Swimsuit Shopping is Hell, But I Found 8 Styles That Don't Make Me Want To Burn It All Down
Plus 7 excellent staples from J.Crew's spring sale.
Things I Don’t Enjoy Buying (an incomplete list):
Body wash. Body sunscreen. Body lotion. Pajamas. Undies. Beach bags. Patio furniture. Socks. Tank tops. Sneakers. Flat sandals. Hair accessories. Workout clothes. Hairspray. Evening bags.
And of course: Swimsuits.
I know this will be shocking, as this sentiment is truly unique to me, and me alone, but: I hate shopping for swimsuits and I hate spending money on them. Pre-kids, I despised swim shopping slightly less, and through trial and error eventually landed on a low-stress formula. I bought black side-tie bikini bottoms (so they’d never cut into my hips) and triangle bikini tops—both of which were usually from J.Crew and are currently on sale—and called it a day. By picking basic black, my suit looked more expensive than it was, and when it was time to update, I usually could find a style I liked on sale.
And then I had kids.
While I admire the women who just go back to wearing their pre-kid suits, that hasn’t worked for me, for a variety of reasons. First is vanity; while I wish I didn’t care, pregnancy compromised the elasticity of my skin, and my torso is just different now. Also, most of my pre-kid pool time was spent lying in the sun and drinking cocktails, so I didn’t need a suit that had any staying power or performance aspect to it. My needs, to put it mildly, have changed.
Like many moms of littles, I require a swimsuit that doesn’t immediately unravel when a child tugs on it, stays in place whilst cannonballing with a wriggly four-year-old, and gives me a little more support and coverage than I used to desire.
As I’m gearing up for spring break, I’ve spent a fair amount of time surveying the swimsuit landscape, and am here to share my findings. I regret to inform you that while I tried a number of inexpensive options—from Amazon, CupShe, and ASOS, the latter of which has over 1000 suits available right now!—I didn’t find any inexpensive suits (yet!) that I could recommend without reservations. And unfortunately, my favorite favorite favorite suit is expensive, so consider yourself warned. That said, it’s also the first post-kids bikini that makes me feel amazing and forget I’m wearing a swimsuit, which is a gift.
As always, if there’s an item you’re shopping for or you need help sorting through the zillions of options out there, please don’t hesitate to drop me a comment and I will add it to my to-do list. (And why am I prompting you to comment? Because while I love DMs and always try to answer you there, my inbox is messy, and comments here are much easier for me to find and use as source material as I’m working on new things. Also, I love comments; they make me feel seen.)
YCOHO Swimsuit: Mara Hoffman Lua Bikini Top ($200) and Lydia Bikini Bottom ($195)
In my whole life, I’d never spent more than $50 on a swimsuit, so if this suit gives you sticker shock, you’re not the only one. However, last year I found this exact style for 50% off, and it honestly changed my life. I purchased the Lydia bottoms in black (size medium) and the Lua top in black and white gingham (also size medium) and it’s truly the only suit I’ve ever worn that makes me feel 100% unselfconscious.
The bikini bottoms are high waisted, but don’t cut in at your waist, and are slightly cheeky, but not so much that I feel odd wearing it around other parents. Or my own parents, for that matter. The top fits like the best balconette bra I have ever owned and stays put through most beach or pool shenanigans. Also: The material is excellent. I’ve worn the hell out of this suit and it looks brand new and the fit hasn’t changed in the slightest. A big investment, but the price-per-wear plus confidence factor makes it my You Can Only Have One pick.
PS: I also lurk on The Outnet and have had great success with finding discounted versions of the styles I like. Right now there is a orange floral Lua top and slightly different brief that are 50% off.
New-To-Me Versatile Swimsuit: J. Crew Twist-Front Bikini Top ($72.50) and High Rise Full-Coverage Bikini Bottom ($52.50) in reversible dot-stripe print
J.Crew is always my first stop when shopping for bathing suits, and I just picked up this reversible bikini on sale. Again, this is more than I’ve spent on suits historically, but it’s a) super cute on and b) truly two suits—or four, depending on how you style it—in one.
The bottoms are a little more modest than the Mara Hoffman style, and since the suit is reversible, the fabric is a smidge thicker, but the print is adorbs and the fit is grand, so that’s not a problem for me in the slightest. I took a small in the bottoms and a medium in the top.
PS: If you’re looking for my longtime one-piece favorite, it’s also currently on sale and available up to a size 24 right now.
PPS: I also bought these Cotton Voile Beach Shorts ($24.50) in Dot Print, and I love them. I have them in a small. I might have also bought the Side-Tie Beach Skirt ($54)? And if I did, it’s also amazing.
Instagram-Beloved, Hype-Worthy Swimsuit: Left On Friday Sunday Top ($95) and Hi Tide Bottom ($110)
Last summer, I wrote about “swimsuits that won’t make you feel like garbage” and I mentioned my love of the aforementioned Mara Hoffman suit, which I stand by. Within seconds of sending the newsletter, I was inundated with DMs and messages from folks who wanted to know if I’d tried the brand Left On Friday. I hadn’t, until last week, when I bought a few styles after the brand was mentioned in Nikki Ogunnaike’s Marie Claire newsletter, Self Checkout.
I get the hype! Co-founded by two former Lululemon leaders (specifically, the VP of Women’s Design and the Director of Merchandising), the brand is made from incredible Italian fabrics that truly feel phenomenal and come in over 29 colors. The bottoms I like are a similar fit to the Mara Hoffman ones, and are slightly higher waisted than that brand, with material that feels a touch slimmer, in a nice way. I really liked the simplicity of the Sunday top, which reminds me of my YCOHO Top Secret bralettes. Additionally, if you’re not sure what size you are, they have loads of user photos with specific measurements on the site, which I found helpful. As per usual, I wear a size medium top and bottom.
PS: They also have some colors on sale right now, including a great orange that’s $120 for the Hi Tide Bottom and Sunday Top together.
Unexpectedly Good Swimsuit: Stylest DreamSculpt Swim Bodysuit ($198)
TBH, I normally don’t pay much attention to swimwear that leads with sculpting marketing. It’s not that I couldn’t benefit from some shaping; I just find the weight of society’s expectations completely exhausting. That said, I kept an open mind for the brand Stylest, which was co-founded by a former Bazaar editor, Joyann King, who is really lovely.
She kindly sent me one of the brand’s most popular styles, the DreamSculpt Swim Bodysuit, and it’s actually pretty remarkable. If you liked the viral Skims sculpting bodysuit (and who didn’t?), you’re going to love this swimsuit style. The compression, especially in the waist, is real, and it took me a few minutes to wriggle into the suit. But once it was on, I felt really snug, secure, sleek, and chic.
If you’ve always loved a classic black maillot, but struggled to find a style that acknowledges—let alone enhances—your waist and curves, this suit’s for you. I wear a medium.
Three Other Options I’m Considering:
Boden Panel Underwire Swimsuit ($125)
Right now it’s 15% off and the brand gets really good reviews from my British colleagues.
Monki x ASOS High Waist Bikini Bottom ($26) and Bandeau Bikini Top ($26)
This Swedish brand is part of the H&M group, and is working toward sustainability and circularity, which I like. I also like the simplicity of this style.
Skims Signature Swim Adjustable Triangle Top ($36) and Mid Waist Bottom ($38)
I’d planned on including something from Skims in today’s story, but my order didn’t arrive in time, so I can’t give you a tried-and-tested review. That said, I find Skims to be well-made, overall, and I love the size diversity. Of all the options, the Signature Swim assortment is my favorite, and I appreciate all of the different mix-and-match pieces. I’ve also got the Micro Scoop Top ($38) en route and the Halter Scoop Bikini ($42) too.
J.Crew’s Spring Sale Event Is Here. This Is What I’m Buying.
Fair warning: There are a lot of polka-dot pieces in my picks. Just saying.
Soleil Pant in Linen (now $79.50)
I bought these in the cream/black polka dot print, and loved them so much I’ve got the utility green ones in my cart. And the black ones too. I have the classic length in a small.
Tropez Short in Black Linen (now $54.50)
Again, I bought the black/beige polka dot print version already, and they’re great. I love how skirt-like the leg is and the waist is super comfortable. I have a small.
Sophia Sleeveless Dress (now $209.50)
It’s giving early ‘90s Chanel and Sofia Richie Grainge in the cutest way possible. I have a size 6 in my cart.
Pleated Chiffon Midi Skirt in Dot (now $149.50)
I bought this before the sale, and like it so much I’m keeping the full-price version. It’s so simple and breezy, and will be perfect for work all summer long. I have a size 4.
Double-Breasted Trench Coat (now $299.50)
I’ve said it before and will say it again: This is an amazing, timeless outerwear option that you simply will not regret buying. I have a size 6, and it’s a little roomy (which I like), so sizing down would be fine too.
Como Woven Straw Tote (now $99.50)
I’m not buying this because I have one from last spring, and it’s perfect. If you don’t have a woven straw tote, the J.Crew styles last for a zillion years. 11/10 recommend.
Vintage Rib Shelf-Bra Tank Top in Stripe (now $19.99)
Immediately add to cart. Immediately. It’s SO CUTE I cannot stand it. And honestly I missed a shelf-bra tank. Get it in utility green too. And maybe black?
Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it, that would mean a lot to me!) All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.
Thanks so much for these recommendations, Hillary. And kudos for the photo, can imagine how scary it was to post, but you look great! I feel your pain on swimwear. My cup size has been increasing over the past few years and it makes swimwear a nightmare. For anyone in the UK I've found some brilliant options at Bravissimo https://www.bravissimo.com/.
You look beautiful in your swimsuit!!