If you're after the best bikini bottoms for love handles, you're in good company. Many of us have a bit extra around the hips, and it shouldn't stop anyone enjoying the beach or the pool.
The right cut, colour and fabric can help you feel supported rather than self-conscious. Here's what we'd suggest looking for, plus a few styles worth trying first.
What To Look For In Bikini Bottoms For Love Handles
Before you scroll through endless prints and cuts, it helps to know what actually works. A few simple details make a real difference to comfort and shape.
Darker Colours
Dark colours are an easy win. Navy, charcoal and black all have a naturally slimming effect, and they draw the eye away from the hips. In our experience, these shades pair well with almost any top, so you get more wear from one bottom.
If you want a reliable go-to, a black bikini is hard to beat. Look for a wide waistband and decent stretch, so it holds its shape after a swim rather than rolling at the edges.
High-Waisted Bottoms
High-waisted bottoms sit above the hip bone rather than cutting straight across it. That makes a big difference. Instead of squeezing love handles into a tight band, the fabric sits smoothly over the waist.
We've found that high waisted bikini bottoms with a soft, ruched front are especially flattering. The gathered fabric adds texture, which softens the silhouette without feeling restrictive. They also give a lovely retro look on the beach.
Patterns and Prints
Print is often underrated. Vertical lines, small-scale patterns and abstract prints all create movement across the fabric. This draws the eye along the body rather than across it.
Try to avoid huge, bold prints stretched across a tiny cut, as they can do the opposite of what you want. A busy print on a well-fitted, higher-rise bottom tends to work best.
Florals, abstract swirls and muted animal print are good places to start.
More Coverage
Sometimes, more fabric is exactly what you need. This is also what to go for if you’re looking for bikini bottoms for stretch marks.
Bottoms with a slightly higher leg and fuller seat, like hipster bikini bottoms, sit comfortably over the hips without digging in.
We always tell customers that a fuller cut can still look stylish. Choose a cut that feels secure, so you can stop adjusting your bikini and start enjoying the water.
Best Bikini Bottoms for Love Handles
If you'd rather skip the guesswork, we've picked five of our favourite shaping and high-waisted bottoms below. Each one covers a different fit, print and coverage level, so there's something here whatever your style.
Savanna Ruched High Waist Bikini Pant
The Savanna Ruched High Waist Bikini Pant comes in a warm, earth-toned abstract print and offers full coverage at the rear. Its ruched front panel smooths the tummy and flatters the waistline, while the high rise sits comfortably over the hips. The fully lined fabric holds its shape well after a swim.
Bel Air High Waist Bikini Pant
For a classic look, the Bel Air High Waist Bikini Pant pairs black with a crisp white waistband. It has a medium leg and moderate rear coverage, with shaping elastane woven through the fabric for a flattering, supportive fit.
Dots Maxi Bikini Pant
The Dots Maxi Bikini Pant brings a polka dot swirl print with a snake-print feel. It's a high-waisted style with medium tummy control, a medium leg line and full rear coverage. It’s a wonderful choice if you want extra reassurance without sacrificing style.
Fior Di Limone Gathered Side Bikini Pant
Soft lemons, green leaves and blossoms sit on a pale Sorrento Sky blue base in the Fior Di Limone Gathered Side Bikini Pant. Its classic cut and wide gathered sides give a smooth, easy fit, and it pairs nicely with any top from the same collection.
Caracus Mid Bikini Pant
The Caracus Mid Bikini Pant is a textured, ripple knit style in earthy khaki. It offers moderate coverage with a medium leg. The Powermesh panelling on the front and back gives gentle tummy control throughout the day.
Do High Waisted Bikinis Really Hide Love Handles?
It's a fair question, and one we get asked often. High-waisted bottoms lift the tummy and smooth the waistline, but they don't erase love handles completely. Fuller-coverage, high-waisted bottoms sometimes squeezed the hips, while cheekier cuts felt more comfortable without fully hiding the area.
We agree with that. No single style hides everything, and that's fine. In our experience, comfort and support matter more than trying to disappear.
Does Your Body Shape Change What You Need?
Cut and coverage matter, but body shape plays a role too. Knowing the best bikini styles for different body shapes can help you narrow down options faster, especially if love handles show up alongside other areas you'd like to balance.
If your hips and thighs are curvier than your shoulders, you likely have a pear shape. The best approach is to add interest up top and keep the bottom simple. A bikini for pear shape works well with a mid-rise cut in a plain, dark fabric. Pair it with a bold or textured top. This draws the eye upward and creates better balance across your whole silhouette.
An hourglass figure already has a defined waist, so the goal is to keep that definition. Swimwear for hourglass body shape usually means a higher-cut leg line and a fitted waistband. We'd avoid anything too boxy, as it can hide your natural shape. A ruched or wrap-style bottom works beautifully here, since it follows your curves instead of covering them up.
Your Perfect Bikini Bottom Is Out There
At the end of the day, the best bikini bottoms for love handles are simply the ones that feel right on you. Try a few cuts, colours and prints before deciding what works best. Fit and comfort will always matter more than chasing one "perfect" style.
Explore our hand-picked range of bikini bottoms and find a cut that suits your shape, your style and your next holiday.