Summersalt swimwear review 2024, tested and reviewed by style editors

We asked five women to review Summersalt's Insta-famous swimsuits, and it's now our favorite size-inclusive bathing suit brand

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In the months leading up to summer, many different emotions arise when shopping for swimsuits. There's excitement for the fun, carefree times ahead, but equal parts trepidation and frustration because navigating the market for the best swimsuits for women is just so unnecessarily tricky. Shopping swim brands often means choosing between comfort, trendiness, or a fair price — rarely can you find all three in one spot. But you'll see in our Summersalt reviews that it can be done. 

In May 2017, the online swimsuit brand entered the arena and garnered mass attention on Instagram. Summersalt was founded by swimwear and direct-to-consumer veterans Lori Coulter and Reshma Chattaram Chamberlin, makes one-pieces and bikinis that look and feel good, using quality materials that don't translate into exorbitant prices.

Most of the one-pieces and bikini sets cost about $95 and come in a variety of styles, such as jewel-toned, color-blocked statement pieces or their classic lifeguard suits. We found in our Summersalt reviews that what brings all the suits together are clean lines and familiar silhouettes, made unique with just the right twist.  

The Sidestroke

The Sidestroke swimsuit put Summersalt on the map and I've wanted to try it out for quite some time. But, as much as I liked the bold color options, they just weren't really my style. I was so excited to see that it now comes in all black.

When I first pulled the suit out of the package, I thought it was going to be way too small. While it was a little snug to pull on, it actually turned out to be the perfect fit. Most of Summersalt's suits start at a size 2, but this particular style has the option of a size 0. I took a chance by going with the 0 and it worked great for my 5-foot-two frame. 

I can't wait to wear it on my next vacation, but as a side note, it's probably best to wear it on a not-so-sunny day to avoid the one-shoulder tan lines. The one drawback about this suit is that it doesn't have any built-in cups so there is zero support. But, I like the suit enough that I may try and have some sewn in by a tailor. —Ashley Phillips, style & beauty editor

My main consideration when buying a swimsuit is whether or not it has enough support to handle my chest. I have a DD cup size, so it can be a pretty significant challenge. In a bold move, I tried the one-shoulder Sidestroke suit in White Sand — which was risky for two obvious reasons. I have to say, I'm incredibly happy with how supportive the suit ended up being. There was no issue with lopsidedness or sagging, and the diagonal seaming on the front was super flattering. 

The white color isn't see-through when wet, either. There's an extra lining over the chest for added assurance, and the backside was totally fine.

And just to tip the scale a little more, the suits are made from recycled materials and they're affordable — so you'll be doing both your wallet and the environment a favor. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor

The Sidestroke is one of Summersalt's most popular styles, and now I can see why. I love the one-shoulder look, and I possibly love the back cutout even more. Whether you go for one of the solid, neutral color options or bright color-blocked options, the suit is flattering because the eye follows the line of the diagonal stripes, which parallel the one-shoulder strap and complement your curves. Worth noting after many a memory of struggling to wriggle in and out of a wet swimsuit, it was easy to put on and take off and very comfortable. 

Like Sally, I was hesitant about the color. I usually stray away from white swimsuits because they don't always provide reliable opaqueness. However, I didn't feel self-conscious at all because the fabric was thick enough. White is a bold choice, but you can trust it's the right choice once you see how cute yet secure this style is. — Connie Chen, senior reporter

The Perfect Wrap One-Piece

Summersalt had exactly what I was looking for: cute, size-inclusive, full-coverage swimsuits that don't look like they belong in my grandma's closet. You can tell Summersalt really cares about high-quality fabric construction. The first thing I do with a new suit is toss out the padded breast cups, but Summersalt actually sews theirs into place so there's no worrying about them sliding around or folding.

I loved wearing it to the beach because I didn't need an extra top for exploring the boardwalk or going into a restaurant. I wore it with a skirt and it looked like a regular top. It wins in the tummy support department, too. The wrap detail adds fun while accentuating my waist to create an hourglass shape.

I readjusted my top throughout the day because the fabric flattened my chest rather than lift and support. When you have a large chest, like I do, the constant flattening can make your underboob sweat almost unbearable. As a plus-sized woman with a large chest, I take "Boob Support" very seriously and Summersalt doesn't quite check that box. —MoMo Lamping, culture & employee experience manager

The Plunge Bikini Top and The High Leg Mid Rise Bikini Bottom

If you're shopping for a two-piece bikini that hugs you in all the right places, look no further. To my awe, the thin material clung to my skin, offering light-to-medium compression. The mid-rise fit was the perfect compromise of secure bottom coverage without the weird tan lines you'd get from a true hi-rise suit. I love a good plunge top and this definitely satisfied in the support department. The inner padding looked a bit funny, but once I put it on, it lifted like a dream.

I wore my suit on a beach trip and loved how confident I felt. However, I'd say I probably wouldn't go for all-day wear because the straps tended to wear down on my shoulders and the bottoms dug in slightly. —Jacqueline Saguin, style & beauty reviews fellow

The Tie Backflip

I'm usually drawn to black suits, but I really liked the selection that Summersalt had for one-piece swimsuits that looked flattering and colorful.

I loved the colors and material of the bathing suit; it looks and feels well-made. A major plus for me was the sewn-in boob pads; I usually can't stand them floating around in suit tops. Everything looked great, but the shoulder straps kept flipping and didn't fit quite right. I have a wide ribcage and back, so I may just need to size up. I still wore the swimsuit to a pool party where I received multiple compliments and it stayed put really well despite the flipping straps.

This suit is on par with my go-to's. I have an Everlane and an Andie suit that fit a bit better, but this suit has a flair that those others don't.

What Summersalt swimsuits are made of

Swimsuits are for lounging, but they're also for a host of other summer activities. Summersalt suits can keep up with all your physical activities plus the sweat, oil, chlorine, sunscreen, and debris that come with them. These suits are made from premium recycled materials, making them more technical, softer, and more durable than traditional fabrics.

As long as you're out in the sun, the premium recycled materials offer UPF protection of 50+, meaning they'll block more than 98% of UV rays (just as SPF is used to measure sunscreen effectiveness, UPF is a measure of sun-protective fabric effectiveness). 

How does Summersalt fit?

Summersalt reviewed 1.5 million body measurements from 10,000 women, which we gathered has much to do with the spot-on fit. They also employed a patented "TrueMeasure" process, which uses 3D body scanning, mass customization, and computer-aided design to make its suits and direct its supply chain. 

They also stand up to the perils of harsh, chlorinated water. Having swam in her city league and high school swim teams, former senior reporter Connie Chen has gone through her fair share of swimsuits that lost their shape and compression after hours of continuous use. Summersalt's have four times the compression of the average swimsuit, and still, retain their shape after more than 100 hours of use in chlorinated water. 

The site makes it easy to find your desired fit, categorizing pieces by "Great Boob Support" and "More Butt Coverage." Whether you're searching for the best swimsuits for DD cups or a one piece for your long torso,  the filters exist to make sure you feel secure. In our Summersalt reviews, the team found that this attention to detail paid off. 

The bottom line

With their durable fit and sleek designs, Summersalt's suits succeed in meeting the crossover of confidence and comfort. They're durable and practical, so you'll be getting your money's worth season after season. Whether you're looking for a sporty bikini or sexy plunge one-piece, our Summersalt reviews concur that these designer swimsuits won't disappoint.