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Swimsuits for All/Facebook
Swimsuits for All carries sizes 4 through 40, prioritizing often-ignored body shapes and sizes.
3 people from our Insider team tested the brand’s swimsuits and loved the look and fit of them.
For more options, check out our reviews of swimsuits from brands like Everlane and Summersalt.
Shopping for swimsuits can be a stressful, vulnerable, and frustrating experience. It’s doubly so when your favorite store doesn’t carry a cute style in your size, or when all the ones in your size were clearly treated as afterthoughts.
Swimsuits for All has been around since 2005 and continues to push the boundaries of style and size in the women’s swimwear space. The brand makes stylish, size-inclusive women’s swimwear in sizes 4 through 40. Its lineup includes one-pieces, bikinis, swim dresses, tankinis, and cover-ups, and most of its suits cost less than $100. Even for the ones that cost more, you can usually get them at a generous discount during one of the brand’s many online sale events.
Among its many original styles, it has also launched special collections with plus-size body positivity advocates like model Ashley Graham and fashion blogger GabiFresh. We tried a piece from each of these two collaborations, in addition to one of the brand’s original styles. Our testers range from sizes 8 to 20, and share their thoughts on the look, fit, and feel of their suits. Many sunny beach trips later, the verdict is in: the swimsuits look and feel great.
Here are the 3 best Swimsuits for All bikinis and one-pieces you can buy:
Ashley Graham Boss Underwire One Piece Swimsuit
Shirley Cheng/Business Insider
A simple, black one-piece is a wardobe must-have — you can’t go wrong with its timeless look. Insider senior video producer Shirley Cheng likes how this swimsuit is a twist on the classic, black swimsuit because it looks anything but basic thanks to the lattice details. She sized down and found that to be the right move for her.
What’s great about this swimsuit is that you can adjust it to your liking. There’s self-tie halter straps and a hidden underwire bra with removable soft cups. But it also features Power Mesh tummy-control lining and front shirring to keep you feeling secure. Plus, if you’re concerned about how the suit fits on the bottom half, it’s quite literally got you covered with full bottom coverage.
Ashley Graham Boss Underwire One Piece Swimsuit (small) GabiFresh Cup Sized Tie Front Underwire Bikini Set
Hattie Weber/Business Insider
Basic bikinis are versatile mainstays for summertime, but to add a little something extra to your collection, you might want to check out the tie details on this set. The detail appears on both the top and the bottoms, and is fully functional. However, the two separates are still simple enough to mix and match with other suits, as well.
You can get the right fit for you with the adjustable straps and G-hook back closure that has three adjustments. Swimsuit top sizing can be tricky, but this one fits by band and cup size, making your decision much easier. Former Insider Studios associate editor Hattie Weber can vouch for the fit and comfort of this bikini set. She also appreciates the brand’s wide variety of other styles for plus-size bodies.
GabiFresh Cup Sized Tie Front Underwire Bikini Set (small) Diva Halter Bikini Set with Foldover Brief
Jennifer Hernandez/Business Insider
A swimsuit you can customize almost sounds too good to be true. However, the fold over brief in this set does exactly what its name suggests. You can modify the rise of these bottoms by simply folding them up or down, making this a versatile piece that you can pair with other tops.
The top is also adatpable with its self-tie halter straps and double G-hook closure that has two adjustments. Insider senior consumer insights associate Jennifer Hernandez loves wearing the bottoms with a higher rise, although she also likes folding over the top to jazz up the plain briefs. She additionally appreciates how there are separate sizing options for each piece of the set, since one’s top and bottom measurements can vary.
Diva Halter Bikini Set with Foldover Brief (small)
To surf, swim, play, or chase kids around the beach or pool, you need a swimsuit that’ll stay put.
Active swimsuits should hold everything in however you move, not ride up, and survive many washes.
These are six of our favorite brands for active bikinis, one-pieces, rash guards, and more.
There are two approaches to buying a swimsuit: worrying about tan lines and worrying about staying covered. If your main focus is looking good by the pool, check out our guide on the best women’s swimsuits. But if you’re swimming laps, surfing in the ocean, diving for volleyballs, or chasing kids around the beach, you need a bathing suit that will do more than just make you feel good – you need a top and bottom that will stay put and keep everything in.
Luckily, there are more brands than ever making cute, active swimsuits, whether you’re looking for a one-piece, a bikini, or a rashguard.
Best swimsuits for high-movement activities: Carve Designs
The best active swimsuit overall
Athleta
Athleta’s swimwear is comfortable, stylish, and good for both curvey and athletic figures alike.
Size range: XXS-XL for swim suits, XXS-3X for sun shirts
Athleta is known for producing high-quality workout gear that is equal parts functional and stylish, so it’s no surprise its active swimsuits would hit that same sweet spot to look as good as they feel whether you’re swimming, playing beach volleyball, or turning cartwheels on the shore.
The swimsuits range from sexy to functional to high coverage in every design from bikinis to tankinis to one-piece suits to rash guards, so there’s truly something for everyone. While its designs are great for curves, unfortunately, its swimsuits only go up to an XL; however, Athleta is known for running large, so that should fit more like a traditional XXL (small consolation).
Much of the collection is made from sustainable materials like recycled nylon and many of the suits also have UPF sun protection, which protects the fabric and your skin from the sun’s rays.
Athleta’s swimwear is perfect for water sports including swimming, surfing, and paddle-boarding, thanks to the stretchy, breathable fabric that moves with you.
Athleta’s swimwear is priced on the mid-to-high end ($55-75 for a bikini top; $95-120 for a one-piece) but splurging on one well-fitting swimsuit is better than multiple ill-fitting cheaper options.
What to buy:
Colorblock Crop Top (small)Sculpted Bikini Top (small)High Waist Jacquard Bikini Bottom (small)Colorblock One Piece (small)Cross Train One Piece (small) The best eco-friendly active swimsuit
Patagonia
Patagonia’s swimsuits are fair trade certified-sewn from recycled materials, they look great, and they stay in place whether you’re surfing or swimming.
Size range: XXS-XXL
Considering Patagonia is a leading brand for clothing designed to stand up to the elements and movement of the outdoors, it’s no surprise its line of women’s swimwear lives up to its reputation.
The swimsuits range from rash guards and long-sleeved one-pieces to bikinis, tankinis, and board shorts. In our opinion, the brand really excels on cute one-pieces that will stay put. In fact, when a few Insider Reviews editors tried Patagonia’s active swimsuits, they found them to be comfortable, supportive (including for DD cups), and reliable for playing in the surf.
We were all impressed by how comfortable the suits were and how well they stayed in place. Women’s swimsuits are often designed more for style than substance, so Patagonia’s collection stood out as a great choice for women who like to actually move around in the water in their swimsuits.
All the swimsuits are made of recycled nylon or polyester that has UPF sun protection and is non-slip. Patagonia also states that these suits are Fair Trade Certified-sewn, so you know you’re buying eco-friendly, ethical swimwear.
The biggest downsides are that sizing is limited (XS to XL) and the suits are pricey, around $120 to $180. — Malarie Gokey
What to buy:
Women’s Glassy Dawn One-Piece Swimsuit (small)Women’s Reversible Extended Break One-Piece Swimsuit (small)Long-Sleeved Swell Seeker One-Piece (small)Bayou Palmetto (small)Stretch Wavefarer Board Shorts (small) The best luxe active swimsuits
Sweaty Betty
If you want a luxury feel to your sporty beach day, Sweaty Betty’s line of swimwear is very well-designed and flattering.
Size range: XXS-XXL
Sweaty Betty is known for its high-end activewear and applies that same ethos to its swim line. The founder and creative director of SB surfs and paddleboards, and she brings this first-hand knowledge of needing to focus more on movement and less on staying covered into its designs.
The brand truly excels in its well-designed one-pieces which are made with swimming laps in mind. The one-pieces are always surprisingly cute and flattering for the category, with small details like a chest zipper or open back to elevate your basic one-piece without losing the swimming-efficient shape. They usually have chlorine-resistant fabric and are designed for performance with a high neck and supportive straps.
When it comes to its bikinis and rash guards, most pieces have 50+ UV protection as well as quick-drying properties to help avoid chafing.
You’ll definitely pay for the silky, well-fortified fabric, but the higher quality also means the suit will last you many seasons.
What to buy:
Coral Surf Short Wetsuit (small)Medley Swimsuit (small)Harlyn Bikini Top (small)Carve Swimsuit (small)
The best budget swimsuits
Speedo
Score a professional-grade one-piece for swimming laps or a bikini for secure surfing without dropping too much money from .
Size range: XS-XL, 4-42
There’s a reason has been a go-to source for professional swimmers for years. The brand makes high-quality, durable swimwear that offers both support and comfort.
Its classic one-pieces still hold strong with compression in all the right places and a design built for improved performance and faster recovery time. The quick-drying suits feature wide straps for added support and durability, while the smooth and soft fabric is chlorine-resistant.
Speedo also makes very cute and very functional bikinis, albeit only for the small-chested. In general, its suits run small, so the biggest downside is that these suits won’t fit the majority of American women (although Speedo does have a ).
However, if you are smaller and looking for functional, flattering swimsuits that won’t cost you too much, the majority of Speedo’s suits can be nabbed for $28-35 for bikinis, $50-88 for one-pieces, and $48-98 for rash guards.
What to buy:
Solid super pro – prolt (small)Solid Tie Back Top (small)Zip Front Paddle Suit (small)Quantum Fusion Splice (small) The best plus-size active swimsuits
swimsuits for all
Swimsuits for All crafts suits made to move with a wide range of body types — sizes 4 through 40.
Size range: 4-40
Swimsuits for All is one of our favorite swimsuit brands period, but we particularly love how well their bikinis, tankinis, one-pieces, and swim dresses stay put as your chasing after kids on the beach or popping up on a surfboard.
Swimsuits for All also has a ridiculously robust catalog of styles including collaborations with awesome body-positive advocates like Ashley Graham, and really cool offerings like chlorine-resistant lycra bike shorts and swim skirts, in case a traditional suit isn’t your jam.
Five of our editors who wear sizes 8 through 20 tried different styles from the brand and said all the styles fit shockingly well and no one reported any mid-swim malfunctions.
What to buy:
Ashley Graham CEO Lace Up One Piece (small)Halter Ruffle Swimdress (small)Gabrifresh Tie Front Bikini (small) The best for high-movement activities
Carve Designs
Carve Designs was created by surfer girls and makes some of the most flattering cuts and cutest prints available for bikinis that will actually stay on.
Size range: XXS-XL with Tall options
Born out of a surf trip in Mexico, this women-owned business started out selling rash guards and boardshorts for women. As women’s style evolved in surfing to be more accepting of bikinis, the founders shifted their focus to also crafting two pieces that would actually stay put while paddling, popping, and carving — and in designs women would actually want to wear.
A decade-and-a-half later, its line features every kind of bikini cut, including more modest high-neck designs and swim skirts to fully cover your booty if that’s where you gravitate. But what we love about Carve is it also makes cheeky bottoms that make you feel empowered on the beach but won’t slip off when you go underwater.
Also worth noting: The brand also recently launched a recycled swim line with suits made from plastic bottles collected out of the ocean.
The main downside, like many brands on this list, are that the suits don’t fit a huge range of body types or sizes.
What to buy:
Madeline Sunsie Rashguard (small)Barbados Short (small)Melanie Bikini Top (small)Mustique Reversible Bottoms (small, Preferred: Backcountry)
