Shopping queens, assemble: It's time to grab your laptop 👩💻 and begin the annual search for the best plus-size bathing suits out there. If you find yourself overwhelmed while online bikini-shopping, utilize this guide below to inform your shopping process — after all, you can't try on a bathing suit until the mailman drops it off, but you *can* get a pretty good idea of how it'll fit based on size ranges, pros and cons, and real customer feedback.
When searching for the best plus-size bathing suits, style influencer Maddie Touma, who regularly tests out size-inclusive fashion on TikTok for hundreds of thousands of people, recommends checking out different brand's size offerings first. The reality is that some brands still don't have a wide enough range of sizes available, which can sometimes make finding the best plus-size swimwear a more complicated process. "I’m a size XXL at least, and it's hard to find styles that go up to a 3X," Maddie explains. "So I’ll look at the size range before anything else, because if a brand only has a small size range, I know the cut of the clothing might not be right."
From there, Maddie encourages plus-size girlies to experiment with different styles — you may even find that something you swore off becomes your new favorite suit. “As a kid I lived in the world of tankinis, but as an adult, I’m determined to not form an opinion on a style until I actually try it," Maddie says. "I recently wore a string bikini for the first time and I felt SO good in it. My audience was so excited just to see someone who looked like them in a string bikini.”
This crop top 'kini is as comfy as your favorite athleisure set, but beach-approved. We're living for this shade of neon orange.
Shopper Review: "I don’t normally branch out with bright colors - however I wore this on a cruise and received so many compliments! I felt very covered where I wanted to be covered and felt like I stood out in the best way."
Rating
4.1 stars
Size Range
XL - 4XL
2
Limited Time Deal
Hanna Nikole Twist Front Criss Cross Knit Bandage Bikini
2
Limited Time Deal
Hanna Nikole Twist Front Criss Cross Knit Bandage Bikini
Full coverage suits can be totally cute, like this criss-cross set made of soft ruched material that's perfect for your Hot But Still Comfy Girl Summer wardrobe.
Shopper Review: "This swim suit is so soft, comfortable, thick, and it holds in what it needs to plus it’s CUTE!!! I used to always shy away from 2 piece swim suits because I didn’t think I’d look good in them. I decided to go out on a whim this year and this is the 2nd one I own now. If you’re questioning whether or not to buy this, please do what I did and get it!"
Calling all Tomato Girls: this is theee swim dress for you. The little cherries add a retro touch to this unique piece.
Shopper Review: "Best fitting swimdress I've ever owned. The drawstring is magical. It secures the girls in place and helps accentuate them. The bathing suit underneath the skirt is full coverage. Not cheeky like most. Could honestly wear it all day!!"
Rating
4.7 stars
Size Range
14 - 22
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4
Best Fashion Pick
Cupshe Abstract Art Plunge Twist Halter One Piece Swimsuit
4
Best Fashion Pick
Cupshe Abstract Art Plunge Twist Halter One Piece Swimsuit
Get ready for Feral Girl Summer with a swimsuit that'll help you embrace your inner ~animal~. This one piece offers medium support and medium bum coverage.
Shopper Review: "Great quality pieces and amazing price. It’s always a bit of a gamble buying it online, but this is my second time ordering from cupshe, and I have not been disappointed yet!!"
Summer 2023 is all about little stylish details, like the decorative gold rings and side tie on this tropical dream bikini. It's giving fa 👏🏼shun👏🏼.
Shopper Review: "I’m in love…I’m in love. This top fits my 42DDDs perfectly. I have excellent coverage and support. I love the fact that I have the option of straps for added support or no straps."
Tie dye 4ever <3 If you're on the lookout for a comfy swimsuit that's perfect for laying out in the sun, look no further.
Shopper Review: "This one was a real winner! It fits true to size, super comfortable, nice coverage particularly if you are larger busted. The material is really nice, colours suit a wide variety of skin tones."
These sporty vibes are perfect, perfect, perfect. You can tweak how low the neckline goes with the half-zip front (lower the zipper to avoid tan lines, and zip back up before diving into the water!).
Shopper Review: "I loved the fact that it has a front zipper and is easy to get in and out of. I bought three different colors I loved it so much. I'm an xxl size and fits my curvy body beautifully. No problems with the straps slipping or anything. Great suit !!"
Editor's Note: We love that the site offers the option to view the product on three different-sized models.
This retro swim dress is actually a two-piece set — a flowy "dress" tankini top with a built-in bra over a pair of comfy boyshorts.
Shopper Review: "Bathing suit is really cute and super flattering for us plus size ladies. I was nervous buying a bathing suit online because I’m really picky in how they look on me. So glad I took a leap of faith with this one, cutest suit I’ve ever purchased."
Rating
4.4 stars
Size Range
XS - 30
9
Limited Edition Collab
Summersalt x Diane Von Furstenberg High Leg Mid Rise Bikini Bottom
9
Limited Edition Collab
Summersalt x Diane Von Furstenberg High Leg Mid Rise Bikini Bottom
Can be worn higher or lower on the hips depending on your personal preference
Higher hip cut
Cons
Some customers complained that the wait was too high or too low for a "mid rise"
The Summersalt x DVF collaboration nailed all of your cottagecore summer dreams. This bikini set is the two-piece version of their best-selling Perfect Wrap One-Piece, and it has hundreds of good reviews. Plus, shop the matching bikini top here.
Shopper Review: "I am hard to please when it comes to bathing suit bottoms, the fit really matters, and I have never felt like a bathing suit bottom fits like a glove as much as this one did!!! It covers my pretty ample rear end with just enough fabric and fits so smoothly on my abs - best yet, I don't need to constantly adjust while wearing. I will get one in every color!!!!"
Length might be off depending on your torso length
This is one of those hidden gem swimsuits on Amazon, and it comes in over 30 colors and patterns so you can stock up on multiple. Reviewers say that the fit is A+.
Shopper Review: "I didn't expect to like these as much as I did, but I love them! Normally, my girls don't sit pretty but this suit holds them in and displays them well. This swimsuit is definitely made with bigger girls in mind."
One happy customer described this swim dress as a "HOME RUN" (yes, in all caps). This mini is perfect for anything from fancy beachside lunches to hanging out by your friend's pool.
Shopper Review: "I LOVE this bathing suit, and frankly never remember saying that before. I did size down, what a great feeling, the fit is perfect in every way and place."
Rating
4.3 stars
Size Range
10 - 40
12
Customer Favorite
Torrid Wireless Ruched Cap Sleeve One Piece Swimsuit
12
Customer Favorite
Torrid Wireless Ruched Cap Sleeve One Piece Swimsuit
This versatile one piece is a total classic, from the cute cap sleeves to the elegant square neckline and back.
Shopper Review: "I absolutely adore this swimsuit! The cap sleeves and square back are the best! And it even looks super cute under the swim skirt I got last year. I love how it could pass as acceptable under a pair of shorts if I needed to go do something without fully changing out of my suit."
Made sustainably with water-efficient manufacturing
Cons
Gingham? Hell yeah. We're all about those summer vibes, whether it's a picnic in the park or the most confident pool day you've ever had.
Shopper Review: "I'm 5'2" and 190lbs. I've never been confident in a swim suit before. Today, I rocked this suit at a water park and actually checked myself out in the mirror a few extra times. I looked hot af!"
This color scheme is giving off the vibes of sorbet and sunsets, two of our favorite warm-weather things. The cutouts allow you to show little more skin (if that's your thing).
Shopper Review: "The quality is impeccable, I felt super supportive in the bust area. Gabi literally never fails love love love this swimsuit."
Rating
4.0 stars
Size Range
14 - 32
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16
Cupshe Point Dume Daisy Plunging Halter Tie-Back Monokini
16
Cupshe Point Dume Daisy Plunging Halter Tie-Back Monokini
Groovy daisies are the perfect swimsuit print. This swimsuit ties behind the neck and around your bra band for adjustable support.
Shopper Review: "This 2-piece offered lots of structure and coverage. The colors really pop and it's fun to wear. I felt really secure in the piece. I'm a little more used to stringy bikinis that leave it all out there. If you're between sizes, go up a size."
It's a universally-accepted truth that beaches are for swimming, napping, and showing off a super cute 'fit. This set comes with a matching cover-up dress that's sheer and trendy.
Shopper Review: "I'm a heavy set woman, and feel extremely good in this two piece. I love the thong bottoms aren't your traditional thong, its about 3 inches thicker so I don't have to worry about it riding up. The top covers pretty good for my 42DDs, the cover up is thick enough to have a little spandex support to help smooth out my figure but not too thick to be a sweat box on these extremely hot days."
Say it with us: "Adjustable swimsuits > everything else". These tie straps, as one reviewer noted, with lengthen to accommodate a larger chest or tighten for extra support.
Shopper Review:" The top fit really well! The girls are looking perky and the tie straps gives you the ability to adjust how much support you have. The straps are a little long tho, which I'm not a huge fan of but something I can look past or try to fix."
A white one-piece that isn't see-through and doubles as a bodysuit? Sign us up. The underwire cups are super flattering.
Shopper Review: "I bought this to go to the beach in Lagos, Portugal. I haven’t felt confident enough to wear a swimsuit in years. But, this suit held me in, in all the right places and looked cute as it doubled as a body suit throughout the day."
Rating
3.6 stars
Size Range
XS - 5XL
20
Best Classic One-Piece
Torrid Slim Fix Wireless Lattice Front One Piece Swimsuit
20
Best Classic One-Piece
Torrid Slim Fix Wireless Lattice Front One Piece Swimsuit
A little lace-up detailing goes a long, long way. Plus, customers say it runs true to size, so you won't have to wrestle with the measurements chart to figure out which size to buy.
Shopper Review: "Don’t hesitate and just buy this swimsuit. It fits perfectly! Hides problem areas and enhances the right areas and curves. I bought my typical size and it fits like a glove. I cannot wait until I get to utilize this new piece on vacation next month."
Hannah is the Assistant Fashion & eCommerce Editor at Seventeen and covers all things style, shopping, and money. Seventeen taught her how to get dressed when she was younger, and she now spends her working hours passing down her expertise.