How to Feel Comfortable in a Swimsuit

Co-authored by Hannah Park

Last Updated: March 30, 2022 References

Feeling uncomfortable in a swimsuit is something that people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and clothing sizes can identify with. It's common to feel self-conscious in a swimsuit, but insecurity doesn’t have to prevent you from enjoying your time at the beach or pool. Preparing yourself by finding the right swimsuit for your body, gaining a body-positive mindset, and focusing on staying confident will help you to feel comfortable in a swimsuit.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Wearing a Swimsuit with Confidence

1
Find a swimsuit that flatters your body. Choose a style of swimsuit based off of your favorite features. A swimsuit that is made for your body type and accentuates your features will be easier to feel comfortable in.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- High-waisted swimsuit bottoms look good on most body types.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Hannah Park
  Professional Stylist
  Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.}
- If you like your collar bone, wear a bathing suit that has crossing bands in the front. This type of bathing suit will emphasize your manubrium (upper part of the sternum).
- If your legs are what you feel most confident about, choose a high cut bathing suit.
- Try a “modestkini” that covers up most of your body if you feel most confident wearing modest clothing.
- Go with an off-the-shoulder top if you have a small bust.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Hannah Park
  Professional Stylist
  Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.}
- Alternatively, pick a bathing suit that makes you feel more confident about an insecure area. If you are insecure about a small bust, choose a swimsuit top with ruffles or a triangle top to create the illusion of curves. If you are insecure about your thighs, try a bathing suit with a skirt.
2
Look into swim cover-ups. If the thought of wearing nothing but a swimsuit makes you nervous, consider a swim cover-up that accentuates the part of your body that you are insecure about. Cover-ups are a quick and fashionable way to ease into wearing your swimsuit around other people.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- High-waist shorts are a good cover-up if you are insecure about your lower back and hip area.
- A sarong wrap is a cute cover-up for your legs and thighs.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Hannah Park
  Professional Stylist
  Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.}
- A sundress or terry cloth robe are great cover-ups, too.
Advertisement
3
Pick out accessories. Chances are that no one is looking at the parts of your body that you perceive as flaws, but accessories can take the attention away from your swimsuit. Accessories are fun to wear and a great confidence boost. Choose fun sunglasses, cute wedges, or a floppy sunhat, and match it with your swimsuit.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Practice moderation when you choose accessories. Too many accessories at once can be distracting.
- Choose the right accessories for the occasion. It’s okay to wear wedges to a pool party, but they aren’t great to wear at the beach.
4
Identify what parts of your body you are happy with. You may feel uncomfortable with your body in a swimsuit, but most everyone has a body part they love. Perhaps you have great hair, a pretty smile, or toned legs. Admiring positive aspects of your physical appearance will help you find the confidence to put on a swimsuit. ^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Discern what parts of your body people compliment. Also recognize what parts of your body you try to accentuate on a daily basis.
- Everyone has positive physical traits. You just have to recognize them.
5
Establish that all sizes can be beautiful. The ideal body is often portrayed as a thin man or woman in a small swimsuit, but remember that there is no true ideal body. Choosing a swimsuit with a coverage amount that seems less than ideal can be intimidating, when in fact, the ideal amount of coverage is the one that fits you best. Remember that the only amount of coverage that matters is the amount that you feel healthy and happy in.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- This being said, you should still measure your swimsuit size to make sure you choose a swimsuit that fits your body correctly. You'll feel much more comfortable if you don't need to worry about the swimsuit snapping or sagging!

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting in the Right Mindset

1
Counter negative thoughts. Remember to be grateful for your body. Instead of worrying over body parts that don’t appear quite the way you would like them to, be grateful that you are in the position to go the beach, pool, or lake. Focusing on what your body does for you prevents negative thoughts from setting in.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Alternatively, if you are focusing on one body part that you are insecure about, counteract it with thinking of a body part that you are confident about. For example, if you are insecure about your legs, remind yourself that you have great arms.
2
Refrain from pointing out your flaws. It is sometimes tempting to point out your flaws to other people. Repeatedly pointing out your flaws will lead you to believing in what you say over time.
- Pointing out your flaws around others will make them uncomfortable and possibly make them think that you will look for flaws in them, too.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
3
Ignore media messages. Remember that you are more than your body. Societal pressure and media has placed an importance on an ideal body type, but it is important to remember that you are not your body. A healthy body is important, but in the end, it is “just” a body. What matters is how you act, what you are passionate about, and how you treat others. People will focus on how you portray yourself far more than they will focus on a swimsuit.^{[11]
X
Research source}
4
Practice wearing your swimsuit. Spend time in your swimsuit or in clothing that you would not normally wear. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but doing this will help you build the courage to wear a swimsuit without negative thoughts.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Start by wearing your swimsuit around your home. Spend time walking around or going about your daily activities as usual.
- Next, invite a few people over for a beach-themed party. Specify on the invite that they should wear their swimsuits or beach attire.
- Once you are feeling more comfortable in your swimsuit, visit a local pool. Perhaps visit during a slow hour or day when it isn’t too crowded.
- Go out to the beach, lake, or pool without considering how many people might be there once you’ve started to feel comfortable in your swimsuit.
5
Surround yourself with the right people. Spending time with people that are overly critical of themselves will eventually rub off on you. Especially avoid people that act negatively towards you. Surrounding yourself with positive people will be beneficial to you.^{[13]
X
Research source}
6
Meditate on the positive. Spend five to ten minutes thinking body-positive thoughts before you head out in your swimsuit. Clear your mind of judgment and insecurities. Beginning your time in your swimsuit with the right mindset prevents discomfort that stems from harmful thoughts.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Repeat to yourself mantras such as “may I be happy.”

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Staying Comfortable in Your Swimsuit

1
Don’t compare yourself to others. A quick way to ruin comfort and confidence is to compare yourself with others. Try to remember that every body is unique, and everyone else wearing a swimsuit is probably experiencing insecurity, too. Celebrate the differences instead of admiring one, specific type of body.^{[15]
X
Research source}
2
Remember why you are wearing your swimsuit. You are probably wearing a swimsuit to go to a pool, beach, or lake. Don’t let discomfort ruin your experience. Remember that you are there first and foremost to enjoy yourself and the company of others.^{[16]
X
Research source}
3
Understand that you are your most critical judge. Nobody is as critical of your body as you are. Almost everyone exaggerates their physical flaws. You may be the only one who notices what you perceive as an imperfection.^{[17]
X
Research source}
4
Deflect negative attention. There is most likely no reason for anyone to say anything hurtful you. If someone does say something negative about you, do your best to not let it get to you.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Return their negativity with a compliment. If someone says that you don’t look good in the swimsuit you’re wearing, respond by complimenting his or her, accessories, item of clothing, or hair.
- Let them know that what they said is hurtful and change the subject. Tell the person that insulted you that you don’t appreciate the inappropriate behavior, and move on by commenting on the occasion or your surroundings.
- Ignore the comment and continue talking to your friends. Act as if you didn’t hear what was said and talk to your friends about a subject that is unrelated to the negative comment.
5
Refocus your thoughts. Staying comfortable might be going well at first, but insecurities may start coming to mind as time passes in your swimsuit. If that happens, take a few minutes to return to your meditation. Recall what you like about yourself, why you’re there, and that you should be happy.
6
Practice confidence and positivity. Be confident despite your anxieties. Nothing is sexier than being confident with yourself if you make peace with your body. It’s easier said than done, but it is possible with perseverance.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I pick the right swimsuit for my body type as a woman?

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Hannah Park is a professional stylist and personal shopper with experience in e-comm styling, celebrity styling and personal styling. She runs an LA-based styling company, The Styling Agent, where she focuses on understanding each individual she works with, and crafting wardrobes according to their needs.

Hannah Park

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

You can't go wrong with high-waisted swimsuit bottoms, which look flattering on all body types. If you have a small bust, opt for an off-the-shoulder swimsuit top.
Question

I want something that isn't revealing or tight. Are there medium sleeve tee-shirts with boy swim shorts I can wear as a girl?

Community Answer

There are boy swim clothes that girls can wear, but the tops tend to be loose and baggy in the places where it is uncomfortable, but tight in the chest. Boy swim shorts are good, but quite baggy in the crotch and tight on the hips.
Question

What if my mom is always pressuring me to be confident with my body, but I'm not?

Community Answer

Well, body confidence is a tough thing to get through, and your mom saying that you need to be confident is not going to make you confident. You need to want to feel confident, which sounds dumb, but what I mean is if you are constantly putting yourself down, or looking in the mirror and only focusing on the things you don't like about yourself, then you will most likely have a tough time getting confidence. If working out helps you get confidence, go ahead and work out. (That's what gives me confidence in my body.) Try buying some nice panties or bras, because little things that only you will know you're wearing can make you feel really great.

Warnings

Never engage in unhealthy diet practices. Compromising your health is not worth the potential change in your appearance.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 16 Not Helpful 2