If you've ever stood in a changing room thinking, "Swimsuits just don't suit me," there's a good chance the problem wasn't you. Most swimwear is still designed to fairly standard proportions, yet women's bodies are wonderfully varied.

Whether you have a longer torso, a shorter body, fuller hips or simply struggle to find a swimsuit that sits comfortably on your shoulders, the cut often matters far more than the size on the label. Adjustable straps, longer body lengths and thoughtfully designed leg openings can completely transform the way a swimsuit fits. Sometimes finding the right brand is all it takes to realise you've been trying the wrong styles all along.