The sheer excitement of switching on Outlook’s Automatic Replies can be quickly eclipsed by the packing panic that closely follows.
While we relish swapping office views for marine landscapes, it requires more curation than grabbing the drab 9 to 5 wear in our rotation. When you have an itinerary that will make Barbie’s Ken green with envy, you need an arsenal of bikinis and one-pieces that will make you feel supported, comfortable and confident when you’re beach bathing – but these styles are not always easy to find.
Swimwear is one of the most challenging categories to shop for, made all the more difficult when your proportions fall out of the typical norms of the fashion industry. For those with bigger busts, we need scaffolding and tactically placed underwiring to prevent accidental flashing or uncomfortable overspill. It’s not simply a case of throwing any old items into your suitcase.
Over the years as bikinis have got more itsy bitsy than ever, it feels as if the market has even fewer options when your bra size is DD and over. The offering feels dominated by overly sculptural designs that may be supportive but are, on the whole, unattractive. Well, we refuse to accept that.
You need not shy away from triangle tops, as long as they have sufficient coverage on the cup, but look out for fastenings that more closely resemble that of a bra if you prefer activities rather than horizontal sun-worshipping. If tan lines are a concern, there are bandeau silhouettes with hidden underwiring, but you may find extra support with the likes of halternecks instead. Swimsuits remain as desirable as ever with designs to enhance your assets rather than cover them up.
Shop the best swimwear for big busts to wear this summer below
Hunza G Nadine seersucker bikini
The almost magical seersucker fabric that runs throughout Hunza G’s coveted collection has a stretchy one-size-fits-all design that makes it adaptable, and somehow flattering, to all shapes and sizes. Alongside the array of one-pieces are bikinis too in every block colour under the sun.
Buy now £175.00, Net-A-Porter
Good American Always Fits Denim Bikini Top
The Khloe Kardashian-founded label was created to bring size inclusivity to areas of fashion where it is still severely lacking, namely denim and swimwear. The stretchy and compressive fabric that is used to create this bikini has support and style in equal measure. This is enhanced by the adjustable shoulder straps and underwiring. It comes in six vibrant colourways and up to 5XL.
Buy now £62.00, Good American
4th & Reckless Antibes rosette-embellished bikini top
Giving the classic triangle bikini a chic and on-trend upgrade is 4th & Reckless. The traditionally constructed two-piece is offered in this season’s most sought-after chocolate shade and embellished with tactically placed rosettes. Available up to UK16.
Buy now £28.00, Selfridges
Heidi Klein Forio Scallop Bikini Top
The Heidi Klein range goes up to XXXL where attention is paid to ensuring the designs are as flattering as possible. The Forio is made from a power mesh and underwiring for subtle support. From the textured finish to the scalloped trim, this halterneck two-piece deserves its place in your swimwear rotation. Bonus points for the cornflower blue hue.
Buy now £160.00, Harrods
Away That Day Cannes One Piece - Ivory Monochrome
With attention paid to the finest details, Away That Day is reissuing a classic 90s design with the Cannes One Piece. The timeless swimsuit has a balconette construction to support fuller busts as well as adjustable straps. The two-tone colourway keeps it classic, while the high-cut leg has a Baywatch feel. Available up to 3XL.
Buy now £215.00, Away That Day
Pour Moi Santa Cruz Underwired Non Padded Adjustable Bikini Top
A pretty floral print is not just a staple in the spring season, it makes for a fun, feminine and playful design for swimwear that you’ll get excited to dust off at the advent of the warm weather. The Santa Cruz style takes its colourway from the ocean, but gets added style points with the floral and dot pattern. In sizes 32C to 38G.
Buy now £34.00, Pour Moi
Pananche Swim Serena Square Neck Swimsuit
This figure-flattering style comes from Panache and the brand keeps things clean, classic and minimal with its design. In an enduring navy hue, the swimsuit has the simple addition of a belt that works its magic for cinching the waist. It’s non padded but there is underwiring to keep fuller busts secure and supported. Comes in 30D-38H.
Buy now £80.00, John Lewis
Form and Fold The Line D+ Cup Underwire Bikini Top
With a disco feel in bikini form, this matching set is ready for Ibiza or Vegas. The pool party piece constructs the plunge silhouette with a glitter material that will enhance your sun-soaking attire tenfold. It comes from Form and Fold, a Melbourne-born label that was created especially for bigger busts sized D and over where the pieces are constructed with a specialised seaming and underwire to provide a lift while still remaining comfortable for all-day wear.
Buy now £115.00, Harrods
Boden Panel Underwire Bikini Top
Boden is an underrated label for big busts, especially when it comes to its swimwear. A timeless stripe defines this bikini that comes complete with a balconette neckline. It has removable straps should you wish to counteract obvious tan lines where the risk of flashing is minimised by silicone tape.
Buy now £45.00, Boden
SKIMS Signature Swim plunge stretch recycled-nylon bikini top
This is a new season addition to the SKIMS swimwear range. Kim Kardashian’s label has a knack for creating undergarments and basics that look minuscule out of the packaging but fit like a glove once you try them on. The two-piece leans into this with a butter-soft skin feel and adaptable design to sculpt, support and flatter. The bikini comes in four shades from the neutral white hue to an eye-popping pink.
Buy now £42.00, Selfridges
Pour Moi Underwired Bow Front Tummy Control Swimsuit
In a vibrant red hue, Pour Moi creates a workhorse in your swimwear rotation. The piece comes in sizes 32B to 38G, in which each is complete with non-padded cups, disguised underwire and a tummy control panel so you will feel confident and sexy when you slip it on. The pièce de résistance is the front-tie bow detail.
Buy now £48.00, Pour Moi
Triumph Minimizer bikini top
Triumph is a brand oft favoured by fuller busts for their well-fitting lingerie so it is no surprise that it may just infiltrate your swimwear collection too. The Minimizer top closely resembles one of the most popular silhouettes in its bra range but, of course, gives it a waterproof twist while still maintaining the famed level of high coverage.
Buy now £40.00, Triumph
Eres Square-Neck Aquarelle Swimsuit
Feel confident and sexy in Eres, a brand favoured by Bond girls. This one-piece comes in an array of pared-back colourways with the purple hue pictured as one of the punchier shades. It is offered up to France’s 48 which is equivalent to a size 20 in the UK. The silhouette is elegant and stripped back, prioritising simple skinny straps and a square neck in the design department.
Buy now £340.00, Harrods
Panache Spirit Lauren Wired Scallop Plunge Bikini Top
Never underestimate the power of a scallop trim. The experts at Panache know all too well how the edging makes for an ultra-flattering detail. It also gives intrigue to an otherwise minimal design as shown here by this Spirit Lauren bikini. Chic.
Available from 30F-38J.
Buy now, M&S
