Tired of hiding under beach cover-ups? Frustrated with swimsuits that just don’t “get” your curves? You’re not alone in the search for super cute swimwear for pear-shaped bodies.
Discovering the most flattering swimsuits for pear shape figures shouldn’t feel like mission impossible – but for too many women over 50, it does. That ends today.
I’ve spent years helping women transform their swimwear nightmares into confidence-boosting beach days. Here’s the truth: your pear shape isn’t the problem – you’ve just been wearing the wrong styles.
The most flattering swimsuits for pear shaped bodies exist, and I’m about to reveal every secret the swimwear industry doesn’t want you knowing. These game-changing styles will balance your proportions, highlight your best features, and have you feeling beach-ready in no time.
Ready to revolutionize your swimwear collection? Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
What Is a Pear-Shaped Body?
Let’s get real – you probably already know if you’re pear-shaped. It’s that classic “smaller on top, curvier on bottom” silhouette that so many women rock.
But just to make sure we’re on the same page, here’s the deal: if your hips and thighs are wider than your shoulders and bust, congratulations – you’re rocking a pear shape (also called a triangle shape in some fashion circles).
The telltale signs:
- Shoulders that are narrower than your fabulous hips
- A bust that’s on the smaller side compared to your lower half
- A defined waistline that deserves to be shown off
- Fuller hips, thighs, and bottom that store all your womanly power
- Weight that loves to make itself at home in your lower body
The secret to swimwear success? Drawing eyes upward while creating balance. It’s not about hiding your gorgeous curves – it’s about strategic styling that puts YOU in control of where attention goes.
According to swimwear design expert Maria Garcia at Fashion Institute of Technology, “The key principle for dressing a pear-shaped body is creating visual balance between the upper and lower body segments, which is particularly important in swimwear where less fabric means more emphasis on silhouette.”
Most Flattering Swimsuits for Pear Shape – The List
🏆Best Swimsuit Styles for Pear Shapes
1. Halter Neck Swimsuits
If you haven’t embraced halter tops yet, you’re missing out on your pear shape’s secret weapon. These neck-tying wonders instantly create the illusion of broader shoulders – exactly what we want for flattering swimwear for pear-shaped women!
The magic happens with those vertical halter straps that elongate your torso while that open shoulder design counterbalances your wider hips. And for us 50+ goddesses, look for halters with substantial straps that offer real support, not those flimsy string versions.
How halters help pear shapes: The vertical lines draw the eye upward while the open shoulder design creates the illusion of width exactly where pear shapes need it most.
- Design: This One Piece Swimsuit Boasts a Blend of Elegance and Flair with Its High Cross Neck. A Halter Design for Adjustable Support and a Wrap Style That Enchants, It Comes Complete with a Front Cutout and Ruched Detail to Sculpt Silhouette.
- About Cup Style: With Removable Soft Cups.
- Garment Care: Regular Wash. Recommend with Cold Water. Do not Use Bleach. Do not Tumble Dry.
Claudia’s Pick: CUPSHE Women’s Halter Wrap Ruched One Piece Swimsuit delivers serious tummy-smoothing power with elegant ruching and adjustable halter ties that let you customize support while drawing all eyes upward. No more disappearing into the background at the pool party!
2. V-Neck One-Piece Swimsuits
Want to create instant balance and length? The V-neck is your new best friend when shopping for flattering one-piece swimsuits for pear-shaped over 50 women. This magical neckline creates a vertical line that guides eyes up and away from your hips.
This isn’t just fashion fluff – it’s visual science! That deep V creates interest at your bust, naturally balancing wider hips. For us mature women, look for V-necks with moderate depth and hidden support – you can be sexy without going overboard.
Why V-necks work magic: The vertical line of the V elongates the torso while drawing attention to your décolletage area, balancing your proportions instantly.
- The swimsuit features a comfortable wide shoulder strap with a padded push-up bra that provides shape and support.
- Tempt Me swimsuit has a see-through hollow-out style and a deep V-neck design that adds a sultry, glamorous, and alluring touch to the bathing suit.
- The black long torso swimsuit adorably contours your curves, and the criss-cross back style takes the bathing suit to the next level.
Claudia’s Pick: Tempt Me Women’s Plunge V-Neck One-Piece Swimsuit features that perfect balance of sultry and sophisticated with mesh insets creating a slimming effect while still providing modest coverage. The tummy control panel works overtime so you don’t have to, and the high-cut leg design makes your legs look a mile long.
3. Swimsuits with Shoulder Details
Ready for a styling trick that works every time? Look for swimwear with details that party on your shoulders – ruffles, frills, interesting straps – anything that adds volume where you need it most.
These embellishments aren’t just pretty – they’re strategic visual balancers that create width exactly where pear shapes need it. For us sophisticated women over 50, skip the juvenile frills and go for structured details with clean lines and subtle textures.
How shoulder details balance pear shapes: Adding visual interest and volume to your shoulder area creates optical balance with wider hips and thighs.
- Multi Styles Ruffle One Piece Swimsuit: Elegance boat neck swimsuit, sexy slope shoulder swimsuit and sweet falbala collar swimsuit. Naughty spaghetti strap one piece…
- Tummy Control One Piece Bathing Suit: This swimsuit has a dramatic ruffled overlay that flatters and frames the shoulders. For curvy women who like a smooth tummy, this…
- Flatering Your Curves with Comfy Fit: This one piece bathing suit offers a chic twist on the classic full piece swimwear. The torso of this one piece offers plenty of…
Claudia’s Pick: Zinpretty Women’s Off Shoulder Ruffle Swimsuit delivers elegant ruffle details along the shoulder line that add visual width to your upper body. The tummy-control design creates a smooth silhouette while that off-shoulder style keeps all attention exactly where you want it – away from your hips!
4. High-Waisted Bikini Bottoms
Who says bikinis are just for the young? High-waisted bottoms are the vintage-inspired miracle every pear-shaped woman needs – they highlight the smallest part of your frame (hello, waist!) while providing coverage where you want it.
This isn’t your daughter’s low-rise nightmare – today’s high-waisted styles create a lovely vintage silhouette while strategically covering hips and tummy. Many come with tummy control panels that support without squeezing the life out of you.
According to a study published in the Journal of Fashion Marketing, high-waisted designs consistently rank among the most confidence-boosting swimwear styles for women with pear-shaped bodies because they emphasize the natural waistline while providing proportional balance.
Why high-waisted bottoms flatter pear shapes: They highlight the smallest part of your frame – your waist – while providing comfortable coverage for fuller hips and thighs.
- Design: This High Waisted Bikini Bottom with Ruched Designed to Flatter Your Figure. Tummy Control Feature Ensures a Smooth and Slimming Effect.
- Perfect Bathing Suit Shorts for Beach Vacation or Regular Water Activities.
- Garment Care: Regular Wash. Recommend with Cold Water. Do not Use Bleach. Do not Tumble Dry.
Claudia’s Pick: CUPSHE Women’s High Waisted Bikini Bottom sits right at your natural waistline (the smallest part of you!), with moderate coverage that flatters while elongating your legs. The ruching adds vintage flair while secretly providing comfortable tummy control. Pair with any eye-catching top to complete your beach transformation.
5. Swim Dresses with A-Line Skirts
Who says coverage can’t be cute? A swim dress with an A-line shape is the ultimate hip-concealing, confidence-boosting option for pear shapes who want more coverage without looking matronly.
The genius is in that gentle A-line flare that skims over your hips and thighs without adding volume. To keep the focus upward, choose swim dresses with interesting necklines or details on top – balance is everything!
How A-line swim dresses help pear shapes: The gentle flare skims over fuller hips and thighs without adding bulk, while creating a feminine silhouette that flatters your curves.
- Introducing our Women’s Swim Dress: This elegant swimsuit features a retro twist-front bandeau design with built-in padded cups and self-tie halter straps, providing support and a flattering push-up effect.
- Features: Blue Dot Tummy Control Bathing Suit is designed with a ruched waist to subtly hide your midsection, to provide a slimming silhouette. This one piece swimsuit with skirt exudes a chic allure and creates a captivating ambiance.
- Design: For your comfort and security, this modest bathing suit skirt includes a built-in brief and a full-lining design to ensure adequate coverage and prevent the fabric from being seen through.
Claudia’s Pick: Tempt Me Women’s Vintage Swimdress creates that perfect A-line silhouette with a flattering V-neckline that draws the eye upward. The built-in shorts provide worry-free coverage while the skirted design gracefully flows over hips and thighs without adding bulk. Beach volleyball, anyone?
6. Off-Shoulder Swimsuits
Want an instant shoulder-widening effect? Off-shoulder swimwear creates a horizontal line across your upper body that visually expands your shoulder area – it’s optical illusion styling at its finest for women with pear body types looking for flattering swimwear!
For women embracing their 50+ beauty, choose off-shoulder styles with sufficient support and coverage – many now come with built-in shelf bras and longer torsos designed specifically for our needs.
Why off-shoulder styles balance pear shapes: The horizontal line created by the off-shoulder design instantly makes shoulders appear wider, creating visual balance with your hips.
- Off-Shoulder Swimsuit: This swimsuit comes with adjustable and removable straps and padded bras for shaping and providing good support. You can wear it in two ways, depending on the occasion.
- Ruffle Swimsuit: This black white off-shoulder one piece swimsuit with ruffle style is perfect for Hawaii, your honeymoon, a beach holiday, or vacation. It will make you look fantastic and generous.
- Flounce Bathing Suit: The Tempt Me bathing suit with flounce fabulously shows your long torso, making you look slimming and charming.
Claudia’s Pick: Tempt Me Women’s Off Shoulder Ruffled One-Piece Swimsuit features those game-changing ruffles along the neckline that add volume to your upper body while creating the appearance of broader shoulders. The ruched torso keeps everything smooth while built-in padding ensures comfortable support that lasts all day.
7. Tankinis with Patterned Tops
Can’t decide between a one-piece and bikini? The tankini is your perfect compromise – offering one-piece coverage with two-piece convenience. The pear shape secret? Choose patterned tops paired with solid, darker bottoms.
The true magic of tankinis for pear shapes is the ability to mix sizes – because let’s be honest, how many of us are the same size top and bottom? Look for tops with built-in shaping and bottoms with adequate hip coverage.
How tankinis help pear-shaped figures: They allow you to purchase different sizes for top and bottom while the longer top provides coverage without the restriction of a one-piece.
- Design: This stylish tankini set features textured fabric mid rise bottom and a bandeau top with removable and adjustable strap, adding a touch of elegance. The halter neckline and side drawstrings provide a comfortable fit. About Cup Style: with removable soft cups.
- About Pattern Style: The swimsuit pattern is one of a kind – the exact floral pattern you receive will be slightly different than the one shown.
- Garment Care: Regular Wash. Recommend with Cold Water. Do not Use Bleach. Do not Tumble Dry.
Claudia’s Pick: CUPSHE Women’s Tankini Set pairs a vibrant floral patterned top (hello, attention up here!) with solid high-waisted bottoms that provide excellent coverage. The flowing design creates volume on top while the high-waisted bottoms highlight your smaller waist – it’s proportion perfection!
8. Color-Block Swimsuits
Sometimes, the simplest tricks are the most effective. Color-block swimsuits strategically use darker colors on the bottom and brighter colors on top to create visual balance without any complicated design elements.
This isn’t just a passing trend – it’s visual science that draws attention where you want it while minimizing areas you’d prefer to downplay. This clever style trick works equally well on one-pieces and two-pieces.
How color blocking helps pear shapes: Darker colors visually minimize your lower half while brighter colors draw attention to your upper body, creating instant balance.
Claudia’s Pick: Miraclesuit Women’s Color Block One Piece Swimsuit harnesses the power of strategic color blocking with lighter shades drawing eyes upward away from your hips. Built-in tummy control and adjustable straps provide customizable support, while the patented Miratex fabric works harder than any other to shape your figure (without suffocating you!).
What to Avoid When You’re Pear-Shaped
Not all swimwear deserves a place in your beach bag. These styles actually work against your gorgeous pear shape:
- Horizontal stripes or bold patterns on the bottom half – why draw extra attention to your widest area?
- String bikinis with minimal coverage that emphasize the size difference between your top and bottom
- Boy shorts that make your hips look even wider (counterintuitive, I know!)
- Low-rise bottoms that cut across the widest part of your hips (who invented these?)
- Suits with embellishments focused on the hip area that add visual width exactly where you don’t want it
Celebrity stylist Jennifer Austin notes on her style blog that the wrong swimsuit style can actually amplify proportion challenges rather than solving them, which is why understanding your body type is crucial before swimwear shopping.
Best Colors and Patterns for Pear Shapes
Color isn’t just about looking pretty – it’s a strategic tool in your swimwear arsenal when you’re shopping for flattering swimsuits for pear-shaped figures:
- Design: Adjustable halter neck strap, Moderate coverage and support, Gold metal sliders, Sexy backless, Non-removable cups
- Slimming Tankini Top: The two piece tummy control tankini swimsuit creates a slimming silhouette, hiding your belly still contours curves perfectly
- Swimsuit with Short: The push up tankini tops with high waisted shorts, the triangle high waisted shorts provide safety during swimming
- Dark, solid colors on the bottom (black, navy, dark brown) create an instant slimming effect
- Bright colors, patterns, and details on top draw the eye upward where you want attention
- Vertical stripes elongate your figure – visual magic!
- Color blocking with darker shades on bottom creates instant visual balance
- All-over small prints can distract from figure challenges better than large, bold prints ever could
Accessorizing Your Swimwear
Your swimsuit is just the beginning! The right accessories can enhance your beach look and further balance your pear-shaped proportions:
- Wide-brimmed hats don’t just protect from sun – they draw attention upward
- Statement earrings or necklaces keep focus on your upper body where you want it
- A-line cover-ups that skim over hips without adding bulk
- Sarongs tied at the waist highlight your smallest area while providing coverage
- Sheer kimono-style cover-ups add visual interest to your upper body
Beach accessories brand Seaside Collective recommends choosing cover-ups and accessories that work in harmony with your swimsuit to create a cohesive look that flatters your natural shape.
Embracing Your Shape with Confidence
Let’s get one thing straight – finding flattering swimwear isn’t about hiding your body, it’s about celebrating your unique shape and owning your confidence.
- DESIGNER SWIMWEAR — This one shoulder keyhole tankini swimsuit offers the versatility of a bikini top (you can mix and match bottoms) with the coverage of a one-piece.
- FIGURING-FLATTERING TANKINI — Shaping fit with tummy control masks worry areas for a confident fit.
- MIX-AND-MATCH VERSATILITY — With so many colors to choose from, you can create different combinations by pairing with swim bottoms in different patterns.
Your pear shape gives you a naturally feminine silhouette with a defined waist that many women would kill for. Those curves are absolutely beautiful at any age!
The most important thing? Finding a swimsuit that makes YOU feel comfortable and confident. When you feel good in what you’re wearing, it shows – and that confidence is more magnetic than any particular body shape could ever be.
So embrace your gorgeous pear shape, shop with these guidelines in mind, and get ready to turn heads at the pool or beach this season!
Age-Appropriate Considerations for Women Over 50
Finding flattering swimsuits for pear-shaped older women comes with unique considerations:
- Support matters more: Look for suits with built-in shelf bras, molded cups, or underwire
- Fabric quality: Choose swimwear with quality, thicker fabrics that provide better support and coverage
- Sun protection: Consider tankinis or rashguards if you’re concerned about sun exposure
- Leg coverage: Moderate leg cuts that aren’t too high can provide comfort while still being flattering
- Tummy control: Many suits now offer gentle compression without feeling restricting
FAQ: Common Questions About Swimsuits for Pear Shapes
What is the most flattering swimsuit style for a pear-shaped body?
Halter tops and high-waisted bottoms consistently rank as the most flattering combination for pear shapes. The halter draws attention upward and creates width at the shoulders, while high-waisted bottoms highlight your waist and provide comfortable coverage for hips and thighs.
Can pear-shaped women wear bikinis?
Absolutely! Pear shapes can look stunning in bikinis—just focus on styles with detail on top (ruffles, bright patterns) paired with solid, darker bottoms. High-waisted bikini bottoms are especially flattering for pear-shaped women over 50.
How do I find swimwear that fits when my top and bottom are different sizes?
Tankinis and bikinis sold as separates are your best friends! Many brands now offer mix-and-match options so you can buy the sizes that fit your proportions. Look for retailers that sell tops and bottoms individually.
What’s the best one-piece swimsuit for a pear shape?
Look for one-pieces with V-necks, halter tops, or interesting shoulder details. Ensure there’s enough room in the hip area while still fitting properly at the bust. Ruching through the midsection can provide flattering coverage.
Final Thoughts: Your Beach Confidence Action Plan
Finding swimwear that flatters your pear-shaped body doesn’t have to involve tears in the fitting room or hours of frustrating online shopping. Focus on balancing your proportions, drawing attention upward, and highlighting your naturally defined waistline.
With these tips and style recommendations, you’re now equipped with everything you need to find age-appropriate, flattering swimwear that makes you look and feel amazing.
Ready to take action? Start by assessing your current swimwear collection against these guidelines. Then, choose one style from our recommendations that speaks to you and your personal style. Remember, the most attractive thing you can wear is your confidence!
Shop our curated collection of the most flattering swimsuits for pear shapes here or sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive swimwear tips delivered straight to your inbox.
Have you found the perfect swimsuit for your pear shape? Share your success story in the comments below!
Claudia Faucher is a full-time fitness training expert and lifestyle blogger. She is also been a certified Les Mills BodyPump instructor for the past 5 years and a fitness instructor for over 20 years. Claudia is a personal trainer and creates fitness training programs for seniors and people of all ages. She likes to use her skills and experiences to help others on their fitness journeys.
Last update on 2025-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API