Meet My Summer Swim Edit
Because *every* body is a beach body. Sets and one pieces for laps, lounging...and lots of compliments.
I take my swimsuits as seriously as my workouts. They need to perform—whether I’m bodyboarding in the ocean with my kids, hiking to a hidden hot spring, or chilling at a pool with a book. (That last one is rare, it must be said.)
Over the years, I’ve road-tested dozens—if not hundreds—of suits. I’ve trained for triathlons. Curated racks of stylish-yet-functional picks for live TODAY Show segments. And helped select swim looks for our cover shoots when I was EIC of Women’s Health.
Below, I organized my favorite suits by categories that reflect how I personally shop for swimwear. Whenever possible, I highlighted brands that offer inclusive sizing. Shoutout to Aerie, Athleta and Summersalt for their commitment to making all women feel as amazing as they are in swimwear. And my picks have been put through the paces in countless pool laps, photoshoots, and suitcase hauls. They’re editor-tested, athlete-approved, and mom-worn on repeat.
A heads up: Many are discounted right now because of post-Memorial Day/early summer sales. So maybe kick off your flip-flops and sprint for the deals.
Confidence Suits
Armor for a full range of figures/shapes/sizes in the best ways: no wardrobe malfunctions, pool-to-pickleball appropriate, made to move.
Quince Italian Cami One-Piece Yes, everyone’s favorite affordable cashmere brand, Quince, does swim. A simple, but super-well executed style, that looks great on all body types.
Summersalt The Marina This cutie goes viral every single summer, probably because the color-blocking is so dang flattering. Internal bust support and ample butt coverage make this a great option for active beach days. Here’s a Cupshe dupe.
Aerie Crossover High-Waisted Bikini Bottoms + Sungazer Top First of all, I love Aerie’s commitment to sizing from XXS to XXL, plus bra cup sizes from 30A to 38DD. The crossover waistband hugs your midsection with smoothing, comfy compression and the top won’t budge even on active days. On super-duper sale right now.
Bikinis You Can Actually Do Things In
Sets that stay put through beach walks, water sports, or wrangling kids.
Left On Friday Streamline Bottom + Sunday Top Founded by a former Lululemon designer and marketer, LOF suits always deliver a dreamy fit. The combo shown above (which I lived in while exploring Costa Rica) is butter soft, and never, ever pinches or tugs. Honestly, the hardest part is choosing the color because they’re all so vibrant and covetable.
J.Crew Perfect String Top + Hipster String Bottom New patterns and silhouettes seem to drop Shein-fast over at J.Crew, but there’s nothing cheap about the brand’s swimwear. I wore this set on my 43rd birthday…then posted a pic to IG. So, yeah, I think it’s gold.
Solid And Striped Elle Bikini Top + Elle Bottom After Boys And Arrows (RIP) went out of biz, I got really into S&S. Their stuff works great if you’ve got straight hips and broad shoulders like I do. (A “boy figure” as my mom would say. Hi, mom!)
Hardcore, But Make It Stylish
Racing/training suits are an admittedly tough category, which is why I’m going there. You’ll feel like a very cute Olympian in any of these.
Betty Designs Top + Bottom My preferred bikini for cold-plunging, it screams hotrod! but somehow says wholesome at the same time.
Athleta Crystal Cove One Piece A solid choice: Double-lined, athletic-cut, and UPF 50+. Looks good and stays put for water sports or poolside play. Since 2021, Athleta has doubled-down on offering a wider range of sizes, as well as featuring a variety of body types on-site and plus-size mannequins in stores. Tip for this specific suit: Choose “tall” because the torso runs short.
Betty Designs One Piece Racerback Everyone knows TYR and Speedo, but this entire line is designed by a female and former competitive triathlete. And it’s built for badassery.
Patagonia Sunny Tide One Piece I would never have thought of this outdoor brand for swim, but it’s been a go-to ever since I became enamored with one on a rack in a mountain store. You get full booty coverage and that sweet Patagonia lifetime guarantee.
Cool-Girl One Pieces
Sporty and stylish…great under summery trousers, shorts or a sarong.
Andie Jetties One Piece I have it in white ribbed—I know, stick with me—and it stays opaque when wet, and looks effortless as a body suit for dinner dates. Everyone who DMed me swim recs on IG loves The Amalfi, too.
Mondays Swimwear Clovelly One Piece Cut high at the hip and lower in the back. A little sassy, very durable. It’s currently 40% off.
Gigi C Mathilda One Piece You’ll see this ooolalah line show up in many Sports Illustrated Swim shoots. (Also, the founder, Gigi, is just the coolest and sweetest.) Definitely a splurge, but insanely well constructed.
Elevated All-Black Classics
Like the LBD you can’t quit, the best ones never go out of style.
Left On Friday Sunday Suit The GOAT. Made with a silky, smoothing fabric that moves with your body—not against it. Great compression without digging. Rinse-and-repeat approved.
Summersalt The Sidestroke TikTok famous for good reason. Asymmetrical, supportive, chlorine-resistant, and highly photogenic…gah, it really delivers. PS Love this brand because whether you’re a size 2 or a size 22, everyone wins with plenty of options.
Aerie The Surfer One Piece I wore this stunner with long dark jeans and heels—bodysuit style—a couple years ago on the TODAY Show. I wish I’d had a reason to spin around and show off its strappy back.
*The Best* Of Amazon
Because sometimes you just gotta scratch that fast, cheap itch.
Cupshe…all of them! You never forget your first Cupshe, lol. Solid, holds up for at least a full summer, cute…total score for the price. I linked to my fave, but explore the (many) one-pieces and sets.
Volafa Smocked Bathing Suit It’s giving Hunza G vibes with the texture, and the floral print isn’t cheesy. Amazon reviewers are obsessed. Also? $30 for the set.
Zinzpretty Color-Blocked, High-Waisted Bikini There’s a neon, 80s energy to this suit, which delivers “tummy” compression, bum coverage, and chest support. I just influenced myself to buy it.
Sporlike Black Ruffled V-Neck One Piece An affordable ($40) way to play with ruffles and, as a woman with a small chest, I super-dig the flattering, plunging neck.
Pink Queen Cheeky High-Waist Bikini Set Throwing in an adorable and very positively-reviewed bandeau option for you. (It has detachable straps.) You’re welcome.
Highly Recommended Brands
I’ve never personally road-tested any of these higher-end brands, but my IG followers passionately love them.
Une Piece (“Australians know swim” said an IG follower who rec’ed this brand)
Pepper (Designed for small chests)
Carved (This brand is tops for mixing and matching)
Beach Riot (Something from the Americana capsule would be cute for July 4)
Vitamin A (Bonus points for their easy-to-navigate site)
Finish your ‘Fit
Some “crucial” extras to get your summer started right.
Skip the Jergens and use my faux glow secret weapon: Typology daily bronze-building duo. Everyone will say “You’re so tan!” even though you stood in the rain at Hershey Park in a ski jacket watching soccer over Memorial Day Weekend.
I swear by an oversized button-up in lieu of a traditional cover-up (I’m allergic to those). The Deep End from AYR is extra cute unbuttoned with some swishy pool pants or cutoff jean shorts. My cost-per-wear is basically pennies at this point.
These Roman-style Tevas would be so rad for boat-cruising on a lake or to tone down a sexy dress on vacay date night.
A polarizing pair of pants! I rocked some Alo mesh track pants as beachwear over Easter weekend and I don’t regret it. I’d go with these if I was buying another pair.
Win the pool deck by pairing Relax Lacrosse Brand R1 Lax Shorts with jelly sandals plus a graphic tee or men’s tank top.
If I were going surfing soon, I would jump on one of Cynthia Rowley’s color-blocked wetsuits. Drool.
This list is compiled entirely from my sunshine-loving heart and brain. I may earn some affiliate revenue if you shop the links.
Not me clicking on EVERY. SINGLE. LINK. Thanks Liz!
I LOVE my TYR swim bikini. Perfect bum coverage (could even play beach volleyball), sports bra type top that doesn't feel like giving birth to yourself when you take it off.
https://www.tyr.com/tyr-women-s-solid-diamondfit-top-swimsuit.html?selectedp=237281&selectedc=4057&selecteds=color&preselect=4057