The trick with swimwear shopping is to stick to well-established criteria. Your priorities, of course, are comfort, support, coverage and price. But while your demure black one-piece might cover those bases, you shouldn’t settle for a costume that does the bare minimum.
Take tummy control swimwear. If you want support in that area, you don’t have to avoid bikinis. Try a high waist pair with a built-in control panel, or a tank top. Ruching is fairly standard these days (as is a tie at the side) and does the trick by tucking everything away. If in doubt, wear something printed to distract.
Having a large cup size – and I’d count anything from DD plus – can feel like a minefield. There are specific brands for bigger sizes (I’ve listed some of the best I’ve found here), but it’s good to focus on support rather than simply more fabric. That means an underwire and proper straps – there’s no point messing about with bits of string.
You could also try underwire if you feel you need a bit of help at the other end of the spectrum. It may sound outdated, but it’s terrific at adding a bit of shape where you don’t have much, and if you spend half your day bent over sandcastles with your kids.
If you struggle to find your size, there are plenty of “one size fits all” brands – often with crinkly fabrics that do exactly that. But otherwise, it’s about looking for a brand that runs bigger sizes in its standard line. Marks & Spencer, for example, goes up to a 24.
And finally, if you want a swimsuit for swimming, go for a specialist brand. And do try it on so you get a sense of coverage – you don’t want anything popping out in the family pool.
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The best swimsuits and bikinis for swimming
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Patagonia orange swimsuit
£130 at PatagoniaVarley zip-front swimsuit
£114 at VarleyBatoko dinosaur swimsuit
£60 at BatokoPoetry floral swimsuit
£189 at PoetryPuma x Modibodi bikini top
£33.99 at ModibodiBottoms
£33.99 at ModibodiFinisterre recycled bikini top
£55 at FinisterreBottoms
£45 at FinsterreSweaty Betty geometric bikini top
£40 at Sweaty Betty £40 at M&SBottoms
£35 at Sweaty Betty £35 at M&SRapanui recycled bikini top
£30 at RapanuiBottoms
£35 at Rapanui***
The best swimwear for bigger busts
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John Lewis adjustable swimsuit
£45 at John LewisBoux Avenue plunge bikini top
£38 at Boux Avenue £38 at M&SBottoms
£24 at Boux Avenue £24 at M&SHeidi Klein halterneck bikini set
£245 at Heidi KleinPour Moi non-padded underwired bikini top
£34 at Pour Moi £34 at NextBottoms
£22 at Pour Moi £22 at NextFantasie v-neck swimsuit
From £75.80 at Amazon £94 at FantasieMonday Swimwear crinkle bikini top
£100 at Monday SwimwearBottoms
£82 at Monday SwimwearBravissimo tummy control swimsuit
£72 at Bravissimo***
The most size-inclusive swimwear
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New Look striped bikini top
£12.74 at New LookBottoms
£11.24 at New LookM&S textured swimsuit
£40 at M&SNext tummy control swimsuit
£29 at NextHunza G scoop-neck swimsuit
£185 at Selfridges £185 at Hunza GTona underwire bikini top
£85 at TonaBottoms
£50 at TonaJunk LDN cherub print bikini top
£60 at Junk LDNBottoms
£50 at Junk LDNLucy & Yak tankini top
£27 at Lucy & YakBottoms
£27 at Lucy & YakTu frill detail swimsuit
£18 at Tu at Sainsbury’s***
The best underwired bikinis and swimsuits
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Boden printed swimsuit
£89 at Next £89 at Boden& Other Stories underwire bikini top
£37 at & Other StoriesBottoms
£27 at & Other StoriesTala underwire swimsuit
£69 at TalaArket balconette bikini top
£29 at ArketBottoms
£22 at ArketCalzedonia ribbed swimsuit
£62 at Asos £59 at CalzedoniaNext tummy control swimsuit
£46 at NextBond-eye green shirred bikini top
£135 at Bond-eyeBottoms
£70 at Bond-eyeAbercrombie wide-strap bikini top
£49 at Abercrombie & FitchBottoms
£35 at Abercrombie & Fitch***
The most flattering swimwear
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Seaspray bandeau swimsuit
£94 at Next £94 at John LewisBoden halterneck bikini top
£49 at John Lewis £49 at BodenBottoms
£49 at John Lewis £49 at BodenMonsoon bandeau bikini top
£28 at John Lewis £24 at MonsoonBottoms
£24.50 at John Lewis £21 at MonsoonJoules ruched swimsuit
£49 at Joules £49 at M&SWhite Stuff tummy control swimsuit
£39.20 at White Stuff £39.20 at John LewisPhase Eight halterneck ruched bikini top
£39 at Phase EightBottoms
£29 at Phase EightSeafolly high-leg swimsuit
£95 at SelfridgesBonprix ruched bikini top
From £15 at FreemansBottoms
From £17 at Freemans***
The best men’s swim shorts
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Next palm print swim shorts
£20 at NextOrlebar Brown zipped shorts
£225 at Orlebar BrownH&M embroidered swim shorts
£22.99 at H&MReiss tangerine swim shorts
£68 at Next £68 at ReissMr Marvis red shorts
£89 at Mr MarvisZara tie-waist shorts
£29.99 at ZaraGant teal striped shorts
£70 at Next £70 at GantM&S quick dry swim shorts
£20 at M&SModels AJ and Inaara at Milk; Connie at the Hive. Styling assistant Charlotte Gornall. Hair Alez Szabo at Carol Hayes Management. Makeup Sophie Higginson using Kama Ayurveda and Victoria Beckham Beauty. Makeup and nails assistant Sha Li.
For more, read the best summer wardrobe updates for women and the best summer wardrobe updates for men
