Hide Love Handles in a Swimsuit [9 practical tips] (2023)

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Sometimes, love handles are a fact of life. That doesn’t mean we all haven’t asked “how do I hide my love handles in a swimsuit?” once swimwear season rolls around again.

Love handles are those little lumps around the abdomen-hip area that have a habit of peeping out of swimsuits or creating a ‘sagging’ look. You can pack your love handles away in a high-waisted one-piece bottoms or smooth over them in a proper fitting one-piece swimsuit. There are even some camouflaging illusions that can help to keep love handles at bay.

Want to know more?

Pink Striped Swimsuit
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Turtle Swimsuit
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Pineapple Swimsuit
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Blue Striped Swimsuits
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What exactly are love handles?

Love handles is the affectionate term for pockets of fat that form around the hip and aren’t always, well, easy to handle. Also known as a ‘muffin top,’ this is simply just how some people’s body stores excess fat.

Almost everyone at one time in their lives will get to meet their own love handles. They can grow due to hormonal fluctuations, changes in eating habits, stress, lifestyle changes, etc. Some body types are also more likely to form love handles than others, with oval shape bodies being the number one contender.

And when they appear, the best we can do is accept them. So, instead of pulling at them in frustration and wishing them away, we can learn to live with (and maybe love) our love handles by dressing for them.

Flamingo – Father and Son
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Turtle Palm – Father and Son
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Ocean
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Pineapple Palm – Father and Son
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How to hide love handles in a swimsuit?

You can have your swimsuit and wear it too. Once you try out a few of the following swimwear tricks, you’ll never have to worry about your love handles again.

And, if you weren’t quite wondering how to hide a muffin top but were asking, “How do I hide belly fat in a swimsuit?” It’s your lucky day. The same methods that hide love handles also just happen to work for belly fat!

As well, we’d like to preface the following tips by saying that they’re not rules! If any of the below makes you uncomfortable or goes against the style you’re most comfortable in, give it a skip, and jump on to the next one – they all work – we promise.

Go for dark colors over light colors:

Dark colors are famed for their slimming effect. For example, black and brown can essentially ‘cut out’ your silhouette, creating the illusion of a slimmer frame. On the other hand, light colors, like white, cream, khaki and neutrals, can add pounds and give the illusion of a larger frame.

But that doesn’t mean you have to deny yourself of all colors. Instead, why not opt for a right on-trend dark green or blue swimsuit? A sumptuous, rich, and ‘full-bodied’ red can also occasionally have the same slimming effect.

Choose a one-piece bathing suit instead of a bikini:

One-piece bathing suits certainly offer invaluable coverage to those looking to camouflage specific areas. However, their abilities go so much further than that, thanks to their shaping powers. You see, a properly fitting one-piece swimsuit can ‘hold you in’ carving out your silhouette and ‘smoothing’ over any of those pesky ‘bumpy’ areas.

Try a coverup:

With its fashionable appeal, we probably won’t have to persuade you to throw on some beachwear. Kaftans are loosely fitting yet always flattering and freely flowing. Sarongs are much the same but perfect for lighter, more casual ensembles. Both offer the ideal solution to hiding love handles and other ‘worry areas.’

High-waisted bottoms:

If you’ve been shopping for a swimsuit recently, you’ve definitely noticed the high-waist, hip-baring trend. This is a dream come true for those looking to hide their muffin top. You get to flatter your silhouette while tucking your love handles into these trendy bottoms – a win-win!

Pick your patterns wisely: If you love big and bold patterns – more power to you! You should never dampen your inner fashionista in the name of looking slimmer. But, if this time you’re just looking for a little extra support, or if you prefer smaller patterns – you’re in luck! Small, repetitive, but striking patterns have a naturally slimming effect.

And while prints aren’t always as slimming as solid colors, you can make them work for you by playing up their camouflaging features.

Keep an eye out for a swimsuit with a patterk. Think along the line (excuse the pun) of lines, small polka dots, hearts, or flowers which will give you a streamlined look.

Stripes:

A reliable go-to that’s been a fashion industry favorite for decades: the slimming power of vertical stripes. These stripes create a ‘lengthening’ effect that makes your silhouette look longer rather than wider (avoid horizontal lines at all costs!)

Tip: If you feel uncomfortable sitting down, pack an extra towel to wrap around you while relaxing.

Turtle Swimsuit
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Ibiza 2-Pack Swim Shorts
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Pink Striped Swim Shorts
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Blue Striped Swim Shorts
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How do you hide hip dips in swimsuits?

While doing our research on how to make love handles disappear under swimsuits, we discovered that many people were asking the ‘hip dip’ version of the question. So, to those asking “How do I hide my hip dips in a Swimsuit?” here’s out quick answer just for you:

Buck the trend:

We hear so much about high-rise swimsuits or bikini bottoms these days that it can be easy to forget that mid-rise and low-rise bottoms look just as good. They also just happen to not only cover hip dips, but if they’re the right size, they may even smooth them into your curves – ideal.

How do I look slim in a one-piece swimsuit?

Find your dimensions:

The right swimsuit fit can be the difference between a comfortably sculpted silhouette and having to pull and drag at your suit constantly. A too-small swimsuit will result in bulges, while a just-right fitting suit will smooth over any and all problem areas.

Material: designed to celebrate the curves of some ladies

Be bold:

Plunging necklines, high-waisted bottoms, striking colors – all of these style choices exude confidence. They draw the mind and eye away from your’ problem areas,’ leaving all the focus on your daring and oh-so-stylish swimsuit style choices.

Wear a hat:

A wide-brimmed hat can draw attention away from any insecurities you may have, plus it’s an en vogue fashion accessor that protects your skin from sun damage.

Get a tan:

Follow in the steps of fashion models and bodybuilders by drawing on the instant toning effects a faux tan can provide. Tan works in the same way as dark colors by distinguishing your frame from its surroundings.

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Pineapple Watermelon Swim Shorts
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Stripes 2-Pack Swim Shorts
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Turtle Palm – Father and Son
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And there you have it!

We hope our research has been successful and given you some insight into how to hide your love handles in a swimsuit.

Say goodbye to swimsuit body worries! Love handles, tummy bulges, and hip dips are a thing of the past for you. Enjoy strolling on the beach and swimming serenely without a care in the world.

And, while you have nothing to hide, there’s nothing quite as empowering as feeling good in your own skin. So, these tips aren’t meant to hide any of your beautiful self. Instead, they’re designed to flatter what you already have!