The Metro.Style Swimsuit Project: Our Expert Guide For Petite Women

Short women, we feel you!

Being petite with a shorter-than-usual built and much smaller proportions overall is a double-edged sword. It's a blast shopping for RTW tops and dresses in retail stores—but when it comes to swimsuit shopping, it's a totally different situation. A lot of swimsuits may seem ill-fitting, and just plain frumpy. 

We've heard of petite-sized women tempted to browse the teens' sections, where it's likelier to find a one-piece suit or bikini in the right size. But of course, children's collections don't always offer suitable patterns, designs, colors, and cuts an adult women wants in her beach wardrobe! Not to worry, because the fashion gods heard our prayer—thankfully, there are plenty of petite-friendly, covetable pieces today.

With the right swimsuit, even short ladies can feel tall and sexy. After all, we at Metro.Style are firm believers that every body is a swimsuit body!

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The Metro.Style Swimsuit Project

We are huge advocates of being a hundred percent accepting of every body shape there is in existence, plus the natural processes that govern women's bodies and the physical changes that result from them. 

In our book, nursing mothers are allowed to wear bikinis. Full-figured girls are definitely most welcome to flaunt their assets in a swimsuit they love. Athletic women look killer in their work out gear, and in a bathing suit. Petite gals and flat-chested women are just as sexy on the beach, too! 

Really—it's all about loving and owning your body. It's a lesson we've been told time and time again, but we remind all women that we dress up for ourselves and not for others. And besides, what else would you wear to the beach other than a swimsuit that makes you feel just as hot, or heck, even hotter, than the sun blazing down on you? 

With this in mind, we developed the ultimate guide to help you find the best swimsuit for your body type. With the rise of more and more fashion labels that feel the same way about body positivitiy as we do, we're happy to say that more women can rediscover the joys of shopping for swimwear this summer and beyond—sans their insecurities and fears of not finding a style, size, or cut that suits them to a tee. 

Featuring real women from different fields combined with expert opinions from fashion veterans like our very own Metro Magazine Executive Editor and celebrity stylist Kat Cruz-Villanueva, this ultimate swimwear guide serves to prove to women that they are, in fact, swimsuit-ready in their own right and have nothing else to worry about besides staying happy and healthy. 

Every body is a swimsuit body!

 

For this article, we will be styling two petite women: a traveller-on-the-go and a mommy-of-two.

One METRO-approved tip in finding the perfect swimsuit for this body type is to favor suits that help you look longer. Color and cut are key to help you exude a feminine and mature allure.

To read our expert guide in finding the best swimsuits for this body type, scroll ahead!

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Michelle Cruz

Country Marketing Lead for Klook, 27 years old

Instagram: @_cruzmichelle

 

Tell us something about yourself

"I’m the Country Marketing Lead for Klook, the world’s leading travel activities and services booking platform. I drive the brand’s user acquisition and marketing efforts in the Philippines."

 

What kind of lifestyle do you live? 

"Working for a travel brand allows me to be always on-the-go. I get to discover new cities and experiences! I also work with like-minded partners who are enabling movement and empowering Filipinos to broaden their horizons and see the world."

 

What are the challenges you encounter in finding a swimsuit?

"I shop online for clothes and shoes, but I find it particularly challenging to buy a swimsuit without having to try it on first. Sometimes, it’s not enough to rely on previous sizes or models who appear to have the same body type."

 

What do you look for in a swimsuit?

"Classic one-piece swimsuits are my go-to style. If there’s one thing I look for, it’s always function over trendy designs and styles."

 

Editor's Style Tip

Michelle enjoys traveling and seeking adventures. We styled her in a fun, deep teal number that perfectly flatters her golden skintone. Petite women look great in a monochromatic suit because a solid palette creates longer, leaner lines. 

Michelle sports a one-piece suit from Coral Swimwear (@coralswimwearph)

 

 

 

What do you think of your look? 

"It’s very classic. I think it strikes a good balance between baring skin and feeling comfortable. It’s a lot more functional too—perfect for women like me who enjoy moving around and trying out different activities on the beach."

 

How does finding the right swimsuit help you love your body more?

"Finding the right swimsuit helps me understand my body’s curves. It a lot easier when you know your body’s shape and fully embrace it. More than anything, it’s important that you feel good and confident about it! There’s always so many great swimsuits for every woman and every body. As with everything else: Do you."

 

 

Ava Te-Zabat

Full-Time Mommy and Lifestyle Blogger, 30 years old

Instagram: @artsyava

 

 

Tell us something about yourself

“I’m a full-time mom and a content creator. My hobbies are pretty simple—I love writing, working on arts and crafts, and reading.”

 

 What kind of lifestyle do you live? 

“On school days, my morning is allotted for my youngest son. I take him to school and bring him home. Usually, my afternoons are allotted for blogging events. If I have backlogs, that’s when I work. I also like doing arts and crafts, but lately, the blogging scene has been a bit busy, so that’s where most of my time goes.”

 

 What are the challenges you encounter in finding a swimsuit?

“Sometimes, the sizing can be challenging! And before high-waisted pieces became popular, I also struggled with bikini pieces that were a tad revealing. But now, with high-waisted pieces, I’ve become a little bit more confident to wear two-piece swimsuits—I would only wear one piece suits before! I’m happy because now, there are more options, more designs, and more variety.”

 

What do you look for in a swimsuit?

“I like pieces that cover my mommy pouch. I also like swimsuits that are on the conservative side. I would never wear something too revealing! My options are always high-waisted bottoms, girly pieces, and maybe swimsuits that have light, cute shades. I also like pieces that I can mix and match with my other clothes.”

 

Editor's Style Tip

Ava has a petite, dainty built. We dressed her up in a feminine, two-piece set that matches her sweet personality. The high-waist bikini bottom creates the illusion of a longer torso, making her appear taller and longer.

Ava dons a cute, flirty set from Pearly Pop Swimwear (@pearlypopswimwear)

 

 

Read the rest of The #MetroStyleSwimsuitProject?:

Our expert guide for athletic women

Our expert guide for bottom-heavy women

Our expert guide for women with large breasts

Our expert guide for women with small cups

 

Produced by Hershey Neri (@heyhershey)

Photography by Ria Regino (@riaregino)

Creative direction by Chookie Cruz (@theonlychookiecruz)

Writers: Hershey Neri (@heyhershey) and Sara de los Reyes (@saraloopdeloop)

Styled by John Karunungan (@johnkaranungan) and Hillary Lee (@hi_hieellz) of Styleditgroup (@styleditgroup)

Makeup by Myrtle Ruaza Gallardo on Michelle, and by Bea Hernandez (@beahernandezmakeup) on Ava, in partnership with Inglot Philippines (@inglotph)

Hair by Jayr Tuliao and Joshua Estrope of Bianca Festejo Salon (@Bianca Festejo Salon), and

Sam Corbillon and Jennifer Pascual of Triple Luck Brow & Nail Salon (@tripleluckbrowandnailsalon)

Editorial Assistant: Cara Tirona

Special thanks to Pria’s Kitchen (@priaskitchen)