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Fashion
By Kiana Murden and Jillian Tracy, CNN Underscored
8:36 AM EDT, Wed July 5, 2023
What's in this guide
- Bikinis and two-piece swimsuits
- One-piece swimsuits
Grab your beach towel, sunscreen and cover-up, because it’s time to hit the beach, pool or vacation town in a swimsuit you can feel actually excited about putting on. We spoke to influencers and fashion experts about what they look for when shopping for swimsuits for women, and how to best feel comfortable after almost a year of not wearing one.
Model and influencerGessiqua Pughsaid it best when she told us to “wear what you feel comfortable in and accentuate a part of your body that you like most.” Once you get your new suit, she advises you to practice wearing it around the house to “get comfortable with how the swimsuit looks on you and how it moves around your body so that you don’t have to worry about any wardrobe malfunctions.”
- Related: 26 cheap Amazon swimsuits we tried (and actually loved)
Celebrity stylistErin Noëlis particularly excited about high-cut swim options for women these days. “The cut at the waist elongates the leg but still provides coverage over the tummy if needed,” she shares. She’s also seeing sculpted underwire in bikini tops and plenty of cutouts. Otherwise, she shares that “colors will range from pastels to animal prints,” and her favorite trend for summer, retro prints.
Overall, celebrity stylistKelvin “K.J.” Moodydoesn’t think a bad swimsuit is possible. “Swimwear is like underwear — it hinges on how you feel about yourself (and your aesthetic) in that moment,” he says. “If you love what you are wearing, you are good to go!”
With this guidance in mind, we’ve rounded up some stylist-approved and top-rated swimsuits for women of all body types.
Bikinis and two-piece swimsuits
If a tankini is more your vibe, check out this scoop-neck option by none other than Old Navy. It features a high-scoop neck and an adjustable tie back for comfort, support and style.
Editor Favorite
Abercrombie & Fitch is quietly becoming one of the best places for people with larger busts to get bikinis. One editor, who is a 32H, ordered this Curve Love top in a medium and it fit better than any other bikini top she's ever tried. The matching high-waisted bottoms are perfection too.
Editor Favorite
One of our favorite lingerie brands,Cuup, has a swimwear lineand we couldn’t be more excited. Like the bras and undies we’ve come to love, the bikini line beautifully combines comfort, support and style no matter which fit you choose. This balconette style is definitely one of our faves from the collection, and is made to fit sizes 30A to 44E. Complete the look with The Tap high-waist bottoms.
Editor Favorite
A bikini for under $30? Sounds too good to be true, but one of our staffers tried this suit and was seriously impressed. “I can confirm it’s worth the hype and more,” she says. “It indeed fits true to size and the high-waisted bottoms really suck everything in and offer so much coverage. The top comes with padding, adjustable straps AND ties that you can maneuver to make the top a little extra cheeky, if that’s your vibe. And if you haven’t already added this suit to your cart, it comes in more than 20 different colorways and patterns too.”
If you need full-coverage sun protection or simply prefer not to show much skin while you lounge out, opt for this swim tunic, which you can also grab the matching hijab for.
One of our favorite — and comfiest —silhouettes in Cuup’s bra line, the Scoop swim top is available in all sorts of pretty colors, but best of all, it’s created to fit a wide range of bust sizes, from 30A to 44E.
If you like the extra support provided by underwire bikinis, this tie-back coffee-colored bikini top from Berlook is a ultra-chic choice for the beach or pool. Though the top has a push-up effect, the cup padding is also removable if you find it to be too much.
Those of us who are a bit more busty deserve a plethora of swim top options too. We have our eyes on Lively’s Busty Bralette that’s made from 80% recycled nylon for sizes D through DDD. Pair it with the brand’s High Waist bottoms that are available in sizes up to 2X. Check out the printed version here too.
Summersalt has quickly risen to the top of our swim favorites, because the quality is out of this world. If your goals include toeing the line between sexy and sophisticated, you seriously can’t go wrong with the brand’s Plunge Bikini Top. Pair it with the High-Leg Mid-Rise Bikini Bottom that’s available up to size 22.
Available in six color options, this longline bikini is the ideal blend between comfort and coverage. Plus, the added texture and subtle shimmer help to add a little extra glam to the look.
Editor Favorite
Another Underscored editor favorite, this suit has been a lifesaver for one of our staffers. “Finding a bikini that properly fits my larger chest is one of my life’s biggest struggles,” she says. “Because of the billowing fabric, the top miraculously covered and fit everything. I got a medium in both the top and bottom and I never once worried about popping out.”
Give yourself a one-shoulder moment with this Halo Bikini Top by Jade Swim. How cute is this top paired with the matching Most Wanted Bikini Bottom?
We can’t think of a sweeter bikini than this one. The square-neck top is available in sizes XXS to XXL and it’s got hundreds of 5-star reviews.
Elegant and delicate, this patterned bikini is sure to never go out of style. It features a high-cut leg that flatters and provides shape, and you can grab a matching top in a triangle or scoop-neck cut (or both if you'd like).
We could all use a leopard print bathing suit to make us feel extra fierce on a day by the water. “They have some support in the tummy area, but they don’t show too much of the goods when pulled up,” writes one reviewer who loves these Good American bottoms. Check out the matching Ruched Bikini Top that’s available in sizes up to 5X, and also reversible.
If you prefer a sportier look that might provide support similar to a sports bra, look no further than this number by Left On Friday. Reviewers rave that it’s great for larger-chested women and is “super supportive.” Pair it with the brand’s Hi Hi Bottom.
Another trend we’ve been seeing all over our social feeds is the wrap bikini top, as seen on this number. But if you don’t want to wear it wrap-style, just tie it in the back as normal. Add the matching Praia Bottom to cart, too.
Aerie is one of our go-tos for the optimal combination of comfort and style for swim. For example, these high-cut bikini bottoms feature a crossover waistband that’ll suit any body type. We can totally see this paired with the brand’s Ribbed Banded Wide-Strap Scoop Bikini Top.
If bikini-cut bottoms just never give you the coverage you want, try a pair of short-cut bottoms instead. These vibrant orange bottoms are full-coverage bottoms, but still remain slim and flattering so as to not add any excess bulk to your swim look. You can also pair them with Berlook's matching orange U-Neck Top.
InfluencerGabi Freshpartnered with Swimsuits For Allto create a swimwear collection with curvy girls in mind inspired by her love of the 1970s. The collection, another favorite of Pugh’s, is the perfect combination of minimalism and maximalism, like this top that includes an underwire and side boning for extra support.
One-piece swimsuits
“I love this suit because it is flattering on most body types and especially great if you have a long torso,” says Moody. “Choose your favorite swimsuit shade and pair it with bold sunglasses, a sun hat, a large beach tote, cover-up, sunscreen, waterproof makeup, beach sandals and amaze all the guests at the pool!”
Modern, simple, chic and available in sizes XS to 4X, this one was practically made for a family vacation.
This “accentuates your curves like nobody’s business,” says one reviewer who loves this wrap one-piece by Aerie. Another shares the same excitement after purchasing it to support their postpartum bod.
Andie Swim designed this to make you feel like a million bucks. Featuring full-coverage bottoms and light chest support, this suit, available up to size 3X, is sure to help you feel confident as you lounge in your chaise.
We adore the deep-but-not-too-deep V-neck on this one-piece, and how easily it can transform into a chic bodysuit with just a pair of trousers.
If a major “Baywatch” moment is on your agenda this summer, look no further than Andie Swim’s The Tulum. It’s everything sporty and chic, featuring a sporty crisscross back, supportive fabric and removable cups that’ll hold you in all the right places.
This classic-cut swimsuit is made with recycled fabric and a back tie that you can adjust to find your perfect fit.
We’re obsessed with the ruffles cascading from the neck and shoulders down the back on this one-piece by Eberjey. Even better, reviewers share that this is a slimming suit, if that’s what you’re looking for in your next swim purchase.
Nomads Swimwear is another top pick by Pugh, and it’s easy to see why: The brand’s Wave One-Piece is love at first sight. Available in sizes up to 5X, this colorblocked number is made of a super-soft, sheerproof double-lined fabric that’ll accentuate each and every curve.
Sport a fun and flirty look with this flutter-sleeve one-piece from Albion. With a removable waist tie, front and back V-cuts and an eye-catching pattern, this suit is sure to earn you tons of compliments. And the added 45 UPF will help you prevent unwanted sunburns too.
Belted swimwear? Sign us up! It was that accessory that drew us in, but we stayed for the high-stretch fabric, padded support and flattering straps of this one-piece swimsuit.
The patterned taupe wrap-belt detail against the black swimsuit body is a cool take on a more traditional one-piece. Beach Riot has really outdone itself with this one.
This seriously might be the most stunning one-piece we’ve ever seen. Available in ivory and black, this suit has a supportive under-bust band, wide straps and plunge front, which is both sophisticated and sexy.
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Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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