So you’ve finally planned that much-awaited (and needed) beach trip. Your beach outfits have been pre-planned and packed—including all the stylish swimwear you plan to flaunt during your getaway. You’ve even figured what OOTD to wear depending on your destination. Now all you need are the poses to match.
As a matter of fact, your pose in photos matter a lot more than you think. Your body language, camera angle, and composition are crucial in creating an Instagram-worthy post. If you’re not photogenic, you can actually create shapes with your body that can make your silhouette more flattering in pics. The right pose can make your slimmer, taller, and even more curvy, too!
If you think you’re limited to the typical “hands on waist” or the “one leg out,” there’s actually a whole lot more options to choose from. Here we rounded up the best poses to try in a bikini or one-piece swimsuit that will definitely bring in the likes and show off your best assets.
25 Sultry Swimsuit Poses Perfect for Instagram
1. Pull Your Hair Up + Arch Your Back in ¾ Angle
This pose is instantly slimming. Showing off ¾ of your body is always flattering since it minimizes your waist but makes your hips look shapely. Cop Bella Hadid and go the extra mile by pulling your wet hair back. The result is a snatched jawline and lifted cheekbones, too!
2. Look Away + Hip Out
Again, create the curves you want with the right angles! Here, Rhea Bue shows how you can make your hips look great in a simple pose that simply requires you to lean, look, away, and push out your hips! This is also great if you don’t want to show your face for the pic!
3. Back Arched and Shoulders Pushed Back + Head Towards the Camera
If you’re proud of your booty, then flaunt it! Angelique Manto has the perfect pose to try without looking too sexy. Let your natural silhouette and gorgeous tan do the talking with this nonchalant pose you can take even when you’re at your villa or hotel room.
4. The Butt Pop
You can trust supermodel Emily Ratajkowski when it comes to swimsuit pics that are undeniably sultry. But if you’re still feeling shy, take cues from her post and take your photo from a distance. This way your derrière can be the star of the photo and you won't need to show your face.
5. The “Pool Lean”
There’s a sense of serenity to this pose that works. If you’re tired from your laps, then lean on the pool ledge and snap a shot! The result is pretty cool, as seen here with Sarah Lahbati.
6. Hand on Waist + Low Angle
This pose is trendy among influencers and models for good reason. If you’re petite like Rei Germar, this pose elongates your torso and makes you instantly look slimmer. Not to mention, it’s a great way to flaunt your abs!
7. Look Away + Leg Over the Other
This is a great pose to do in the water and a celeb go-to for when they want to show off their swimsuit and the gorgeous scenery.
8. Lean Back + Legs Outstretched
Want to appear taller and longer in pics? Then try this! It’ll instantly elongate your silhouette.
9. Back Turned + Butt Out + Knee Popped
This gorgeous silhouette looks great against the setting sun! If you want your booty to do all the talking, you should definitely cop this pose and find a wall or rock to use to prop yourself up.
10. Lay Down + Knee Bent + Prop Your Head
Another easy way to create curves is to lay down and arch your back with your bum pushed out. This creates an hourglass figure while hiding your tummy, too!
11. Kneel Down + Arms Up Fixing Your Hair
You can never get tired of fixing your hair at the beach, especially when it’s windy. Why not do it while striking a pose? This makes your photo look “stolen” and you don’t need to explain why you’re flaunting your flawless pits or toned midsection.
12. Come Up For Air
If you’re a good swimmer, you should definitely try this pose to create an OOTD that looks a little less ordinary. You literally just need to float in the water and snap a pic!
13. Sit with a Knee Popped + Arm Bent Fixing Your Hair
This pose creates quite a dynamic shot as proven by Maggie Wilson. It’s a great way to show off a bikini with a lot of side details and also lengthens your legs. Again, the arm up and hand in your hair makes your photo look effortless.
14. Lean Back (Propped with One Arm) + Hand in Hair + Both Knees Bent
Here’s a great way to show off your figure and the gorgeous backdrop at the same time! This is a cool idea to make the wind work for you.
15. The Bikini Pull
Pose like you're “pulling up” or “fixing” your bikini bottom. Same goes for your bikini top, too! It’s quite the tease, but it looks good for the ‘gram.
16. Arms Up + Back Arched + Leg Stretched with One Knee Popped
Sarah really knows how to amplify her curves. This pose is perfect to do at the edge of the pool or a calm shoreline (so you don’t need to worry about the waves!)
17. Hand Blocking the Sun + Legs Crossed
Another way to make your arms not look awkward in beach photos is to use them to give you some shade. Follow Chie Filomeno’s lead and walk towards the camera with one leg forward while you’re at it. This will make you look taller even without editing.
18. Lay Down + Hands Over Chest
Make sure to suck your tummy in and push your butt out for this pose! It’s a great way to look sexy and risqué but not vulgar. It definitely works best if you’re wearing a high-cut bikini, too!
19. Back Turned + Heat Towards the Camera
If you’re shy to show your butt or cleavage, this pose is a cool way to show skin without revealing too much. We recommend trying this if your swimsuit has cute back details.
20. The Hair Toss
Add some drama to your photo with this pose that’s equal parts cheesy but undeniably sexy at the same time.
21. Lay Down + Hand Over Head + Knee Twisted Over Your Leg
Notice how this pose makes Kelsey Merritt’s waist look even smaller! Again, high angles are always flattering since it creates an imaginary “V” shape from the top of the photo going down. Taking photos this way means anything father away from the lens can look smaller. Do this if you’d like to hide your hips or tummy in the pic.
22. Arms Outstretched + Tiptoe
Tiptoeing is every girl’s secret weapon when taking photos. At the beach, it looks less awkward since you’re not in heels or sneakers. You can’t go wrong with this pose, as seen on Chie, since it stretches your body so you appear slimmer. Plus, you can always inhale for maximum effect.
23. Kneel Sitting on Your Feet + Back Arched
This one’s for the shy girl who still wants to show off her curves. This pose actually looks good from the front, too! But if you’re bikini is more interesting from the back like Sarah, be sure to show that off in the photo.
24. Lay Down on Your Tummy + Butt Popped + Head Down
Show off those tan lines in a pose that celebrates your figure. This also gives off a more effortless and lazy vibe if you want a photo that looks more chill.
25. Lean Back Sitting + Stomach In + Legs Outstretched with One Knee Up
Flex those core and leg muscles with this model-approved pose! If you want to flaunt the toned body you worked hard for, this really shows off your figure and golden tan effectively.
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