Women Campus | Hello beautiful!: The Best Summer Styles For Your Body

Pear

Your ideal bikini bottom has high-cut legs (boy shorts and other low-cut legs cut you off at your widest point, which is never flattering) and enough coverage in back so you don't feel too exposed. Side-ties and rings call attention to your hips, so avoid those styles. To balance out your lower half, look for push-up or padded tops.

Retro Push-Up Triangle Top and Matching Bottoms, $38 and $28, Victoria's Secret; Classic Bandeau Top and Wide-Band Bottom, $46 and $40, Jessica Simpson Collection; Solid Bandeau Bikini Top and Solid Ruched Bikini Bottom, $20 each, American Eagle.

Petite

Beware of bathing suits with too much fabric; you don't want to look like you're swimming in your swimsuit! Look for a suit with high-cut legs to maximize your leg length and try a bandeau top to show off your shoulders.

Ditsy Floral Bandeau Bikini and Mix and Match Bottom, $17 each, Old Navy and White Side Tie Bikini Pant, $25 and $16, Topshop; Polka Dot Bandeau Bikini and Mix and Match Bottom, $16 each, Old Navy.

Straight

Athletic styles (like Speedo one-pieces) and bandeaus can make you look lanky, so stay away from those. Instead, embrace pretty patterns to create curves. Look for a pattern in proportion to your body size; petite girls can wear small-scale prints, while plus-size girls can go for big, bold prints. In terms of silhouettes, pair a halter top with a basic bikini bottom, or try an edgy monokini, which is a one-piece suit with cool cut-outs.

Floral Ruffle Bandeau Top and Floral Ruffle Bottom, $38 and $16, Victoria's Secret; Ruffled Bandeau Swim Top and Ruffled Bikini Bottom, $20 each, Old Navy; Hello Kitty Monokini in Red, $30, Karmaloop.

Dresses

Curvy

Shift or sheath dresses work beautifully on your body. Look for tailored dresses with defined waists to highlight your smallest point. If your dress doesn't come with a clearly defined waist, belt it for instant shape. Empire waists also work on your body; the raised waist skims over your stomach, which makes this silhouette an ideal option to emphasize a smaller waist. Pay attention to necklines: showing a little décolleté in a scoop-neck or V-neck can create a flattering, streamlined effect.

Short Sleeve Belted Sheath, $38, Macy's; Floral Garden Party Sheath, $49, New York & Company; Mesh Yoke Sheath Dress, $35, YesStyle.

Busty

Open necklines, such as scoop-necks and V-necks, are perfect on busty girls, so stock up! The lines of these looks elongate your neck without showing too much skin. If you'd prefer to draw attention away from your chest, look for eye-catching details on the lower half of the dress, like a brighter or lighter skirt or embroidery around the hem.

Sparkle & Fade Knit Circle Dress, $32, Urban Outfitters; Floral Dress, $25, H&M; Yellow Frill Hem Dress, $48, Topshop.

Pear

Lucky you – 1950s-inspired dresses are back in style. This silhouette's defined waist and flared skirt make your torso look tiny while skimming over your hips and thighs. Make sure the waist of the dress hits at your natural waist and the dress creates interest by the neckline. (Tip: If the top of your dress is plain, add a statement necklace to draw the eye up to your face.) Thanks to your small chest, you don't necessarily need a supportive bra, so enjoy wearing strapless, spaghetti strap, or backless styles!

Orange chiffon frill dress, $40, Topshop; Bouquet of Posies Dress, $25, Forever 21; Coral Dress, $30, H&M.

Petite

Elongate your neck and torso with a V-neck and lengthen your legs with a hem that hits somewhere between mid-thigh and an inch above your knee. (Sure, short hemlines make your legs look long, but don't forget there's such a thing as too short!) Horizontal stripes will make you appear shorter and wider than you really are, but vertical stripes will make you look long and lean. Some brands offer petite dresses designed with your proportions in mind, so always ask a sales associate if a store carries petite sizes.

Surplice Knit Dress, $17, Forever 21; Sleeveless Striped Illusion Dress, $26, YesStyle; Pink Dress, $20, H&M.

Straight

Sheath dresses emphasize your lack of curves, so stay away from those. Instead, create depth and volume with draping, full sleeves, ruching, or ruffles. Wrap dresses are universally flattering; on your body, they give you a slim waist and add shapely curves. You also look great in "two-fer" dresses, which look like top-and-skirt combinations. These styles visually break up your upper and lower halves to create balance in straight body types.