Everyone’s concept of the perfect bathing suit is different. For some, it’s all about the fit and comfort of the fabric and straps. For others, it’s the fun, bright colors and fashion-forward details. But regardless of what you prioritize most or whether you prefer one-piece tanks or two-piece bikinis, the ideal bathing suit is the one that makes you feel great and good in your body.
And while it can be easy to be overwhelmed with all the options out there, the best swimsuit brands on the market today make it easy to narrow in on styles that meet your needs—be they bigger bust support, a long-torso fit, or statement-making designs and patterns—at virtually every price point.
Now that warmer weather is here and travel is taking off again, you’ll likely need a new swimsuit (or two) in the very near future. Ahead, you’ll find the best swimsuit brands that consistently get top marks in performance and style. They’re all making some of the most comfortable, chic and versatile styles out there, from itty-bitty bikinis and off-the-shoulder one-pieces to rash guards and swim cover-ups.
Best Swimsuit Brands For Body Shaping
Summersalt: Flattering Fits
Summersalt’s extensive range of swimsuits includes one-pieces, bikinis and tankinis in sizes zero to 24 with smart details that offer support and flatter your body. Look for suits with compression, diagonal seaming, adjustable straps and built-in cups, all cut from eco-friendly materials, including recycled polyamide.
Andie: Versatile Sizes
Direct-to-consumer swim brand Andie puts a huge focus on fit, conducting wear tests with thousands of women and offering a 12 question fit quiz to help you find your ideal size. From there, you can filter one- and two-piece suits with specific criteria, such as high bust support or long torso silhouettes, and sizes extend from XS to 3X.
Norma Kamali: Curve-Enhancing Silhouettes
A champion of the female form, New York-based designer Norma Kamali has been crafting beautifully-designed beachwear since 1974. Known for body-conscious silhouettes, bold fabrics and cutout details, her bikinis and one-pieces enhance your curves and are versatile enough to be worn beyond the beach, too.
Best Swimsuit Brands For Mix And Match Pieces
Everlane: Well Constructed Basics
Pair any of the bikini tops (square neck, string tie or triangle) with bottoms (high-rise hipster, string or classic briefs) for a look that’s sleek and comfortable. The triangle bikini tops, for example, feature removable pads and an adjustable tie-back closure, and the briefs provide adequate butt coverage. All the swimsuits are made from 82% regenerated nylon and have quick-dry, fade-resistant properties.
Carve: Wide Variety Of Styles And Fits
Carve swimsuits are sustainably made out of recycled plastic bottles and coconut husks, which creates a fast-drying material. The modern range is made for real bodies with a variety of fits—there are 17 different styles of tops and 12 styles of bottoms you can choose from—and many have reversible prints as an added bonus.
J.Crew: Classics That Never Fail
J.Crew helped invent the concept of mix-and-match swimwear decades ago, and brand still excels at it. Tops and bottoms come in a variety of basic-but-chic silhouettes, from bandeaus to high-cut briefs, and sizes tend to be very inclusive, ranging from XXS to 3X. For those who prefer extra sun protection, the rash guards are stylish, made to last and won’t fade in the sun or fall apart in the wash after a few cycles.
Athleta: Ultra-Comfortable Fits
Activewear giant Athleta makes great swimwear to be active in or just relax in. The brand offers super comfortable bikinis in an assortment of designs that you can mix and match, along with one-piece suits and rash guards. The durable fabrics and supportive silhouettes accommodate a broad range of cup and bottom sizes, too.
The Best Affordable Swimsuit Brands
Aerie: Fun Prints And On-Trend Styles
With a wide, varied selection including everything from solid-colored, one-piece staples to punchy patterns, and fresh takes on classics thanks to ruffles, color-blocking, cut-outs and one-shoulder styles, Aerie has something for everyone. Regardless of what you choose, a tank or bikini set won’t set you back more than $60, with most of the selection largely available around the $30 mark.
Mango: Sophisticated Without The Markup
Similar to the clothing and accessories, Mango’s swimsuits offer a lot of quality for the price. The line features beautifully-cut one-pieces and bikinis with thoughtful details, such as scalloped-trim edges, cut-outs and asymmetrical designs, all between $30 to $80—and keep an out for regular sales, too.
Best Size-Inclusive Swimsuit Brands
Swimsuits For All: Supportive And Flattering
With options in sizes four through 40 and a thorough fit guide, Swimsuits For All makes it easy to shop by shape (like hourglass or pear), solutions (bust support), silhouette and more. Fashion-minded collaborations with influencers like Ashley Graham and Gabi Fresh bring more trend-driven pieces to the plus-size swim space, which are not always represented on e-commerce sites.
Kona Sol: Affordable And Chic
Target’s in-house swim brand has a huge selection of staple and stand-out options in every style imaginable — from solid string bikinis and lace swim shorts to patterned one-pieces and embroidered cover-ups — all for under $40. The collection emphasizes size inclusivity, with many styles available in XS through 26W.
The Best Swimsuit Brands For Stylish Prints
Frankies Bikinis: Gorgeous Patterns
While it offers excellent one-piece suits and cover-ups, Frankies Bikinis is a go-to for trend-forward two-pieces. A favorite of influencers such as Candice Swanepoel, Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, the brand’s colorful, bold styles come in an array of prints and patterns. You’ll find options with different coverage levels (full to skimpy), sizes (XS-XXL), fabrics (solid, print, rib) and design preferences (bandeau, triangle, bralette, halter, one shoulder, D+ cup).
Zimmermann: Designer Favorite
Australian brand Zimmermann is known for their luxe bohemian beachwear, which often features gorgeous prints and patterns, inspired by sun-soaked locales and dreamy palettes. Look for everything from batik to botanical designs on well-crafted one- and two-pieces that look chic in the water and poolside.
Solid And Striped: Elevated Basics
Solid And Striped translates fashion’s best swim trends into a variety of fun and playful styles, fits, fabrics and patterns. From high-waisted bottoms complete with a built-in belt to velvet string bikinis, this label is anything but basic beachwear.
L*Space: Fashion-Forward Options
Best Swimsuit Brands For Sleek, Minimalist Looks
Lululemon: All-Day Comfort
Like its yoga pants, Lululemon’s swim pieces can withstand a serious workout yet also look great when worn more casually. The inclusive range of tops, bottoms, and one-pieces work well for a variety of body types, whether you’re tall or short, or have narrow or broad shoulders. Precision details—adjustable straps, removable cups, low-cut leg coverage—ensure a super comfy fit.
Eres: Timeless And Extremely Well Made
Known for its classic shapes, sophisticated colorways and high-tech materials, French label Eres is a favorite among stylish women. The pieces feature a variety of shapes and coverage levels and provide support where needed to enhance the female shape. The shades flatter dark to light skin tones as well.
Lisa Marie Fernandez: Statement Styles
Swimwear designer Lisa Marie Fernandez is an expert at bold silhouettes, especially surf-inspired maillots and high-waist bikinis cut from elegant fabrics, such as crepe, seersucker and cotton terry. Intended to be worn in any setting, each piece is versatile enough to translate easily from the beach to cocktails.
What To Consider When Shopping
How do I choose a swimsuit online?
If given the choice between trying on swimwear in a store or at home, most people would choose the latter. It’s a more relaxing experience when you don’t have to deal with a cramped dressing room, unnatural lighting and mirrors that skew your appearance. The other benefit: You’ll have more choices. A store can only carry so much inventory but shopping online means a wider selection of styles, sizes, colors and price points. The challenge, of course, is that you can’t try on anything before buying.
Most brands and retailers offer size charts—if they don’t, you’ll want to seriously consider how much you love the suit. Unless the brand has a simple return process (for example, free returns with shipping labels included and convenient drop-off points) or an extensive database of reviews for you to read, it’s hard to accurately guess your size.
Ideally, you’ll have three points of reference to work from: the bust, the waist and the hips (taken at the widest part of your rear.) For the most accurate fit, take your measurements with the tape resting comfortably against your skin—you want to be able to breathe normally in your bathing suit, after all.
Do you size up or down for swimsuits?
In general, swim fabrics stretch a bit when wet so if you’re in between sizes, it can be wise to size down or stay true to your size. That’s if you plan on actually swimming and getting wet in your suit, which is not always the case (lounging by the pool or wearing your bathing suit as part of your outfit are occasions you might not take the plunge). In this situation, sizing up can help you feel more comfortable in fitted silhouettes since the natural stretching process won’t happen in the water. But this largely comes down to your preferences, and if you plan to be both wet and dry, stick to your usual size.
