18-07-2025
The best swimsuits for tall women: tried and tested by the You magazine fashion team who are 5'8 and over
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There's always lots of talk about the horror of bikini shopping, but if you're a woman over 5 foot 8, you'll know that finding the perfect swimsuit can be far more tricky.
Squeezing a one-piece onto a torso that's any longer than average is not fun; high-cut legs become positively obscene, the straps are stretched and as for the crotch area – the less said the better.
With many high street stores from John Lewis to & Other Stories only offering their swimsuits in one standard length, this can make options for tall women very limited. In fact, bikinis are the safest option – but if you want to rock a swimsuit, where can you turn?
Sophie Dearden-Howell, You magazine's fashion director, and Sophie Hines, lifestyle and digital editor, know this struggle all too well. At 5 ft 10 and 5 ft 9 respectively, they have both been on a mission to find tall fit swimwear that actually delivers on its promise. Here are their findings – with swimsuits from the likes of Marks & Spencer, Boden and Bravissimo.
SOPHIE HINES, LIFESTYLE AND DIGITAL EDITOR TRIED…
Boden Levanzo Halter Swimsuit (Long length)
£75 Shop
When I first took this out of the packaging I was slightly horrified – a hot pink, halterneck swimsuit with ruching around the stomach just screams frumpy to me. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I tried it on, because it does like up to its 'body sculpting' claims – plus it was certainly long enough for my 5 ft 9 body.
Skybak Ursula Swimsuit (Standard)
£175 Shop
Skybak is a swimwear brand that's been specifically created for tall women (Helen, the founder, is 6ft), so I had very high hopes of this design. I would say you need to size up when choosing which size to buy (I'm at 8 on top, 10 on bottom, and the small was much too small on me). However, the medium was perfect, and it's nice to have a belted swimsuit where the belt actually falls on my waist, rather than the whole thing feeling completely stretched out of proportion. The quality is excellent too.
M&S Floral Shirred Bandeau Swimsuit (Long)
£35 Shop
While this swimsuit gains points for having detachable, adjustable straps – so you can wear it as a bandeau if you wish, and can tweak the length of the straps to fit your shoulders – it loses a few for being a tad granny-ish in the print. I do quite like the shirred effect, but I'm not sure that overall it was doing much for my figure.
Boden Lefkada Square Neck Swimsuit (Long)
£79 Shop
It was probably a mistake trying this swimsuit on for the first time after eating my dinner; the horizontal stripes over the stomach are really not your friend when bloated. The fit was good but overall I found the print a bit busy and less flattering than I expected. I have one of Boden's Santorini swimsuits in the longer length and like that much more.
M&S Printed Padded One Shoulder Swimsuit (Long)
£35 Shop
I absolutely adore this swimsuit; it was my favourite of all the designs. The one-shoulder design is extremely flattering, the length was perfect and the tropical print is the stuff of holiday dreams.
Next Steel Blue Shaping Tummy Control Bandeau Swimsuit (Standard length)
£35 Shop
I should preface this with the fact that 90% of my height is in my torso. Having tried on a very short-bodied swimsuit from a leading high street brand earlier this summer, I was pleasantly surprised as I peeled this costume up my torso. It easily lifted up over my larger bust and my 5ft 10 frame. The ruching is super flattering and I felt comfortable and flattered all in one.
ASOS Nina knot swimsuit in chocolate brown (Tall)
£32 Shop
I was nervous to try this one on, as swimsuits with cut outs are so often designed in the completely wrong proportions for my body and I end up with my hips pouring out of areas that I'm sure were meant for my much narrower waist! This was perfect and I felt fabulous in it, the tall cut meant everything sat where it is meant to and was actually hugely flattering, a relief on a sunny afternoon.
Bravissimo Lake Como Swimsuit (Standard)
£79 Shop
I was really excited about this one but I felt a tiny bit frumpy, the legs were cut very low and the bra shape felt ageing. I will caveat that with the fact that the length was amazing and the design is beautiful; if you are looking for more coverage it is exactly that and you will not be at risk of accidentally exposing yourself on a busy beach this summer.
Away That Day Cannes One Piece (Standard)
£225 Shop
This was my absolute favourite, I felt amazing in it. It is quite high cut so it is not for the faint of heart with regards to bottom coverage. The length is perfection though and you do not feel like you are being used as a vessel to stretch fabric. The straps are adjustable giving freedom in where you would like it to sit and the waist cinching design is so flattering. An investment for sure but it is sustainable and above everything else, lined!
4th and Reckless Abstract Print High Leg Bikini
£46 Shop
I know this piece is about swimsuits, but I have been on the hunt for a high cut flattering bikini for years and the bottoms are never long enough (which means the waist band intended to sit on your waist sits on your hips, digging in and giving you a wedgie!) I recently treated myself to this, convinced it would be another disaster I tried it on and was thrilled. It was cut to perfection on my very tall frame and it was so flattering on my tummy and legs. Win-win.
