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When it comes to swimwear, men have it easy. All you have to do is pick up a single pair of waterproof shorts that, depending on where you shop, will cost you at most $90 (but you can usually find a decent pair of swim trunks for less than $60). Women’s swimwear is a whole other ballgame — a very expensive, almost scam-level ballgame.
I can’t remember exactly when women’s swimsuits became exorbitantly expensive — or when they started selling sets separately — but for a high-quality and stylish suit, women can expect to pay almost $200 for a simple string bikini. Yes, the norm is now $80 skimpy tops and $80 barely-there bottoms.
This is where you come in. To rectify this atrocious inequality, you should purchase the woman in your life a few swimsuits ahead of the many pool parties, vacations and beach trips she’s planning to attend this summer. To help you find the perfect suit, we’ve compiled a list of the best women’s swimwear brands.
Most of the brands on this list specialize in design-forward, supportive suits with extensive size ranges. You’ll also find labels that pack their suits with performance properties, like protection against chlorine, chemicals and UV rays. Most importantly, though, they’ll make her feel super confident this summer.
Below, the 20 best women’s swimwear brands you, a man, should know.
The Best Women’s Swimsuit Brands
Negative
In addition to their silky soft loungewear and undergarments, Negative offers a line of premium swim options that feel as luxurious as they look. After trying a couple of pieces myself, the brand has skyrocketed to the top of my swimwear list, mainly because, as a larger-chested woman, Negative’s Plunge Top is equal parts supportive and flattering (this is excruciatingly difficult to find when you are a size double D searching for a bikini top).
Andie
If you’re looking for an exceptional one-piece, go to Andie. While the brand sells a variety of stylish swimsuit styles, its one-piece suits are really where it shines. They’re supportive, flattering and, maybe most importantly, the size-inclusive, offering XS to XXL with options catering to long torsos.
Monday Swimwear
Female-run swimwear brand Monday Swimwear has become my new go-to for supportive-but-sexy swimsuit styles. Its extensive bra size range spans from AA all the way to G, so it’s a great resource for bigger busts. Which is a real godsend because anyone with a larger bust can tell you it can be quite a nightmare to find a stylish and secure bathing suit top these days.
Rivage
I recently came across a TikTok of a mother asking what types of swimsuits other moms are wearing this summer when they’re at waterparks with their kids or engaging in water-based activities where bikinis don’t functionally work. The overwhelming answer was a swimdress. Rivage’s signature swimdress is designed with versatility and comfort in mind. I got my hands on the brand’s Dakota swimdress, an elegant, A-line style reminiscent of an exercise dress, along with the brand’s swim skirt and one shoulder top (as seen on Aimee Lou Wood in The White Lotus). The material is soft, the fit is comfortable and I felt extremely chic in all three pieces.
Quince
The giant e-commerce site is a one-stop shop for nearly everything: clothing, home goods, accessories and swimwear. The styles are, admittedly, basic in terms of design, but I personally lean towards a solid-colored, classic swimsuit anyway. So if she prefers simple, timeless swimwear, Quince is a super-affordable option.
Hanky Panky
If she prefers a touch more coverage, consult Hanky Panky. The NYC-based lingerie brand that makes one of the comfiest thongs we’ve ever worn has a collection of timeless swim basics made with aqua-resistant fabric and Solar Guard (50+) protection.
Good American
While they’re mainly known for their denim jeans, Good American also has quite the swim selection of classic silhouettes. Think triangle bikinis, high-waisted bottoms that show off the thigh and sexy one-pieces, with sizes spanning from XXS to 5XL.
Araks
I’m a big fan of Araks’ lacey lingerie, sleek slips and basic cotton bralette/underwear sets, but the brand’s standout pieces are its super fun, silk chiffon color block bras and matching panties — and the brand’s premium swimwear collection is an extension of those super cute and comfy undergarments. You’ll find similar silhouettes and colorways that other beachgoers will be envious of.
Bluebella
Founded in 2005, Bluebella specializes in opulent, modern lingerie with floral designs, soft silhouettes and intriguing cage-effect strapping. Their all-new swim line is just as unique, with bold colors and sexy little details, including gold-tone chain embellishments and strappy designs.
Free People
No surprise that Free People has a lineup of boho chic swimsuit styles, many of which you won’t find anywhere else. While the retailer does offer plenty of beautiful suits from other top brands, its “free-est” collection is not to be overlooked and has pages of beachy, bohemian looks.
Abercrombie & Fitch
For more size-inclusive styles, Abercrombie is another solid resource. The brand seems to be on a constant rotation of releasing new, extremely cute and comfortable swimsuits, all varying in design (and usually on sale!). A&F has a suit for everyone. Only caveat is that in-stock sizes aren’t always available.
LSpace
Function meets fashion at LSpace. The premium lifestyle brand offers a collection of swimwear, resortwear and accessories designed with a modern, coastal-inspired vibe. You’ll find lots of color blocking, unique stitching and various silhouettes, including strapless suits, tops with cutouts and high-leg bottoms.
Grey Bandit
For the woman who wants a fun, cheeky bikini, Grey Bandit has a line of playful swimsuits that boast pink stripes, graphics of strawberries and glitter, all at a reasonable price.
Bravissimo
The size-inclusive, U.K.-based lingerie brand specializes in the perfect-fitting bras, specifically for those with bigger busts, but they also have a swimwear collection that caters to DD+ and above.
Frankie’s Bikinis
A celebrity favorite, Frankie’s Bikinis has been worn by pretty much every A-list model and actress, from Bella Hadid to Sydney Sweeney. That’s because Frankie’s has some of the most stylish suits around. Shop one-pieces, string bikinis and more with fun prints, sultry cutouts and cute accouterments.
Solid & Striped
For the woman who channels more of a Newport, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy aesthetic, the swimwear label Solid & Striped is probably where she’s been sourcing her suits. The no-frills collection includes sophisticated one-piece and two-piece suits with clean lines, solid colors and subtle accents, like a built-in belt and eyelet lace trimmings.
Aerie
For the best affordable suits, Aerie is a popular go-to. You can cop a swim top and bottom, typically for $25 each, because the women’s clothing retailer often runs sales. While Aerie’s suits have lasted me for years, they do tend to fade in color and are susceptible to the dreaded sagging that comes from chemical, chlorine, saltwater and UV exposure over time. But they have supportive styles for bigger busts and very cute designs that, for $25, you really can’t beat.
Mimi Flamingo
Eye-catching prints, layered swimsuits and sculpted silhouettes define Mimi Flamingo’s collection of swimwear. Launched earlier this year by Swim USA, the family-owned and operated company behind other well-known swim brands like Miraclesuit and Vitamin A, Mimi Flamingo offers some of the most durable, compressive suits I’ve tried. They also offer a selection of style-forward beachwear I’ll be sporting at the beach bars this summer.
Summersalt
This female-founded swim brand designed its swimwear using 1.5 million measurements from 10,000 women. The result is a collection of ultra-flattering, size-inclusive one-pieces, bikinis, tankinis and more. For the woman who wants more coverage and support without sacrificing style, Summersalt is one of the best swimsuit brands for her.
Vitamin A
For the woman who gravitates towards unique patterns, head to Vitamin A, where you’ll find a trove of summer-inspired designs. Founded in 2000 by California native Amahlia Stevens, the swimwear brand also has a focus on sustainability and constructs its pieces from soft jersey and recycled polyester yarns sourced from post-consumer waste.
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