Hide It or Flaunt It: Six “Perfect Coverage” Swimsuits
The weather is warm, it’s almost summer, and swimsuit season is fast approaching. I am NOT comfortable in a swimsuit (my friends can attest to that). However, I LOVE bodies of water and the sun soooo I guess they are a necessary evil! Like most people, there are parts of my body I like better than others. I set out to find some AFFORDABLE swimsuit options that provide extra coverage in an area that you might want to hide, but accentuate other parts of the body.
With regard to sizing, I am typically a size XS/2 in clothing. In number sized swimwear, I always size up to a 4 or 6 because of my torso and bust size (32D/DD). In non-number sized swimwear, I generally purchase a size small. My torso is pretty long, especially for my height of 5’2”. When I sit next to my 5’8”+ best friends we are not that different in height…but when we stand up? Yeahhh.
All of these swimsuits are from Amazon so you can easily purchase and also send back what does not work. I loved being able to try them on at home versus a fitting room that you know has terrible lighting and makes you feel awful. All six options below are under $35, and five are under $30. The prices are approximate because sometimes Amazon charges different prices for different sizes, colors, and styles of the same article of clothing.
Under Bust Coverage
Some women (it’s me, I’m some women…and I know others who have this problem too!) get fat under their bust instead of on their stomach or in a “pooch” area. I’m already not comfortable with my stomach generally, so I don’t wear bikinis very often…but when I do, this is the area that bothers me the most. This two-piece swimsuit is a longline style, with extra fabric below the bust. It features two straps across the back and the shoulder straps are adjustable. It also minimizes and covers the bust versus a traditional low cut bikini top. The bust ruching is super cute and it comes in several different colors. This swimsuit fits true to size, it has UPF 50+ coverage, and it is approximately $28.00 before tax.
Cover But DON’T Squeeze
This tankini comes with a high waist bottom and covers your stomach area, but there is no ruching or other compressive fabric. The polka dot print is SO cute, but don’t worry if dots are not your thing. This swimsuit comes in several different color and pattern combinations. Some of the styles even have looser fitting tops, though the straps on those styles are thinner. This top has thick, supportive straps and a cute ruffle on the bottom. The shoulder straps are not adjustable. I typically dislike high waist bottoms because they create a fat roll on me, but these bottoms are high waisted without being tight. Size up at least one size in this suit. This style/print is approximately $28.00 before tax.
Hold In, But Show Off
This red one piece has figure flattering ruching throughout the bodice. It flattens your stomach and has a deep v-neck that is similar to a triangle top bikini. If you want to smooth your stomach and show off your bust, this is the swimsuit for you! This suit has adjustable straps and fits true to size. It comes in eight different colors/prints (one of them is an American flag! Ha) and is approximately $29.00 before tax. I am wearing a size small in this swimsuit.
Hold In and Cover Up
The one shoulder style is definitely coming BACK this year. I’ve seen it on so many dresses and swimsuits this season. This particular swimsuit is a beautiful pink color, but it comes in a lot of different colors and prints. It has the same flattering ruching as the red swimsuit, but the one shoulder detail minimizes and covers the bust. This is a great swimsuit for chasing after little ones because everything is tucked away! This swimsuit comes in sizes 6-16, so I ordered the 6 since it was the smallest size and it fit perfectly. The 6 felt comparable to a small. This is the only swimsuit over $30, but only by a bit with an approximate price of $33.00 before tax.
Accentuate the Waist, Minimize the Bust
This cross-front swimsuit has a mesh band at the natural waist and a high neckline. This combination accentuates the waist and minimizes the bust. It is very comfortable and flattering and the mesh shoulder straps have a lot of stretch. This swimsuit was slightly too short on my longer torso, but I really like the fit anyway. It is different than anything else I own (and I have a “few” swimsuits). This is available in 5+ colors and is approximately $29.00 before tax. It comes in sizes 4-6 (smallest) to 16. I ordered the 4-6 and the tag on the swimsuit says S/4-6. Like the last swimsuit, it runs pretty true to size for a numbered swimsuit. I think this suit would look good on SO many different body types.
Peekaboo
This swimsuit is so fun and unique. Everything is “covered” for the most part, but the lattice detail on the front and back shows off the bust and exposes the skin on your torso. This swimsuit has adjustable straps and it comes in several different colors. I love the multicolored straps! It would be so fun for a tropical vacation or a cruise. It fits true to size. However, it was pretty stretched on my longer torso. It would fit best on someone with a short/average length torso. The style is very reminiscent of the Lilly Pulitzer lattice one piece swimsuit. However, that swimsuit is $138.00 and this option is approximately $28.00 before tax.
Are there other styles of swimsuits you want me to try?
Katie G.