Any benefit of retail therapy stops short at swimsuit shopping. Actually, we may need to book a session after trying on swimwear in dressing rooms with fluorescent lighting, warped mirrors, and, if you’re shopping during the off-season, a finite amount of options. 

Buying online allows you to discover new brands and unconventional designs, with permission to have an early aughts rom-com makeover montage in the comfort of your home. It does come with one problem: A dizzying array of possibilities. With help from three fashion experts, we scoured shops like Revolve and Alpine Butterfly to find you the same kind of crisscrossed string bikinis and plunging necklines filtering their way into this season’s trends. And, we included higher-coverage options with timeless silhouettes you’ll love from brands such as Andie and Aerie.

This list encompasses all, taking you through a deep dive into the best swimwear brands to shop online.

Summersalt

Summersalt

One of our favorite places to buy swimwear — seriously, we recommend their one-pieces and bikinis — Summersalt offers timeless, well-fitting designs that suit a wide variety of body types. The brand took millions of measurements on over 10,000 women to find what fits would look great on nearly everyone. They combined proper fit with universally flattering color-blocking and trend-inspired colorways to bring you swimwear you'll want to wear forever. Of course, we recommend the classic sidestroke one-piece, which launched the brand into fame, but check out some of the more underrated styles, like the perfect wrap one-piece or the plunge bikini. The brand carries up to size 24, making it one of the most inclusive spots to shop on this list, too.

Athleta

For sportier pieces that you can actually swim in without worrying that a top might go flying off, you might find what you need at Athleta. They take into consideration the active woman, giving you high necks and tankinis that will move with you as you swim. Plus, with flattering details, like ruching on the tummy and high-waisted bottoms, the swimwear looks as good as it feels. We love that many of the pieces also allow you to select your cup size, too, including pieces made just for DDs, so you can ensure a perfect fit. Larger breasts won't have to worry about accidentally spilling out of the top, while those with smaller chests can avoid any gapping from too-big tops.

J.Crew

We consider J.Crew's swim a sleeper hit. With timeless-looking designs, your swimwear from the prep-inspired brand will stay relevant for years to come. We have our eyes on the vintage-looking underwire bikini top in charming florals and the bandeau top one-piece with a flattering ruched middle. Constantly collaborating with different companies, like Liberty, Dauphinette, and SZ Blockprints, J.Crew brings fresh patterns to the table that you'll likely never get tired of. The brand also has options for plus-size folks, those with long torsos, and even petite women. We also recommend looking at the effortless coverups, many of which come in matching prints.

Andie Swim

Andie Swim 

Look, grandma-core has its time and place, but old-fashioned designs aren't tantamount to full-coverage swimwear. Stylist Samantha Brown recommends Andie for anyone wanting “fuller coverage options that don't look dowdy.” (Slim chances of that happening with Demi Moore as an investor.) Moore collaborated with the brand to release an adorable collection of vintage-inspired bikinis that anyone can feel comfortable wearing, while not looking out of place in the 21st Century. The brand also incorporates more contemporary details into its swimsuits, like taking a page from activewear trends and using thick, one-shoulder straps and animal prints. Bonus: Andie makes online bathing suit shopping a little easier by offering online size consultations with its stylists.

Amazon

Of course, we have to talk about Amazon's swimsuits. Known for its affordable, well, everything, Amazon has trendy styles that you can order quickly and have just in time to take on vacation — it's probably the most useful of the bunch for emergency orders. Most of the suits from brands like InStyle-favorite Cupshe, come in full sets, instead of separates, so keep that in mind when you order because you probably won't be able to pick different sizes for the top and bottom. We love the array of styles from sexy options, like this mesh one-piece, to curve-enhancing choices to daring bikinis. Anyone looking for rash guards or full-coverage swim garments can easily find them on Amazon, too. We even have our eyes on some of the charming cover-ups offered to go with our new swimwear.

Nordstrom

One of our favorite retailers, period. We always go to Nordstrom for high-quality pieces from well-known brands. You're bound to find designs from Billabong, Becca, Good American, Tommy Bahama, La Blanca, and more at Nordstrom. The site can easily be searched for specifics — color, size, brand, for example — leading to a great user experience. But it's the impeccable curation that we keep coming back for. You probably won't find the most affordable pieces of all here, but these suits will last for years to come.

Target

Yet another affordable place to shop, you shouldn't be surprised to find Target on this list either. Not only does Target offer a plethora of sizes for everyone to find the right fit for them, but the mega-retailer has trendy garments you'll actually want to wear, too. We have our eyes on some recently released swimwear from Target's designer collections with Fe Noel, Rhode, and Agua Bendita, which will certainly turn heads as you head to the beach. You'll find lots of metallic and glitter one-pieces next to more classic bikinis, like this bandeau top or this ribbed number. So, regardless of your style, there's certainly something you'll love.

Jade Swim

Founded by a former fashion editor, Jade Swim takes simple, wearable shapes but mixes it with luxurious looking (and feeling) fabrics that elevate the entire style. It even uses details like ruching and thick belts to turn today’s trends into timeless pieces. It’s no wonder that we’ve spotted models like Kaia Gerber and Chrissy Teigen sporting the brand’s minimalistic and ultra-sleek designs. One thing you won’t see, though: Prints. The sustainable fashion brand, which makes all its swimwear at its studio in California, only offers solid colors to minimize water waste typically needed for printing patterns.

Solid & Striped

Solid And Striped

Anyone looking for high-quality designs should keep an eye on Solid & Striped. As one of the more well-known swimwear brands, we're big fans of the brand for its lifeguard- and preppy-inspired pieces (this red one-piece practically screams modern-day Baywatch) mixed in with more innovative designs. We appreciate how detailed each swimsuit is, regardless of how simple in form, by adding faux boning, underwire cups, or belts around the waist. Just a note, we imagine these pieces are made more for lounging on the beach or attending a party, rather than a vigorous swim.

ASOS

Similar to Amazon, ASOS offers affordable, on-trend designs for everything from a destination vacation to a day to the beach with friends. The retailer supplies the site with options for nearly everyone with swimwear for plus-size folks, larger breasts, long torsos, and curvier bodies. You can sort between styles in order to lead you right to what style you had in mind — check out the high-waisted bikinis and one-pieces with cutouts, or get even more granular with high-cut bottoms, one-shoulder tops, and halter necks.

Spanx

We turn to Spanx when we want basic pieces that feel great, last forever, and make us (and icons like Oprah and Jennifer Garner ) feel confident. Coincidentally, that’s exactly what we want from our swimwear, too, and their line of basic bathing suits hit every point. It’s worth spending a little extra on the minimalist styles since they’re easily converted into our everyday outfits. We envision pairing this tube skirt with crop tops and tees or taking this chlorine and water-resistant sports bra out for a sweat sesh in the gym and at the pool.

Cupshe

With most of its pieces clocking in under $30, Cupshe is our go-to brand for recreating styles seen on our favorite TV show or celeb’s swimwear selfies. We understand why it has the TikTok seal of approval with quite a few bestsellers, from comfortable one-pieces to itsy bitsy bikinis. You can pretty much find any type of swimsuit you want — ultra sheer, high-cut bikini bottoms, long-sleeved surfer one-pieces, and more. It also offers swimwear in plus sizes with just as many versatile styles up to 4X. Since the affordable prices offer a little more wallet wiggle room, it’s a great brand to experiment trying new trends. 

While there might still be that debate over whether or not leggings can be considered pants, we can at least thank Kim K for shutting down any questions about whether bikinis are tops. And we might copy her style with one from the Skims swim collection. Like the brand’s best-selling, (and often sold-out) shapewear and loungewear, it features an inclusive size range that runs from XXS-4X. It has more basic pieces like triangle tops and ties bottoms with the same comfortable and supportive fabric as your favorite Skims leggings or sports bra. It wouldn’t be a Kardashian clothing line, though, with a couple of statement-making outfits, like this matching metallic two-piece set you can mix and match with traditional bottoms, a sarong-style skirt, or biker shorts.

We’ll save you from swiping up: That swimsuit linked in your favorite influencer’s story during their weekend in Montauk or Coachella excursion is probably from Revolve. The site stocks trendy, vibrant swimwear from high-end brands like Versace to more affordable options from MinkPink and Lovers and Friends. If you’ve ever wanted to try aesthetics like cottagecore or buy into the bucket hat revolution, Revolve has all the options to embrace them all. Case in point: This floral set from LPA complete with a matching hat. You can still feel like you’re hitting the beaches of paradise (and take plenty of selfies), even without a ticket booked to Punta Cana, by shopping from strappy, crochet styles and maximalist prints.

PatBO

Whether lounging in your backyard or vacationing White Lotus style, Patbo’s palm tree prints and tropical color schemes give your swimwear an elevated resort look. Its playful designs include sneaky slits and mixed materials, like the highrise Tropicalia Cut-Out Bikini Bottom, which features a side cutout accentuated with a tortoiseshell buckle. Beverly Osemwenkhae, an NYC-based stylist and founder of ProjectBee Wardrobe Consulting, tells us she’s also a fan of the brand because its clothing works well on everyone, from taller customers to those with petite frames.

Curvy Beach

Curvy Beach

Wearing string bikinis should come with a wardrobe malfunction warning. But, this doesn’t mean only B-Cups and below can capitalize on itty bitty styles. We can help when you need tips on finding a swimsuit with a fuller bust, and you can turn to brands specifically created with these types of buyers in mind, like Curvy Beach. Sarah Chiwaya, a blogger and plus-size fashion expert, loves the woman-owned brand because it carries, “string bikinis that actually work on full busts.” Founder Elizabeth Taylor previously told InStyle she created the brand in 2017 for plus-size customers to have a string bikini that accommodates their shape, instead of the other way around. Since you’re supporting a small business, you may have to be patient for new releases, but we think the restock is worth the wait.

Norma Kamali

Norma Kamali

It’s not hard to understand why the brand is popular with fashion trailblazers, like Beyoncé, Sara Jessica Parker, Mindy Kaling, and others. As more statement pieces, rather than your everyday triangle bikini, Norma Kamali’s bathing suits give us more upscale garments that mimic her best-selling ruched Diana dress, only with fabric you can actually wear in water. The designs overlay images of different fabrics, like this cable knit printed one-piece, to create optical illusions and eye-catching swimwear. Its styles offer a little bit of every aesthetic, whether you want to lean into Barbiecore with a pink retro metallic number or go edgy with this leather-on-leather all-black bikini.

Cacique

It’s hard to find a brand that offers swimsuits with cups that go above a DD, so when she’s looking for bra-level support, Chiwaya opts for Cacique, Lane Bryant’s intimate brand that we’ve also commended many times before. Cup sizes range from C to H with many styles featuring a lining, adjustable straps, and underwires for a natural lift. Even the string bikinis include power mesh linings to keep anything from slipping out of place. But best of all, Cacique doesn’t sacrifice style to provide extra security. Paired with a chunky white sandal and black slit skirt, this silvery, futuristic metallic two-piece has dinner, drinks, and dancing in its future.

Miraclesuit

Miraclesuit

Not interested in the barely there bikinis seen on celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski, Bella Hadid, or Kim Kardashian? No problem. Miraclesuit offers sleek swimwear that keeps you covered everywhere. The brand carries options, like this catsuit-style one-piece, which have just the right amount of sexy when wearing it in and out of the water without being too revealing. Every piece is well-constructed, super durable, and uses luxurious-feeling material made to last. Perhaps, what the brand is best known for, though, is how it designs built-in shapewear to enhance your figure and give extra support. We’re particularly drawn to the preppy athleisure looks found in its collection of flouncy swim dresses and skirts.

Becca Swim

Becca Swim

Becca Swim mastered what many fail to achieve: It creates styles that nail trends yet stay relevant through every micro-cycle. Take it from someone who still pulls out her Becca bikini from high school every summer; you’ll have its swimwear in your drawers for years. Once thought of as a more youth-centered brand, the swimwear brand extended its collection over the years to include sophisticated styles such as halter-neck one-pieces and simple, square-neck styles. But, when you do want to follow Bella Hadid’s lead with something more skimpy, you can find the brand’s take on styles that continue to crop up every year like triangle bikinis and low-back one-pieces.

Chromat

If you haven’t heard of the barrier-breaking brand Chromat, allow us to introduce you. One of the first to embrace an anti “bikini body” sentiment, the brand creates gender-inclusive swimwear, considering every type of customer and their specific needs. The SS22/Resort collection collaborated with trans activist Tourmaline to debut a swimsuit line “for girls who don't tuck.” Shop tons of styles in sizes up to 4X that employ strappy designs, velvet fabrics, and clear buckles to create one-of-a-kind looks. We’re fond of this two-piece which uses mesh and electric colors for a futuristic look. 

In addition to thinking of all genders and body types, Chromat keeps the planet in mind too.  According to the site, the brand makes all its clothing using “regenerated nylon spun from fishing net and recovered post-consumer plastic bottles” in safe, fair-wage factories in NYC and Sofia, Bulgaria.

Zimmerman

If Emily Cooper needed a new bikini, we’re sure she wouldn’t have trouble finding one in the eccentric styles from Zimmerman. On the more high-end (read: pricey) side, the brand isn’t afraid of mixing patterns and colors to rework trends into whimsical swimwear pretty enough to hang on your wall. Consider a crochet triangle bikini you can double as a crop top Dua Lipa-style or the ‘90s-inspired design of this bandana print one piece. Don’t be dismayed if you need something a little more under-the-radar. Zimmerman offers plenty of streamlined, solid-colored options that are just as beautiful and luxurious-looking.

Riot Swim

You’ll bring the heat to any pool party wearing the figure-hugging, sleek swimwear from Riot Swim. The barely-there styles, including the skinny-strapped Jax Top, don’t skim on support. Maybe we wouldn’t be Vanessa Hudgens-brave to wear the tiny tops on a hike, but, hey, with double-lining and underwire, they would probably hold up. The brand challenges that sexy means being uncomfortable, by using stretchy materials like nylon and spandex for a second-skin feel, similar to shapewear.

Alpine Butterfly

Alpine Butterfly

When we want unique, sexy styles in an inclusive size range, Chiwaya tells us no one does it better than the Latine-owned brand Alpine Butterfly. The impetus behind the brand’s conception, per the site, was when Olga Phillips couldn’t find any flattering swimsuits for her plus-size niece. Carrying up to a 6X, you’ll have a field day browsing through strappy Love Island-type bikinis and dreamy organza embellished two pieces. Most of the styles can easily pass as going-out clothes, too, like this sparkly pink belted number, which practically begs to be worn out. You’re not likely to have a “who wore it better” moment on the beach either, since the brand’s sustainable, zero-waste approach designs each collection in limited quantities.

Eres

We’d never turn down a puffy sleeve or neon number, but when you want a swimsuit that will outlast any trend, Osemwenkhae suggests Eres. “It’s a great brand for women who want that timeless classic swimsuit and good quality,” she explains. The French luxury designer, whose star-studded fans include Olivia Wilde and Katie Holmes, makes splurge-worthy swimwear worth the investment. I mean, is there anything more decade-defying than a Pamela Anderson-inspired red one-piece? Eres uses subtle details like delicate eyelets, thick ribbon ties, and smartly placed zippers to create styles that are still contemporary but won’t end up in a landfill next season. And even if a front looks particularly plain, they spice up the suit with a funky strap detail in the back or an alluring low back to keep things interesting.

What to Keep in Mind

Materials

Most swimwear is made from a blend of nylon, polyester, and elastane, like Lycra, for durability. Some, like Spanx, even include UPF protection from the sun (though, we’d never recommend skipping your SPF). If your pool plans involve more sunbathing and less high-diving, you can expand your options to ones that include a little more delicate material crochet, like this pick from Zimmerman. 

Support 

Many brands, like Cacique and Riot Swim, have perfected their designs to include underwire for bra-level support without the discomfort of feeling like you’re wearing one. Others, like MiracleSuit, even have built-in shapewear that gently squeezes and accentuates your figure. 

But, swimwear ultimately comes down to what you feel most comfortable in, which Chiwaya tells us doesn’t always mean maximum control and support. She explains that “as someone with a full figure and heavy boobs, I grew up thinking I needed to be in the swim equivalent of shapewear and have full underwire support at all times. But now some of my favorite suits are ones that embrace my body exactly as it is — and I feel hot in them.” We recommend experimenting with different styles to find what’s right for you. But keep in mind the return policies because for sanitary purposes, you might not be able to return the suit after its purchased.

Your Questions, Answered

What’s the best way to find your right size when shopping for swimsuits online?

To find something you feel best wearing, Chiwaya recommends always having your bust, waist, and hip measurements on hand and coordinating them with the size chart. When you’re unsure, Osemwenkhae says she usually references her bra and underwear size when looking for a two-piece swimsuit and her dress size for one-pieces. She tells us for one-piece swimsuits, to “try your normal size or size down — this is all depending on the cut. One-piece swimsuits are usually made of 70% spandex and nylon, so they have a lot of give.”

Looking into the brand and reading reviews for a better understanding of how the sizing runs — true to size, big, or small — can help make your decision too. “If your measurements are between that brand's listed sizes or if you are unsure what size to get, I always recommend sizing up, because swim as a category tends to run small,” Chiwaya adds. Brown suggests, “Try your swimsuits on at home, in good lighting, with real mirrors. Don’t be thrown by the awful fluorescents in stores, and don’t be fooled by tilted mirrors that warp your figure." If you don’t love how you look in the swimsuit, it isn’t the right style for you — at the end of the day, it has absolutely nothing to do with your body.

How can you style a swimsuit to wear beyond the pool or beach?

Swimsuits bend the rules — they aren’t confined to water-related activities or even a single season. “I love wearing a duster or kaftan with a wide-brim hat with my one-piece swimsuit,” Osemwenkhae says. “Sometimes I will turn my sarong into a top over my bikini and pair it with a loose pair of denim cut-offs and espadrilles.” 

Chiwaya and Brown like to use their solid-colored one-pieces as body suits. Chiwaya suggests you, “pair them with baggy jeans or layer them under a blazer to get extra wear in colder weather.” She also adds that “the sheer trend that is set to dominate 2023 is also a great opportunity to use a bikini as a cute base layer.”

What’s the best way to extend the life of your suit? 

In the same way, you’d care for a nice coat or your favorite pair of trousers, once you’ve invested in a quality swimsuit it’s important to give it a gentle wash to ensure it has the longest life possible. Brown tells us hand washing is ideal, and to lay it flat or hang it to dry. “Putting swimsuits in the dryer can wear down the fabrics over time,” she explains. 

If you find yourself replacing swimwear every year, splurging on a high-quality swimsuit may save you from constantly repurchasing new styles. “Fast fashion swimwear is great for hitting the trends, but the construction of the suit may not hold up over time,” Brown says. She suggests you opt for higher-quality brands and invest in timeless silhouettes. 

Why Shop with Us

Irene Richardson is a writer with over five years of experience covering fashion and beauty trends. For this story, she spoke with fashion experts Beverly Osemwenkhae, Sarah Chiwaya, and Samantha Brown to get their recommendations and learn more about what it takes to find the suit you’re most comfortable wearing.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qrrSrbClnV6YvK57xZqqoaGfo3ykuM6tn6Kml2Svpr%2FTZqelmZOawG7AzmaZrrFdqMSqudKuoK2r