Swimwear That Gets You. Stylish and Comfortable for Indian Body Types

Imagine that one girl’s trip to the Maldives or Bali has finally jumped out of the Whatsapp group. Websites are being scoured for the cheapest, fastest flight connections, and your most-viewed tabs in history are the stunning water villas you’ve seen on Instagram. Now, imagine the stress of packing and shopping for the perfect beach and resort holiday!

Let me stop you right there! Why the stress, you ask? As a mid-sized, fuller-bust woman, I have always struggled with finding the right fit in swimwear. Let’s not even get into the insecurities the world throws at us as we grow older—whether it’s about our weight, stretch marks, skin tone, or simply the idea of not fitting into conventional beauty standards.

When the idea of creating swimwear came to me, it was very organic. Always a fashion lover, I grew up wanting to be in fluffy, shiny dresses with matching shoes and hair ribbons (Roop ki Rani vibes, anyone? No? Ok then). Don’t ask; we’ll dive into this later. When my amazing, strong, and beautiful grandmother passed away (we called her Baya—yes, another story for another day), my mum, an artist herself, suggested, “Shall we print her artwork on T-shirts?” It took me a few seconds to respond, “Mom, what about swimwear?” That’s all it took for my mother to dive into an imaginative khayali pulao of possibilities.

Having lived in Goa for a large part of my growing years, I was fortunate to be surrounded by women of all shapes and sizes—unafraid and unabashed on beaches, wearing what made them feel good in their skin. That’s the vibe I wanted to capture.

And that’s how Timala was born! Named after the woman herself (Baya’s name was Malati), this seed of an idea is now a full-fledged brand. With Timala, we wanted to give our fellow Indian women a home where they could pick colors, fits, and, most of all, comfort. It’s an understatement to say that the market creates the cutest swimwear for “acceptable sizes,” and even then, the quality and fit often fall short.

I started by selecting my favorite designs and art pieces from Baya and my mom. I found local designers to help digitize these art pieces and transform them into unique prints. Next, I researched and talked to hundreds of women—friends, colleagues, and strangers. Their wishlist? Better fit. Cuter colors. More variety. Better coverage. Higher adjustability. So, that’s exactly what I set out to create.

Did you know that garment returns account for 20% to 40% of sales, largely due to poor fit? A recent Indian anthropometric survey tackled this issue head-on. Using advanced 3D scanning technology, over 13,000 women aged 15 to 70 were surveyed across India’s six geographic regions. The data revealed that Indian women’s body shapes fall into four main categories:

Hourglass: Well-balanced proportions between the bust and hips, with a clearly defined waist.

Swimwear Tip: Opt for adjustable bikinis, high-waisted bottoms, or belted one-pieces to enhance your curves

Try our bikinis: Tribal Rani and Mohini

Rectangle: Bust, waist, and hips are roughly the same width, creating a straight silhouette.

Swimwear Tip: Add curves with ruffled tops, padded bikinis, or bold-patterned monokinis.

Try our monokini: Leher

Trapezoid: Shoulders and bust are wider than the hips, creating an inverted triangular shape.

Swimwear Tip: Balance your look with solid, darker tops and brightly patterned bottoms.

Mix and Match: Tribal Rani and Mohini

Bottom Hourglass: Similar to the hourglass but with hips slightly wider than the bust.

Swimwear Tip: High-cut bottoms and wrap-style one-pieces work wonders for this shape.

Try our stylish one pieces: Roop and Sampoorna

With this insight, we worked tirelessly to create swimwear that genuinely caters to Indian curves. Our collection features size inclusivity (XS to 3XL), adjustable straps, high-quality fabric with UV protection, 4-way stretch, and exclusive prints that celebrate our heritage. Every piece of Timala swimwear is designed with love, empathy, and an understanding of the diversity of Indian women.

So, the next time you’re planning a Bali or Maldives beach vacay, leave the stress behind. Timala has your back (and your bust, waist, and hips). After all, isn’t it time swimwear celebrated YOU?