Broad shoulders are striking, powerful, and beautiful. But when it comes to swimwear, finding a style that feels flattering and balanced for your body type can sometimes feel like searching for a seashell in the sand. It is possible, but you need to know where to look. The right swimsuit for wide shoulders enhances your natural shape, draws attention to your favorite features, and makes you feel effortlessly confident by the water.
At Gooseberry, we believe swimwear should be more than a piece of fabric. It’s a second skin designed to celebrate your body and empower you to feel your absolute best. Below, we’ll walk through the 6 best swimsuits for broad shoulders with styling tips, key features to look for, and of course, a few of our signature designs that merge comfort with couture.
Key Features to Look for in Bathing Suits for Broad Shoulders
When choosing bathing suits for broad shoulders, it’s all about creating balance. Certain cuts, straps, and neckline styles help soften the line of the shoulders while emphasizing curves at the waist and hips. The best designs draw attention inward or downward, elongating your figure and celebrating your unique body shape.
Gooseberry’s approach is rooted in thoughtful design, with pieces cut, dyed, and sewn by hand in Bali. Each swimsuit feels like a work of art, not just because of its delicate fabrics, but because it’s tailored to flatter women of every figure.
5 Flattering Swimsuit Styles for Broad Shoulders
Finding the right swimsuit for wide shoulders doesn’t mean hiding your frame. It’s about highlighting your best features with styles that celebrate your natural shape. Below are five timeless yet modern silhouettes that not only flatter but also empower you to feel confident the moment you step onto the beach or poolside.
1. Halter Neck Swimsuits
The halter is a timeless style that does wonders for broad shoulders. By creating a vertical line from the neck downward, halter straps pull the eye to the center of the chest, elongating the torso while minimizing width at the top.
A halter is also a great bikini for broad shoulders because it gives adjustable support without overwhelming your figure. Gooseberry’s halter neck bikinis are crafted with both structure and sensuality in mind. They offer sleek coverage paired with delicate details.
2. V-Neck and Plunging Necklines
When it comes to swimsuits for broad shoulders, nothing feels as effortlessly elegant as a deep V. The plunging neckline draws the eye inward, highlighting the waist or bust, and creating a vertical visual that balances out wider proportions.
A plunge one piece swimsuit is the perfect example of this. They are bold yet refined and offer just the right amount of coverage while enhancing your natural curves. This style is especially flattering for women with an athletic body or hourglass figure who want to accentuate their silhouette in a chic way.
3. Side Tie and Tanga Bottoms
Balance is the name of the game, and that’s where swim bottoms come in. Adding details like side ties or opting for a tanga cut helps draw the eye down to the hips and legs, creating proportion against a wider top frame.
If you’re searching for bathing suits for wide shoulders, pairing a simple top with a statement bottom can work wonders. Gooseberry’s bikinis embrace this philosophy with playful ties and subtle accents that create symmetry without sacrificing comfort.
4. Wide, Supportive Straps
For those who prefer extra support, wider straps are your best friend. Thin strings can accentuate the very shoulders you’re trying to soften, but broad straps distribute the line evenly, creating a more balanced look.
Gooseberry’s swimwear is designed with fit and function in mind. Our bathing suits have adjustable straps that hug the body where you need them most, while still looking feminine.
5. High-Cut Legs
Want to elongate your figure while balancing broader proportions? A high-cut suit works like magic. By drawing the eye to the legs and creating length, this style shifts focus downward, giving the illusion of narrower shoulders and a defined waist.
Paired with a simple top, a high-cut bottom makes the body appear taller and leaner — a perfect option for women who want both confidence and comfort in their swimwear. Gooseberry’s designs highlight this look with clean lines and chic finishes that enhance your natural curves.
At the end of the day, bikinis on real bodies are what inspire Gooseberry’s designs. We offer versatile pieces that highlight your favorite features and fit beautifully on every body shape.
What to Avoid When Choosing Bathing Suits for Broad Shoulders
Just as certain styles can beautifully enhance and balance broad shoulders, others may unintentionally highlight width or disrupt your natural silhouette. By skipping a few common missteps, you’ll find it easier to choose a swimsuit that feels harmonious, supportive, and endlessly flattering for your body type.
Thin, Horizontal Straps
While the string bikini may have its place, thin straps that run horizontally across the chest tend to emphasize width rather than balance it. If your goal is to enhance proportions, choose designs with angled straps or halters that soften the shoulders.
Busy Patterns on the Top
Excessive ruffles or bold patterns across the bust can visually widen the upper half of the body type. Instead, let your top half breathe with solids or minimal accents, while experimenting with playful patterns below. Gooseberry takes this approach across swimwear collections, where each suit thoughtfully balances color and print.
Extra Styling Tips for Broad Shoulders
With a few thoughtful styling touches, you can accentuate your curves, create balance, and step into summer with confidence. Think of these tips as the finishing brushstrokes that transform your swimwear into a masterpiece made for your unique body shape.
1. Color and Pattern Balance
Dark or neutral tops paired with lighter, patterned bottoms shift the focus downward. This creates symmetry and highlights your hips and legs in a way that feels flattering and feminine. Gooseberry often plays with color-blocking in swimsuit styles to accentuate the natural figure.
2. Draw the Eye Downward
Want to draw attention away from your shoulders? Look for bikinis with ruffled bottoms, high-waisted cuts, or embellishments on the lower half. These details bring the gaze downward, balancing the silhouette and giving you that perfect beach-ready look. Gooseberry’s collections embrace playful bottom accents that turn the focus exactly where you want it.
3. Create a Strong Silhouette
Strategic cut and color-blocking can completely transform how a swimsuit frames your body. Ruching at the waist, higher-cut legs, or sleek vertical lines help create an hourglass-inspired shape, even if your shoulders are naturally wider.
If you’re exploring types of one piece swimsuits, consider options with plunging cuts or belted waists. They highlight curves while elongating the frame which is the best of both worlds.
Embrace Your Shape with Gooseberry Swimwear
Broad shoulders are a beautiful feature that deserves to be celebrated. With the right swimsuits for broad shoulders, you can highlight your waist, enhance your curves, and find a fit that feels both chic and comfortable.
From halters to plunging one-pieces, Gooseberry offers swimwear designed to balance proportions and elevate the look. Every piece is cut, sewn, and finished with care so you can feel confident in your own skin.
Ready to find your next summer staple? Explore Gooseberry’s latest collection and shop the best swimsuits crafted to flatter every body type because swimwear should always make you feel like the most empowered version of yourself.
Adela Aubuchon
Adela Aubuchon brings a unique blend of artistic skill and fashion insight to Gooseberry Intimates, rooted in a lifelong passion influenced by her father’s craftsmanship in Bali. With a dual degree in Studio Arts & Communications from UCSB, she directs Gooseberry’s creative endeavors, from marketing to product development. Her artistry is visible in the brand’s refined designs and marketing campaigns, drawing inspiration from Bali’s rich traditions and vibrant lifestyle.
Adela aims to expand Gooseberry’s offerings into activewear and more ready-to-wear pieces, maintaining the brand’s focus on timeless, quality fashion that empowers women. Her personal style of effortless elegance deeply influences her creative decisions, ensuring each Gooseberry piece is both functional and fashionable.
