Andie Swim, Boden, Adore Me, Left on Friday

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Andie Swim, Boden, Adore Me, Left on Friday

Esme Benjamin is a freelance writer, based in Brooklyn, who covers beauty, wellness, travel, and style. She shops for a new swimsuit each year and relies on lists like this one – driven by genuine tester insights – to help point her in the right direction.

Shopping for swimwear can feel like an impossible task. First, you have to find a style you feel confident and comfortable in (gulp). Then you cross your fingers and toes that it also performs well, in and out of the water, and that it doesn’t fall apart the first time you wash it. 

To save you the headache, we tested dozens of bikinis and one-pieces — including high-rise bottoms, halter tops, sporty one-pieces, and classic triangle bikinis — from popular brands like Monday Swimwear, Adore Me, Andie Swim, Boden, and Left on Friday.

After putting each swimsuit through its strokes — including all manner of water-based activities — our testers evaluated each one for fit, comfort, quality, performance, coverage, and value. Their honest insights and feedback allowed us to create this definitive list of the best swimsuits for women. So, whether you’re lounging poolside, hitting the surf, or chasing after little ones on the beach, these 16 standout swimwear styles will keep you afloat.

What to Know About Swimsuits, According to a Fashion Stylist

Heather Jude is an award-winning fashion stylist and creative director whose work has been featured in editorial and commercial spreads throughout Canada, where she’s based. She shared some tips for investing in swimwear, from practical considerations to aesthetic ones. 

  • Look for durable fabric: Your swimsuit should feel supportive and be able to withstand everything from chlorine water to UV rays without losing its shape. Jude recommends swimsuits made from polyester, which is durable and resistant to stretching or shrinking. 
  • Keep your activity level in mind: Rather than selecting a swimsuit based solely on style, consider where you’ll be wearing it, or rather, what you’ll be doing. Planning on surfing? You’ll want a supportive swimsuit with more coverage than if you were attending a pool party. “Your swimsuit should feel like a second skin and move with you,” says Jude. “It should make you feel supported and excited to wear it.”
  • Choose for your shape: Your ideal swimsuit will also be informed by your body shape, explains Jude. For example, those with a bigger bust might find a supportive, bra-like bikini top with underwire more comfortable, while smaller-chested people might prefer a padding-free top. Pick a style you’ll feel confident and comfortable in.

Best One-Piece Swimsuits

Hilor Twist-Front Swimsuit With Tummy Control

Amazon


Sizes: 6–18 | Colors: 11

This swimsuit turned our bikini-loving tester into a one-piece convert. With its twisted sweetheart neckline, ruched tummy-control panel, and full-coverage rear, the swimsuit boosted her confidence every time she wore it. While the style is perfect for lounging poolside, our tester noted that it held up well in the water, too. “I know I can be active, swimming and surfing, without worrying about the straps and fit coming loose,” she said. Though she didn’t love the padded cups, which absorbed water and weren’t ideal for a smaller chest, she was impressed with the overall design.

Panache Anya Riva Underwire One-Piece

Amazon


Sizes: Bands 30–40, Cups D–K | Colors: 2

If you’re looking for a comfortable swimsuit that supports your curves, this is the one for you. Designed for those with larger bust sizes, it boasts underwired balconette cups in sizes 30D to 40F, and adjustable straps for a secure fit. Our tester loved the thickness and softness of the fabric, which felt supportive but never constricting. The suit didn’t retain water after swimming and dried super fast – moments after getting out of the ocean, she could hardly tell it was wet. 

Our tester appreciated the swimsuit’s style details (gold hardware on the straps and light ruching at the waist): “It has the look of a ballet leotard, in a good way,” she explained. However, she lamented a lack of petite sizing options for her 5’2” frame.

Andie, The Amalfi One Piece

People


Sizes: XS–3X | Fit: Classic or Long Torso | Coverage: Medium, Full, or Cheeky | Colors: 11

The first thing you notice about The Amalfi, a simple-yet-chic swimsuit from Andie, is its delicate spaghetti straps. They look cute and are adjustable (always a plus), but you’d be forgiven for questioning how well they stay put. Rest assured, one of our testers wore this swimsuit to a waterpark and vouched for its surprising security. Wet or dry, stationary or in motion, it remained in place all day. As one tester put it: “The straps didn’t dig, and the undies didn’t crawl.”

On top of being comfortable, secure, and quick-drying, this one-piece gets bonus points for additional style options, including three coverage cuts for the bottom half: medium, full, or cheeky.

Robin Piccone Ava Scoop-Neck One-Piece Swimsuit

People


Sizes: 2–14 | Colors: 4

According to our tester, this Robin Piccone one-piece is the gold standard of swimsuits. It fit like a glove, felt buttery soft against her skin, and offered the perfect balance of style and support. The fabric, which she compared to a luxe wetsuit, never got weighed down by water and dried quickly. Meanwhile, the ample cup coverage, adjustable straps, and full-coverage rear gave her confidence and comfort on the beach. “It’s cute,” she said, “but makes you feel comfortable in front of your family.” 

If you’re prepared to splurge on a high-quality swimsuit, our tester maintains this one is “100 percent worth the price.”

Best Bikini Swimsuits

Soly Hux Triangle Bikini & Cover-Up Set

Amazon


Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 3

This three-piece set is a one-and-done vacation look. Our tester loved the “fun and Instagrammable” prints, which she deemed perfect for a pool party, and noted that the style of this bikini is on-trend (think a triangle top and thong bottom). But while the set is ideal for lounging in the sun, the fabric is a little thin for swimming laps. Our tester found herself readjusting the bikini frequently and noted the sarong was a tad small for a true cover-up. 

TL;DR: If you’re headed to a summer event like a bachelorette party or festival, you’ll be glad you packed this convenient and cute set. However, if you’re participating in water-based activities, you might want something more robust.

Tempt Me Retro Bikini With Halter Top & High-Waisted Bottom

People


Sizes: XXS–XXL, 18 Plus–22 Plus | Colors: 41

With its halterneck top and high-waisted bottoms, this bikini has “vintage vibes without being kitschy,” according to our tester. She liked the flattering design, including structured push-up cups and a ruched tummy panel. The adjustable top, which has a clasp and a tie-back, is also a nice touch, ensuring a near-perfect fit. The bikini bottoms, on the other hand, were a little too compressing and became uncomfortable after a while, so we recommend sizing up. 

The fabric felt surprisingly thick and robust for the price, and withstood a strong wringing without signs of wear and tear. Overall, it offers great value, though one of our testers warned that the top might not be ideal for those with smaller busts, who could benefit from less padding.

Daci Bikini With Long Sleeve Rash Guard & Boyshort Bottom

People


Sizes: XS–XXL, 18 Plus–24 Plus | Colors: 33

While it won’t be the most head-turning swimsuit on the beach, there are plenty of reasons to love this rash guard and boyshort combo. Our testers appreciated the fabric, which was thick, soft, and durable. The full-coverage style lends itself to watersports and swimming, or, as one tester noted, “the first day at the beach, when it’s impossible not to get burned” (the fabric provides built-in sun protection). Does it have a super flattering fit? No (although it comes in some jazzy colors and prints), but this swimsuit could work perfectly on days when you want to be active and carefree.

Adore Me Bobbie Lined

Adore Me


Sizes: XS–XL, Bands 30–38, Cups A–DDD | Shape: bikini or high-wasted | Colors: 2

Swimsuit sizing can be a nightmare to navigate; not so with this bikini from Adore Me. The brand uses bra sizing for its halterneck top, guaranteeing a great fit, and you can select the size and cut of the bikini bottoms. Our tester was positively effusive about this swimsuit, calling it the most comfortable two-piece she’s ever owned, with good quality fabric and a flattering cut. The top is just the right level of supportive, and the high-waisted bottoms are well-tailored and feminine. They “hit in the right spot without making me feel frumpy,” she noted, before adding that she’s so sold on this swimsuit, she bought a second one with her own money.

Best Bikini Tops

Wild Fable Women’s Triangle Bikini Top

People


Sizes: XXS–XL | Colors: 4

Don’t be clouded by the low price — this bikini top absolutely delivers on quality, according to our tester. The stylish string ties aren’t just for looks; they offer a customizable fit that adapts easily to your body. She found the top simple to adjust, and she noted that it stayed securely in place whether she was wading through waves or snorkeling. The fabric felt strong, durable, and dried quickly in the sun. Her only gripe? The tie strings are a little thick and bulky when worn under shorts or a cover-up, but it’s a small price to pay for an otherwise great bikini top.

Robin Piccone Ava T-Shirt Top

People


Sizes: XS–L | Colors: 6

The Ava T-Shirt Top is a unique option for those who prefer more coverage. The stylish cut-out top has hidden support and hits at the narrowest part of the waist for a flattering fit. Although our tester would never normally opt for this type of design, she fell in love with its sporty, relaxed style, which was incredibly comfortable to wear. She never had to readjust the top on her body — even when wet, it stayed in place and never became cumbersome. “I felt comfortable in this [top], and it really exceeded my expectations,” she added.

Boden Ithaca Halter Bikini Top

People


Sizes: 2–16/18 | Colors: 7

Our tester says she felt like a million bucks in this swimsuit. She carefully followed the fit instructions and was amazed by how comfortable and secure the bikini was. The fabric was strong and flexible yet snug, and she appreciated the cut, which “covered each area of my body in the exact way that I’m looking for.” It was really flattering for such a practical bikini, even giving her a little cleavage, yet it never shifted, no matter what the day’s activities entailed. “I felt that I could race after my kids, bend over to pick up toys, swim, walk –– do anything in this,” she said. 

Left On Friday Sunday Top

People


Sizes: XS–XXL | Colors: 34

The Sunday Top is Left On Friday’s best-selling bikini top, and we totally get why. The design is simple and flattering, with lined cups that offer light compression for a secure fit. The style skews sporty, and our tester says it worked great for any water activities she tried, while being attractive enough for laying out in the sun. It gets bonus points for offering 34 gorgeous color options that don’t fade in UV light or chlorinated water, but keep in mind that both of our testers felt they should have sized up for a more comfortable fit.

Best Bikini Bottoms

Boden Ithaca Panel Bikini Bottoms

People


Sizes: 2–16/18 | Colors: 7

Debating which style of bikini bottoms to buy? In our humble opinion, this pair, which our tester dubbed “borderline sporty while still being sexy and fashionable,” is a standout choice. Featuring the Goldilocks of rises (not too high, not too low) and a decent amount of coverage for the butt and hips, the bottoms hug the body securely without digging in. Our tester loved the silky-soft fabric and praised the luxe feel and chic design of this pick.

Robin Piccone Ava High-Rise Bikini Bottom

People


Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 7

If you’re a fan of a high-rise bikini bottom, this option from Robin Piccone is worth considering. Made from the smooth, durable, quick-drying fabric the brand is known for, it has a waistband that sits just beneath the belly button (so not super high), hugging and shaping the midsection. Our tester was amazed by how well the bottoms fit her. Both the fabric and style were supportive and held her in without being constricting. If you’re looking for a bikini that suits your active lifestyle, this one delivers. “As a total beginner surfer who wipes out every five seconds, I feel confident in saying the support is really great,” our tester enthused.

Left On Friday Hi Hi Bottom

People


Sizes: XS–XXL | Colors: 34

As you may have guessed from the name, these bikini bottoms sit high – above-the-belly-button high – but they’re not the least bit frumpy. “The bottoms are medium coverage, and they show a good amount of hip so I was happy with the high-cut style,” said our tester, who felt comfortable wearing these bottoms on a family trip. She praised the premium fabric, which washed well and dried in a flash. Another plus is that this versatile design is ideal for beachy activities like snorkeling and kayaking as well as relaxing shoreside with a cold drink in hand, she added.

Monday Swimwear Argentina Bottom

Monday Swimwear


Sizes: S, M, L, Petite and Voluptuous sizing options | Colors: 4

Monday Swimwear’s Argentina Bottom combines a high waist and high-cut hip to create a legs-for-days illusion. “I love how the bottoms are just slightly high-waisted,” our tester said. “They didn’t dig into my stomach or hips with the high-hip shape, too.” The design’s coverage at the back is cheeky without revealing too much, making this an appropriate choice for family time. And in addition to being undeniably stylish, these bottoms are also well made. Our tester remarked that the stitching looks strong and the fabric was supportive both in and out of the water.

More Swimsuits We Liked

With so many well-designed swimsuit options to choose from, narrowing down the contenders to make our final list was quite the feat. With that in mind, we wanted to shout out these options, too. The following six swimsuits impressed our testers with their performance and style, earning them an honorable mention.

How We Tested

To create the list of the best swimsuits for women, we asked our team of testers to try them IRL, putting them through their paces at the beach, the pool, and beyond. Over a period of four weeks, our testers evaluated each swimsuit on fit, comfort, quality, performance, coverage, and value. Our team then analyzed the insights and whittled down the winners, naming these 16 styles the absolute best swimsuits for women.

Goes Well With

Now that you have your swimsuit sorted, it’s time to tackle the rest of the summer to-buy list. Ahead, we’ve curated a selection of warm-weather essentials to ensure your plans go off without a hitch. From pool party items to vacation accessories, stock up now, and you’ll be ready to enjoy the season.


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