We tested over a dozen tummy-control swimsuits. These 3 were the most flattering

CNN

5 hours ago

Best tummy-control swimsuits we tested
Best tummy-control swimsuit: L.L.Bean Shaping Swimwear Tanksuit
Best budget tummy-control swimsuit: Cupshe Ruffled One-Piece Swimsuit
Best splurge tummy-control swimsuit: TA3 Lifty One-Piece Swimsuit Sometimes we need some reinforcement to feel confident wearing a bathing suit, and that's where the best tummy-control swimsuits come in. This flattering swimwear is made with extra compression, particularly through the stomach area, that can help slim and sculpt while remaining flexible and comfortable. Like shapewear, tummy-control swimsuits hug the body, enhance curves where you want them to and minimize belly pooch.
To help you find the stomach-smoothing bathing suits that you'll actually want to wear all summer, five CNN Underscored editors put 13 styles to the test. We tried a variety of one-piece and two-piece suits we think women of any body type and age can rock. From full-coverage shaping swimsuits to modest swim skirts and other two-pieces, see how our testing panel fared as we wore them to swim and soak up the sun.
L.L.Bean Shaping Swimwear Tanksuit
This one-piece has just the right amount of compression. It holds everything in while still staying comfortable, and we loved the flattering ruching detail too.
Cupshe Ruffled One-Piece Swimsuit
This under-$40 swimsuit smoothes and cinches exactly where you want it to, thanks to an adjustable lace-up back.
TA3 Lifty One-Piece Swimsuit
The most compressive — and pricy — swimsuit we tested, this curve-enhancing style feels like heavy-duty shapewear. It's expensive, but you'll get your money's worth with its sculpting effect. Editorial coordinator Stephanie Luna found this patterned swimsuit shaped her figure and offered good coverage, all while being comfortable. She said that the ruching and wrap effect helped give her an hourglass shape, which was reinforced by lining in the front of the suit. For just over $100 — midrange pricing for the swimsuits we tested — it felt like good value for the results.
Luna wore it for a water aerobics class, and she felt secure the whole time. The straps stayed in place and she didn't have to adjust the swimsuit. Since she is 5-feet tall, this is often a fit issue she runs into, so she was pleased that wasn't the case with this one.
Made with a nylon and Lycra blend, the one-piece resists damage from chlorine, salt water, sun and heat, according to the brand. Luna said the material also felt high quality, and it held up well in the wash. She also appreciated that the suit offers sun protection with a UPF 50+ rating.
The L.L.Bean Shaping Swimwear Tanksuit comes in a variety of patterns, in regular, plus and long sizes. 'The style runs true to size as long as you follow the sizing guide provided on the website,' Luna said. 'The size is larger than what I usually wear but matched my measurements when using the sizing guide.'
Managing editor Rachel Quigley has been on the hunt for pretty swimwear she can feel confident wearing in her 40s, and this Cupshe one-piece is one of her favorites. The style is flattering and provides decent compression, especially from the front. 'I feel like it made my stomach look flatter and the tie back helped cinch my waist in a bit,' Quigley said. 'The patterned design and side ruching hid a multitude of sins, so I felt very confident in this.'
Unlike frumpy shaping swimwear, this suit is plenty stylish. And the ruffle trim, lace-up back and V-neckline aren't just cute design details, they help complement your figure. For example, Quigley explained that frills can add dimension to your body and enhance certain areas depending on where they are placed. 'Frills around the stomach area are a big no for me,' she said. 'Thankfully, these were strategically placed around the neckline, where I certainly need some enhancement. Not only that but the pretty frill pattern also draws the eyes away from my waist area, so this was a big plus for me.'
She also appreciated that the tie-back meant that she could make the swimsuit as loose or tight as she wanted, customizing the fit and comfort level to her body.
This was the most affordable one-piece we tested, and we were thrilled to see that the quality exceeded expectations. Cupshe has been a CNN Underscored go-to for cheap swimwear, and Quigley has other swimsuits from the brand that she said have held up well. This particular style comes in 25 colors and prints.
TA3's patented swimwear has generated plenty of buzz for its super-sculpting styles. Even after failing to get a 'Shark Tank' deal, the brand soared to success with its waist-snatching swimsuits and has since been worn by celebrities including Beyoncé, Sydney Sweeney and Bethenny Frankel.
As someone with a fairly straight figure, I was eager to see if the TA3 Lifty One-Piece could give me the illusion of curves. What I wasn't expecting was an immediate difference. Thanks to the strategic colorblocking on the side panels, as soon as I put the swimsuit on, I suddenly had the look of an hourglass silhouette. It only got better from there. Once I pulled the laced-up back tighter, my waist was nipped in and my stomach area felt more supported too.
At $188, this is the most expensive swimsuit I've ever put on my body, but I think it's 100% worth it. Besides the visual enhancement to my figure, it feels good to wear. The nylon and spandex fabric is thick and provides midweight compression that really keeps everything sucked in. For some, this might feel too extreme — it can be a bit of a squeeze to get into the swimsuit, and once it's on, it feels like wearing shapewear — but I liked the strong, supportive fit.
I was also pleasantly surprised that this style was relatively modest. Besides the open laced back, it provided decent coverage in the chest area with underwire cups, and it completely covered my bum. You can tell it was made to fit a woman's figure, and this is reflected by the sizing options too. It comes in three torso lengths, A to K cups and XXS to 4X sizing. I highly recommend consulting the size chart before ordering. I'm in-between sizes and tried both the XS and the small; both fit, but the tighter squeeze of the XS really amplified the compression.
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Our panel of testers wore each swimsuit multiple times and washed them to see how well they held up. We sported them in several swim-friendly settings, like at the beach, in the pool and even in a cold plunge tub. During our testing, we evaluated each style on the following criteria.
Compression: Tummy-control swimwear is meant to smooth and sculpt. Did the swimsuit provide enough compression? Was it uncomfortable at any point?
Fit: Was the swimsuit flattering? Did it run true to size? Did it fit well both when wet and dry?
Durability: Did the material and construction feel high quality? Did the garment stay supportive and retain its shape post-wash?
Value: Was it worth the price? Would you purchase it again?
Shapellx Smart Sculpt Ribbed Cutout-Front Shaping Swimsuit
Ruching and a cutout give this one-piece a bit of flair, but it received a middling score for its fit and shaping. 'I'm not usually a one-piece swimsuit gal, but I loved the pinup, vintage-inspired look of this one,' associate testing writer Carolina Gazal said. When she tried it on, however, the ruching proved to be too baggy for Gazal's frame, and it wasn't as compressive as the other swimsuit she tested. 'The baggy parts sat in the wrong places for me (meaning: lower stomach), but this suit could fare well for a taller, curvier body type,' she said.
Popilush Shapewear Plunging V Slimming One-Piece Swimsuit
Made with three layers of material, this tummy-control swimsuit hugs and supports the stomach area. We think it's a great under-$100 option. Simple yet stylish, this swimsuit offers ample compression around the midsection, which makes sense because it's from a shapewear brand. It has three layers of fabric, including a mesh lining, to hold everything in.
I thought it ran true to size, and it felt high quality, especially considering the price point. It kept its shape after multiple washes and after being exposed to extreme temperatures in the form of a sauna session and a cold plunge. The only aspect that wasn't a home run for me was the bust area: There was a little extra material in the cups. For reference, I'm a 32D bra size, so it might be a little loose for smaller bust sizes.
Etam Sculpt One-Piece Shapewear Swimsuit
This smoothing halter-neck swimsuit features a plunging neckline and full-coverage bottom. While the cut is flattering, our tester said the material felt restrictive. Made with recycled polyamide and elastane, this one-piece has a classic look but was lacking on the comfort front. Quigley said the shaping style provided compression, but she didn't think it smoothed out her lumps and bumps enough. The material was thick, but ultimately, she found the style a bit uncomfortable to move around in. She said it would be fine for a day spent sitting and sunbathing, but she wouldn't recommend it for anything more active.
Carve Designs Serenity Compression Tankini
Tankinis are making a comeback, and this style offers a body-hugging fit, although we thought it didn't provide much compression.
Carve Designs Pipa Compression Bottom
This medium-rise bikini bottom felt more compressive than the tankini but didn't offer much tummy coverage. Social coordinator Gabriella Triolo liked the flattering fit of the tankini — which features adjustable crisscross straps and removable cups — but didn't feel much compression. She said she has a large bust but smaller frame, so she tested the tankini in a large to accommodate, but the fit was a bit off. She found the cups to be too small, while the rest of the top felt looser.
Triolo also tested Carve Designs' Pipa Compression Bottom. She said it fit well and provided noticeable compression, but since it has a midrise cut, they 'didn't compress the areas most would want compressed,' like the stomach. Overall, she found the bottoms to be too expensive for what you get.
Spanx SpanxShape Swim Pique Plunge Bikini Top
The best shaping two-piece we tested, Spanx's Pique set is stretchy yet firm. The top is supportive and felt like it gave a shaping effect.
Spanx SpanxShape Swim Pique Hi-Rise Cheeky Bottom
Giving some tummy coverage and compression, this bottom struck a balance between showing some skin and not revealing too much. Spanx's bikini was Gazal's favorite swimsuit she tested. She loved how it felt firm without feeling too restricting. 'I would definitely reach for this suit if I wanted to show some skin or tan, but wanted to hide my lower stomach,' Gazal said.
Although the set is expensive, she thought it felt high quality enough to justify the price. Besides the comfortable yet shaping material, she found the cut of the top and bottoms to be super cute. 'As a short gal, it's impossible to find a high-rise swimsuit with modest coverage that doesn't cut me off in the wrong places,' she said, noting that these did the opposite by providing tummy control where she wanted it while showing some skin too. She also liked the plunging shape of the top, which worked well for her smaller chest and shorter frame. Although, she noted that someone with a larger chest might 'struggle to squeeze everything in.'
Miracle by Miraclesuit Kai One-Piece
This strappy one-piece has a built-in shelf bra, tie back and subtle ruching to complement the figure. Triolo said this full-coverage swimsuit hugged all the right places and was overall a flattering style. She liked the tummy-control compression of the nylon and spandex, and thought it was worth the price. However, the doubled straps were a bit complicated and she said she would want to avoid getting tan lines in this suit.
Lands' End Tummy-Control Swim Skirt
If you're looking for a bottom that provides more coverage, a swim skirt is a cute solution. This option ran a bit big, but we liked the variety of colors and patterns that you can mix and match with a swim top. Luna didn't find much compression in this style, particularly because it ran a bit big and felt loose around the waist. However, she liked that it had a built-in panty for coverage and the A-line cut would work on anyone. She noted that it's made with a heavier swim material, so she could really feel the weight of the skirt when she got out of the water.
Lands' End 3-Inch Smoothing Swim Shorts
We think these lined swim shorts are stylish and comfortable enough to wear all day, in and out of the water. But they left us wanting more on the compression front. Luna appreciated that these swim shorts come in petite sizes (and they're available in plus sizes too), and they had a comfortable fit. With a built-in panty, they only provided light compression through the stomach area and they didn't feel tight at the waist, so she'd consider sizing down next time. The shorts also had loose leg openings, but she liked this aspect since it looked flattering and offered more room in the thighs. 'I didn't feel it float up while swimming, which was great and added a sense of security while in the water,' she said.
Does tummy-control swimwear work?
Does tummy-control swimwear work?
Yes, tummy control swimwear works. We found several styles that effectively shaped and smoothed our figures. During our testing, we discovered that our favorite styles had a few key things in common: a double or triple layer of material, fabric that is flexible yet firm, and flattering design details, like a tie back for an adjustable fit or ruching for added coverage.
What is the best type of bathing suit to hide a tummy?
What is the best type of bathing suit to hide a tummy?
One-piece swimsuits are your best bet for hiding a tummy. You'll be able to find the most compression with a one-piece, and you can also look for styles that feature ruffles or a flattering neckline that draw attention away from the stomach area.
If you want to wear a two-piece, opt for a high-waisted style that covers the tummy or a swim skirt or shorts that provide more coverage.
What swimsuits are good for bloating?
What swimsuits are good for bloating?
One-piece swimsuits are going to be your friend here. Tie-back styles will allow you to adjust the fit as needed while still providing compression around the midsection. If you feel like you need extra hold, you can tighten the suit, or if it's getting uncomfortable, you can loosen it up.
To find the best tummy-control swimwear, we assembled a panel of five CNN Underscored editors to try a variety of styles. Our panel included different sizes, body types and style preferences.
Associate testing writer Carolina Gazal opts for petite sizing when available and prefers two-piece swimsuits, but she still looks for styles that can provide some tummy control.
Editorial coordinator Stephanie Luna prefers practical, modest styles and goes between regular and petite sizing.
Managing editor Rachel Quigley is a true size small and is willing to pay a bit more for flattering swimsuits that hide her tummy.
Fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw looks for swimwear that can give her the illusion of curves while also camouflaging her stomach area.
Social coordinator Gabriella Triolo tries to find styles that work with her self-described 'unique' curves and goes between a size medium and large.
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw, along with four other CNN Underscored staffers, tested a variety of tummy-control and shaping swimwear to find the most effective and flattering styles.