Where to find the best plus size swimwear, from supportive one-pieces to resort-ready bikinis

Size range: XS - 5X

Plus size people design the best plus size swimwear. Take Taylor Long of Nomads Swimwear for example — with a background as a plus size model and designer, Long combines her professional, technical, and personal experience to create a size-inclusive swimwear brand that focuses on sustainability, luxe designs, and timeless styles. 

Nomads' core collection consists of one-shoulder tops, mesh-panel inserts, and cut-out one-pieces that come in new patterns and textures each season. Each style fits true to size, offering a snug feel that keeps everything secure and supported without leaving lines. I appreciate that the brand is unafraid of re-adjusting their size scheme as they receive customer reviews and feedback.

What to buy:

Size range: XS-4X

You can't scroll through social media without seeing an ad for TA3 featuring that iconic "cinch" moment. Shapewear in swimsuits can seem unnecessary, especially since most swimwear is already made from compressive materials like nylon and Spandex. However, TA3 makes a point of smoothly "snatching" the waist and naturally accentuating curves with a drawstring mechanism and underwire support for a more lifted look. It's what makes it one of the best swimsuits for large busts our team has tested.

As a forever skeptic of shapewear, I didn't expect the TA3 "Lifty" to fit over my thighs, let alone my wide-set stomach. But after a lot of jumping, rolling on my bed, and self-pep talks, I managed to pull it on. Once I took some deep breaths and the material relaxed, I had a temporary snatched figure with my boobs pushed up so high, I could have joined the cast of Baywatch. When I'm not wearing it to swim, I like to wear it as a bodysuit with jeans.

Read more in our full TA3 swimsuit review.

What to buy:

Size range: 14 - 32

Yesenia Torres is the Vice President of Design and Creative Director for ELOQUII and CUUP. She debuts a new collection each season in order to keep up with trends and render plus size fashion clichés obsolete (looking at you, cold-shoulder and peplum tops). Changes within the Full Beauty company have resulted in frequent sale events, meaning more affordable, luxe designs.

ELOQUII has become my favorite place to shop for the best plus size swimwear (and plus size clothing in general) for its constant sales and style varieties. This season, you'll find a lot of rounded tops with delicate cut-outs that accentuate busts of all sizes. Some swim tops are so chic and supportive that you can wear them as a top without anyone being the wiser.

What to buy:

Size range: XS - 6X

Olga Philips launched Alpine Butterfly Swim in 2017 after not being able to find cute plus size bathing suits for her niece. This is the Gen Z lovechild of whatever SKIMS was trying to do for plus size people, with an appeal to pin-up girls who like frills, sparkles, and skin exposure.

The fun patterns and styles are one thing, but the extra wide fabric that covers large breasts and bums is what makes this a great "fatkini" choice. Be mindful of their unique sizing that skews slightly larger than most swimwear brands (meaning you may want to size down for a tight fit or pick your usual swim size for a loose fit).

I've not yet tried their string bikinis, but I have some bikini tops and bottoms from a now sold-out collection that made me a believer in "every body is a bikini body." Each collection is made-to-order with limited quantities of fabric to eliminate waste and follow zero-waste manufacturing practices.

What to buy:

Size range: 4 - 34

As its namesake suggests, this brand has swimwear for everyone. Swimsuits For All is a warehouse of every type of swimwear you can think of, from swim dresses to high-waisted bikinis. It has a large catalog of affordable options and readily available stock, taking into consideration fat bodies beyond 4XL (something rarely seen in most legacy plus size swimwear brands).

My biggest issue with this brand has always been the matronly styles that cover, rather than accentuate, the fat body. Thankfully, it's been moving towards more trendy patterns and flattering designs. You won't find anything stringy here, but Swimsuits For All excels in their line of sensible styles that offer extra support and full coverage.

Read about our favorite styles we've tested in our full Swimsuits For All review.

What to buy:

Size range: 00-0 (4XS) - 38-40 (4XL)

In 2023, Universal Standard answered the many pleas of their fat customers (mainly me) and blessed us with swimwear collection that took seven years to perfect. In a 2023 Fast Company interview, Chief Design Officer of Universal Standard Ramon Martin describes an extensive customer focus group that helped illuminate the specific issues related to plus size swimwear. I tried "The Swimsuit" upon its debut and it became my favorite piece from the launch. I kept wearing it around the house because I loved the look and comfortable stretch.

Universal Standard's swim collection features medium-coverage swimwear in the brand's core color collection of jeweled tones and relaxed geometric patterns. Their luxury price tag is well worth the price for a four-way stretch swimsuit that's built to last, even as your body changes.

What to buy:

Size range: XS - 6X

Kitty and Vibe know exactly what they're doing in the design department while remaining eco-friendly and size inclusive. This is the best plus size swimwear brand if you're into fun and vibrant patterns. They achieve this with a revolving door of guest creative designers such as singer Hayley Kiyoko and comic Nicole Byer.

You'll find a dedicated roster of core swim designs in many different patterns and colors, like the fruity Paloma or Capri prints. These include tops with wide straps and bottoms with medium coverage. I was pleasantly surprised at the fit and comfort of the adjustable straps that kept the fabric from digging into my skin. They also have plus sized swimsuits for long torsos.

What to buy:

Size range: Varies by brand

Okay, bear with me for a moment because this is more about shopping smarter than recommending specific brands (except for those listed). I often steer clear of Amazon, especially for plus size clothing, because it's often a gamble on quality, fit, and design.

Start by typing in "plus size swimwear," then refine your search with specific patterns, colors, or cuts. Avoid brands without size guides, or ones that only use straight size models in their images. Make sure the brand allows for returns or exchanges, and always read a few reviews.

Consider the following brands and storefronts recommended by this fat fashion writer and other plus size influencers like Loey Lane and Sierra Holmes: WDIRARA, Daci, and SOLY HUX. I actually bought the SOLY HUX Allover Print Halter High Waisted Bikini Set after Lane recommended it to me last year, and I love the flirty bright pattern that makes me feel like the fat Barbie the world deserves. I was impressed by the snug (not constricting) fit that had a lot of stretch to fit bodies that carry fat in different places.

All this to say, I still recommend shopping for affordable plus size swimwear on Amazon for those who don't want to splurge on a one-piece or two-piece separates (because they're almost always sold separately).

What to buy:

Size range: XXS - 3X (or 14 - 24)

Over the years, Target has set out to be a marketplace of diverse and size-inclusive brands, and they have not disappointed. Both online and at some in-store locations, you can find designer collaborations such as Diane von Furstenberg (now sold out, sorry!) as well as Target's in-house brands like Kona Sol and Wild Fable.

The biggest upside to shopping for plus size swimwear at Target is that it's affordable without compromising quality, comfort, and style. I have a pair of black swim briefs that I picked up from Target when I realized my one-piece was too small and my swim top was missing bottoms. It was the mere fact that I was able to find something cute and easy to match that made the Wild Fable Mid-Rise High Leg Extra Cheeky Bikini Bottom an instant favorite of mine.

What to buy:

Size range: XS - XXXXL+

Leakproof swimwear is worth the try for avid swimmers who also have periods. Each of their swim designs is crafted to provide some level of leak control, allowing you to lounge comfortably poolside during vacation without sacrificing the style you deserve. Their designs are straightforward, focusing on modest coverage and the brand's simple athleisure aesthetic. 

As I'm at the end of their size range, I tried Knix swimwear to see how big their "XXXXL+" sizing could fit. I'm usually a 4XL and was able to easily wear the Classic One Piece Swimsuit and feel sexy in it, too.

Candidly, this brand could benefit from expanding its plus size offerings specific to swim tops. Their size guide is confusing for those over a 44-46 bra band size, and while some smaller cups may find their fit, the tops aren't well-suited for large busts. However, I still recommend it as one of the best plus size swimwear brands for its one-pieces and bottoms that offer a lot of stretch and genuine leak-proof coverage.

What to buy:

Size range: 4 - 30/32, or XS - 5X

Gabi Gregg has been working towards her swimwear brand since she launched one of her first "fatkini" collections with Swimsuits for All in 2013. She's since collaborated with brands like ELOQUII and Fashion to Figure to bring trend-forward designs and better size practices to their swimwear lines. Now, she's once again adding brand founder (R.I.P. Premme) to her portfolio with this vacation-inspired, size-inclusive swimwear brand. What I love the most about Villa Fresca is the fresh designs, jewel-toned color palette, and dutiful dedication to sizing, with top sizing specific to bust and underbust measurements (something I rarely see in swimwear). 

I began following the brand's journey on Instagram when Gregg first announced Villa Fresca in early 2024, and it's her dedication to customer engagement and community that makes it a standout plus size swim brand. Its most current designs each feature some form of cut-out or draping method that shows off the body, made with a nylon-Spandex blend material for a durable stretch that retains it shape. Villa Fresca is the swim brand for you if you're after luxury resortwear-inspired designs. 

What to buy:

When searching for the perfect plus size swimsuit, there are a few things to keep in mind: the material composition, the brand, and your personal comfort level. Typically, swimwear is made from a blend of nylon, Spandex, and polyester to provide the necessary stretch and absorbency for swimming.

Not all brands that offer plus size swimsuits design specifically for plus size bodies, which can result in an uncomfortable and ill-fitting garment. It's important to be intentional about the brands you purchase from, especially as a fat person, as some designers and retailers don't take into account body fat, belly rolls, side boob, or large bottoms.

Plus size influencer and designer Gabi Gregg stresses the importance of quality and fit in plus size swimwear. "Something might be cute, but the fabrication isn't nice, or it isn't made well," she tells Business Insider. "As someone with a larger bust, designing pieces that are actually supportive is always at the forefront of my mind. If I can't personally wear it, I don't want to sell it." In short, when plus size people design for plus size people, you get a swimsuit that fits correctly and looks great.

When it comes to selecting a plus size bikini, coverage is an important factor. "The truth is that the plus size customer is not a monolith – not everyone wants the same thing," says Gregg. "Some people prefer more coverage, while others want something skimpier," she continues. Thankfully, there's a slow increase in brands catering to plus size fashion, so there are more options than ever before.

• Gabi Gregg (she/her): Creative Director, Founder of Villa Fresca
• Sierra Holmes (she/her): Lifestyle and Plus Size Fashion Influencer
• Loey Lane (she/her & they/them), Body Positivity Influencer