How to Style a One Piece Swimsuit

Co-authored by Candace Hanna

Last Updated: December 11, 2022 References

You can easily style a one piece for a trip to the beach or you can wear a one piece as a bodysuit for a cute everyday outfit. One piece bathing suits are flattering for every body type and size! Choose your bathing suit based on the look you are going for, and pair it with shorts, skirts, and dresses or accessories like flip flops, wedges, and necklaces. Make your outfit your own, and you can style any one piece. Check out our one piece outfit inspiration below.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a One Piece

1
Select a one piece in a bright color or pattern for a vibrant style. Choose fun, funky colors like bright pink, aqua, or lime green. This adds a splash of color to your outfits and beach looks, and you can easily pair this with bright-colored accessories as well.^{[1]
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- You can go with a solid-colored swimsuit in a bright color, or a colorful patterned one piece. For example, look for a bathing suit in hot pink or a suit with hot pink polka dots.
2
Go with a single color, dark-toned suit if you want to slim your shape. Choose a darker color like black, blue, or purple for a flattering and slimming silhouette. These tones hide any uneven areas, so you can confidently take a dip or lay out in the sun.^{[2]
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- White and light-colored swimsuits are much more revealing. They can show off imperfections that dark suits conceal, such as love handles.
- Swimsuits without much pattern or detailing work well as a slimming option.
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3
Choose a suit with a skirt or boyshort bottom for a conservative option. If you want to cover up just a bit, look for swimsuits that have a more conservative bottom. Many adorable styles come in boyshort or skirt options. That way, you won’t have anything to be self-conscious about when you wear your one piece.^{[3]
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- When shopping, you can ask an associate if they carry any of these styles. If you are having trouble finding them, order your bathing suit online.
4
Get a one piece with a lace-up or low-cut front for a flirty style. If you want a bathing suit with a sexy touch, look for deep “V” tops or flirty accents, like straps or ties. Small details like this can take a simple one piece to the next level!
- In addition, you can look for cut-out style one piece suits, where only the front of the suit is attached.
5
Select a suit with a ruffled top or fun pattern if you have a smaller bust. To add some enhancement and emphasis to your chest, pick out one pieces with detailing on the top. This adds a flirty touch to your suit.^{[4]
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- For example, look for patterns like polka dot or floral print, or go for ruffles or colored liners.
- If you want a bit more definition, you can also add bra inserts to your bathing suit top.
6
Choose a one piece with underwire if you want a more supportive top. If you want a bit more comfort while wearing your bathing suit, opt for a suit with an underwire top. This provides support and comfort whether you are lounging by the pool or wearing your one piece on a date. Underwire can also provide some lift and definition, and many bathing suits are sized based off of your bust size.^{[5]
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- This is a great option if you have a large bust.
7
Avoid suits that have a lot of detailing or patterns around the tummy. Suits with detailing around your stomach can cause unnecessary attention to this area. Instead, choose suits with a simple, streamlined waist and stomach.
- If you want a suit with detailing, look for an all-over print or a trim, for example.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Creating Outfits With Your One Piece

1
Throw on a pair of denim or Bermuda shorts for a cute, casual style. This is a great option if you are leaving the pool for a day on the town or want to style your outfit before you get to the beach. Purchase a pair from a local store, thrift shop, or online.^{[6]
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- Denim shorts add a relaxed feeling, and you can choose from high, mid, or low-waist varieties.
- Bermuda shorts come in solid colors like khaki or beach motifs. These have a bit more polished feel than denim shorts.
2
Pair your skirt with a miniskirt for a flirty style. Slip a short skirt over top your one piece, and you can easily transform your look into a cute style great for date night or a night out on the town. For a polished look, choose a skirt that complements
- You can choose a patterned skirt or denim skirt, for example.
3
Wear a maxi skirt with your one piece for a flattering, elegant look. Simply step into the skirt and pull it onto your hips, and you can easily create a stylish outfit. This looks great for relaxed, beachy outfits as well as sophisticated, evening looks, depending on your skirt. Match your suit color or pattern to your skirt for a super polished look!^{[7]
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- Wear flowy, colorful skirts for casual looks, for example.
- In addition, you can also wear a maxi dress instead of a skirt if you prefer.
4
Wear a patterned suit with a lightweight, white dress for a pop of color. To dress up your one piece look, put on a pattered suit and wear a thin light-colored dress over top. The pattern of your suit shows through the light material, so you can still cover up but show off your suit!^{[8]
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- This looks great with polka dot and floral printed suits, for example.
5
Try wearing jeans with your one piece if you are going out. Whether you are running errands or going out to the bars, you can easily slip on a pair of jeans to create your outfit. Jeans pair great with nearly every swimsuit, and you can create casual and nighttime looks with your favorite pair.^{[9]
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- In addition, you can pair your one piece with overalls. Simply pull them up, flip the straps over your shoulder, and buckle them in place.
- You can also throw on a cardigan sweater, button-down shirt, or cropped jacket for an additional layer.
6
Choose clothing in island motifs or bright colors for a tropical look. If you want to bring the beach with you, select clothing pieces with tropical motifs and patterns. This can be bottoms, tops, or outer layers. Look for colors like salmon, lime, and turquoise, and select patterns like flowers, parrots, pineapples, and palm trees.^{[10]
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- Select a palm tree printed skirt or shorts with a pineapple pattern, for example.
- This looks great with a straw purse, sandals, and oversized sunglasses.
7
Wear a halter one piece with wide-legged pants for a retro vibe. One piece suits that have a halter-neck style and scrunching on the side have a slightly retro feel. Pair this with a pair of wide-legged pants, and you can easily create a retro-inspired look.^{[11]
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- For an extra vintage look, select high-waisted pants.
- You can also throw on cat-eye sunglasses and some red lipstick to elevate your look.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Adding Accessories

1
Wear sandals if you want to go with a casual, relaxed style. What pairs better with a bathing suit than a pair of sandals? Choose either a flip-flop or strappy pair, and slip them on your feet after you lay out or swim. You can choose neutral-toned sandals for daily shoes, and you can go with embellished or colored sandals for evening looks.^{[12]
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- These pair great with shorts and skirts, for example.
2
Throw on a pair of wedges for a flirty, streamlined look. Wedges are shoes that have a sole that also acts as the heel. They are usually 1–3 in (2.5–7.6 cm) tall, and they easily add some glam to your outfit. Wear wedges with casual looks and nighttime looks if you want to lengthen your legs.^{[13]
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- For example, wear a pair of cork wedges around the pool, or wear wedge pumps with your one piece and maxi dress.
3
Slip on a pair of sneakers for a sporty, on-the-go style. For a casual footwear option, choose a pair of lightweight sneakers, like Converse or Nike. Pair these with your one piece and shorts for a daytime look, or throw them on with a pair of skinny jeans for a night out. Either way, you’ll be comfortable and stylish in sneakers!^{[14]
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- These are great if you are exploring the beach town or going on a bike ride.
4
Choose from caps, flat-brimmed, or slouchy hats for shade and style. They all shield your eyes from the rays while also adding a stylish accessory to your outfit. Hats are fashionable and functional when paired with a one piece.^{[15]
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- Baseball caps look great with one pieces, shorts, and sneakers for a tomboy style.
- Wear straw hats for a beachy vibe.
- Go with slouchy hats if you want a stylish look but you also want some shade.
5
Choose oversize, aviator, or cat-eye sunglasses to complete your look. Pick a pair of sunglasses that suits your style! Oversize glasses look great with girly, flirty outfits. Rock aviator glasses with casual or tomboy outfits. Go with cat-eye shaped sunglasses for retro or vintage styles. Before you head to the beach, throw on your sunglasses to add a stylish accessory!^{[16]
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- If you are wearing your one piece for a nighttime look, you can wear your sunglasses on your head for a beachy touch, if you’d like.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you accessorize a swimsuit?

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Candace Hanna is a stylist and style expert based in Southern California. With 16 years of experience in the corporate fashion and personal styling realms, she runs Style by Candace, a personal styling agency that focuses on helping individuals find their personal expression through clothing. Her work has been featured in magazines such as Shoutout LA and VoyageLA.

Candace Hanna

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

For an easy, comfortable, and cute way to style a one-piece, just tie on a sarong and add a hat and sunglasses!
Question

Do these tips apply if I'm a man and want to wear a women's one piece bathing suit?

Venus

Community Answer

Yes, but try to get suits that don't have bra inserts. Other than that, most of this article still applies.
Question

What should I do if I want to wear denim shorts with my swimsuit, but they make the swimsuit look tight?

VermontGal

Top Answerer

Sometimes one article of clothing simply doesn't work well with another. If the two just do not look right together, you may have to get another swimsuit or another pair of shorts.

Warnings

If you are shopping in stores, check the fit of your bathing suit before you leave. This avoids any returns down the line.

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