The Best Plus-Size Swimwear, And Where To Find It

Forbes

21-05-2025

Plus-size swimsuits used to be restricted to specialty stores with limited options, but they can now be found at a variety of size-inclusive retailers. The best plus-size swimwear comes in a range of styles, sizes and supportive fits. After extensive research and speaking with a style expert, we chose Swimsuits For All as the best place to buy plus-size swimwear online. The suits are well made using high-quality fabrics, and the site allows you to filter selections according to body type, neckline, coverage and more.
The best plus-size swimsuits come in great fabrics, fits and silhouettes.
We've written about the best swimsuit brands at length; for this story we reached out to Salifya Akers, a plus-size personal stylist with Ahead of the Curve Styling Agency, for her expert insight. We found great inclusive options, whether you're looking for a bikini, one-piece or a swimsuit with tummy-control. Because we know swimsuit shopping can take some trial and error, all of our picks come with free exchanges and flexible return windows, too.
Swimsuits For All
Sizes: 4 to 34 | Price range: $10 to $140 | Return policy: Free exchanges and returns within 60 days of ship date
What's notable: The retailer offers an extensive selection of swimsuits and often runs promotions with steep discounts.
What could be better: The site's design is busy so it can be confusing to navigate.
Whether you're looking for a high-waisted bikini, a well-fitting one-piece or something with extra support on top, Swimsuits For All has you covered. Its variety of options is extensive, and it offers up to size 42 in some styles. Reviewers rave about the quality of the swimsuits, noting that they don't fade or look worn after just a few wears. When shopping, the site is easy to navigate, too: You can sort by criteria like body type, style, color, fabric and neckline.
Summersalt
Sizes: 0 to 24 | Price range: $95 to $145 | Return policy: Returns accepted within 21 days with $8 handling fee; free exchanges within 21 days
What's notable: Summersalt's best-selling designs are based on measurements from real women's bodies, so the fits make sense.
What could be better: Exchanges are free, but you still have to pay an $8 handling fee for returns.
Plenty of one-piece swimsuits can feel blah and boring, but Summersalt's styles feature elevated detailing that is figure-flattering and chic. The Sidestroke's diagonal seams are elongating, and an unexpected back strap adds to the unique silhouette. The recycled polyamide elastane blend fabric offers compression while still being comfortable, and it wears well over time when exposed to sun, saltwater and chlorine. If you're looking for additional styles, Summersalt bikinis and tankinis also go up to a size 24.
Amazon
Sizes: XS to 4X | Price range: $13 to $46 | Return policy: Cupshe site returns accepted within 30 days of shipping date with $4.99 fee for new customers; free exchanges and returns through Amazon
What's notable: Cupshe does on-trend styles well, featuring bold, vibrant patterns with most pieces are under $50.
What could be better: It can take some searching to find certain pattern and color options because they're not all available on the Cupshe website.
For when you want a bikini with a little bit more coverage, Cupshe offers great high-waisted bottoms and supportive top sets. This set offers support and style: The top is adjustable and has a flattering ruffle with movement, and the bottoms are both comfy and cute. The brand has bikinis in a wide range of patterns, colors and fits, so there's a good chance you'll find one you like.
Target
Sizes: XS to 3X | Price range: $15 to $165 | Return policy: Free returns within 90 days of purchase date; free returns for 365 days on Target-owned brands
What's notable: Most of Target's swimsuit options cost less than $50. Its return policy is also customer-friendly, so it's easy to try on different styles and sizes.
What could be better: Sizing can be inconsistent among brands.
Target is a favorite of plus-size experts due to its stylish and reasonably priced swimwear, most swimsuits retail for under $50. The in-house brands Wild Fable, Shade & Shore and Kona Sol offer lots of on-trend styles—like this top-rated tankini—and they also carry popular brands like Eloquii, Swim 365 and Land's End.
Miraclesuit
Sizes: 16W to 24W | Price range: $96 to $216 | Return policy: Free exchanges and returns within 30 days
What's notable: The highly compressive fabric sculpts and smooths without being uncomfortable or restrictive.
What could be better: The brand's selections are pricier than many others.
Miraclesuit has been making shaping swimwear since 2001. Its sleek silhouettes are cut from high-quality compression fabric—the brand's signature Miratex shaping fabric—that smooths and sculpts. This bestselling shirred style is designed to lift, shape and add curves, and it offers tummy control if you're looking for extra support around your midsection. For more tummy-control styles, check out our Best Tummy Control Swimsuits story.
Bare Necessities
Sizes: Cup sizes 34E to 44JJ | Price range: $10 to $204 | Return policy: Free exchanges and returns within 30 days
What's notable: The site carries swimwear styles that offer cup-specific sizing—in some cases up to a K-cup.
What could be better: Sizing can be inconsistent across different brands.
Bare Necessities offers styles for curvy bodies from brands like Freya, Fantasie and Elomi. This plunging Elomi style has underwire for extra support and wide, adjustable straps for an ideal and comfortable fit, just like when you're wearing your favorite bra. The nylon elastane fabric is chlorine resistant and retains its shape over time.
Nordstrom
Sizes: XL to 3X | Price range: $26 to $212 | Return policy: Free returns and exchanges
What's notable: Nordstrom offers a curated selection from a variety of brands. Plus, returns and exchanges are free so you can try on various sizes without having to worry about extra costs.
What could be better: Popular styles typically sell out quickly, so if you like something you might have to move fast.
Nordstrom's suit selections for plus-size women are well curated and stylish. This swimsuit from Becca Etc. features stretch lace with a subtle peekaboo panels that create an hourglass shape. Other popular plus-size swim brands you'll find at Nordstrom include Artesands, Anne Cole, La Blanca, Shapellx and Freya. Whether you want a classic, not-basic black swimsuit, or something with a bright pattern or specialized design detailing like a removable skirt, Nordstrom has lots of choices.
Land's End
Sizes: 16W to 26W | Price range: $30 to $210 | Return policy: Free exchanges within 90 days of shipping date; $8.95 shipping fee for returns
What's notable: Many of Land's End's swimsuits are made with fabric that offers UPF 50 sun protection.
What could be better: The brand's swim fabric offers support but it's heavier that some others, so it may take longer to dry.
Swim dresses or skirts are a great option for when you want more coverage, and Land's End's inclusive swimsuit range for plus-size women is extensive. Its high-quality fabrics wear well and they last—this skirt is made from a nylon spandex blend that's chlorine-resistant. In addition to a flattering A-line silhouette, it has an attached brief, built-in tummy control and it comes in an impressive 16 colors.
At Forbes Vetted, our fashion team focuses on pieces that are stylish, high-quality and functional. When it comes to swimwear, we've covered the best bathing suit brands, the best tummy-control swimsuits and the best beach coverups.
We began by looking at plus-size swimsuits from mainstream brands that offer inclusive sizing as well as highly-rated plus-size retailers.
The best plus-size swimwear is made of a high-quality, durable fabric, which is typically a polyester or nylon blend. These tend to be long-lasting, and polyester in particular is fade-resistant. When it comes to choosing a swimsuit, "look at whether it has UPF protection, and if it's fast drying and chlorine resistant,' says Salifya Akers, plus-size stylist at Ahead of the Curve Styling Agency.
Also think about what you'll be wearing your swimsuit for. Will it be primarily for sunbathing and swimming, or for more active pursuits like beach volleyball or surfing? In general, if you'll be wearing a swimsuit for beach or water sports, consider something with a bit more stretch. 'Look for fabrics that include spandex or elastane because you want your swimsuit to be fitted and retain its shape throughout the day,' says Akers. Added stretch will also allow the fabric to flex and move with you, creating a more comfortable experience. Cotton blends, while soft and forgiving, can stretch out and lose their shape so it may be best to avoid those.
'If you have a larger bust, ask yourself—does this swimsuit have a supportive band around the rib cage, can the pads be removed, and does it have underwire?' says Akers. 'Underwire can be polarizing because some women feel that even though it adds support, it's uncomfortable.' Another feature to consider: You will likely want wider straps as well, as they are comfortable on your shoulders, and adjustable straps can provide more lift, like with Bare Necessities' Elomi Plain Sailing Plunge Bikini Top. If you're looking for tummy control, seek out styles with additional compression or supportive ruching like Miraclesuit's Oceanus One-Piece Swimsuit or a plus-size swim skirt like Land's End's Tummy Control Swim Skirt.
You don't need to be restricted to a basic one-piece. We found bikinis, tankinis and swim skirts that offer flattering, comfortable fits on curvy bodies. You just may have to experiment with different silhouettes until you find one you like. 'First consider your comfort level—how much skin do you want to show, or not show?' says Akers. 'We all come at swimsuit shopping with a different mindset. You really don't need to avoid certain silhouettes–body types can be guidelines, but fashion is all about personal expression.'
Shopping for swimsuits online may require you to purchase more than one size to be sure you've got it right, so look for swimsuits with free shipping and returns to make the process painless. Also, be sure to carefully read each brand's size chart. 'Be mindful of size variation across brands," says Akers. "A 3X may mean something very different from one retailer to another.'
More and more retailers now offer inclusive sizing, but only some are standouts when it comes to plus-size swimsuits. Our pick for best plus-size swimwear overall is Swimsuits For All for its quality and style variety. For plus-size one-pieces, we recommend Summersalt and The Sidestroke style. If you're looking for a great plus-size bikini, we suggest Cupshe's affordable and on-trend pieces.
Our pick for best tummy-control swimwear is Miraclesuit due to its high-quality compression fabric. Our top pick from Miraclesuit is the Oceanus One-Piece Swimsuit because it lifts, shapes and sculpts while accentuating curves.
In general, underwire is great for extra support on top, so if you have a larger chest then that's something to look for. We recommend Bare Necessities' selection of plus-size suits because of the cup-specific sizing, much like when you're shopping for a bra. One of our favorite styles is Elomi's Plain Sailing Plunge Bikini Top for its supportive underwire and wide, adjustable straps.