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Our passports are renewed and ready for travel, the seaside Airbnb of our Pinterest dreams is booked and our suitcases are packed with the perfect beach reads. There’s just one summer holiday essential in need of a serious refresh: our swim drawer, which has been gathering dust for much of the year.
If you too are due for a new one-piece or bikini, we’re here to help sail you through the ocean of choice out there, from skimpy string bikinis to sturdy, sea-worthy swimsuits. Not to mention all the cuts, colours, materials, compression choices, trending styles and textures floating about.
To save you a summer of confusion, we’ve done our own deep dive (last water pun, we promise) into the very best swim brands out there. We’ve considered affordability, sustainability and size inclusivity to bring you 29 choices for every budget and body type. Happy swimming!
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by us. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, we may earn a commission.
Lounge
Price range: £20 – £55
Size range: XS – 3XL
Best for: Simple shapes and neutral shades
Lounge has long been on our list as a go-to for beautiful fuss-free swimwear and this season is no exception. Stocking both bikinis and one-pieces, the brand’s timeless shapes and neutral tones are some of our favourite finds. Bold patterns are also available, but for anyone determined never to let go of their neutral style, it’s the creams, blacks and khaki that are sure to catch your eye.
Lounge Essential Bikini Top, $, available at Lounge
Lounge Underwear Essential Bikini Briefs Black, $, available at Lounge UnderwearPhoto Courtesy of SKIMS SWIM
SKIMS SWIM
Price range: £36 – £94
Size range: XXS – 4X
Best for: Size inclusivity, modest styles
After triumphing with shapewear, loungewear, lingerie and sleepwear, it was only natural that Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS would take on swimwear. With pieces made to mix and match, available in an ever-growing colour palette, the core collection of simple shapes has expanded this season to include more trend-led designs. Alongside your standard one-pieces (simple, sporty silhouettes and cool cutouts) and bikinis, there are options for more coverage and modest dressers like a swim cycle suit, long-sleeved swim tops, swim shorts, a swim skirt and a swim sarong. With prices ranging from £36 to £94, this is definitely not the cheapest option on our list but reviewers rave about the quality of each piece.
Skims Swim T-Shirt, $, available at Skims
Skims Swim Cheeky Tanga Bottoms, $, available at SkimsPhoto Courtesy of SKIMS SWIM
Hunza G
Price range: £80 – £195
Size range: 6 – 16
Best for: Minimal styles, flattering fits
Claiming that ‘one size fits all’ — or at least a UK 6 to 16 — Hunza G’s signature, stretchy, crinkle fabric is iconic. Its designs are minimal (if only to highlight the texture) but each one is made to be incredibly flattering — think high-leg, square-neck one-pieces; one-shoulder, asymmetric necklines; delicate tortoiseshell ring details and twist-front bikinis. Our favourite? The Tank Dress, £185, which works beachside and at the bar.
Hunza G Coco Bikini, $, available at Hunza GPhoto Courtesy of Hunza G
ASOS DESIGN Swimwear
Price range: £10 – £60
Size range: 2 – 30
Best for: Shopping on a budget, size inclusivity, mix and match styles
For the sheer amount of style and size choice, you just can’t beat ASOS DESIGN’s swimwear selection. Sweetening the deal? ASOS Premier next-day delivery — a lifesaver for last-minute holiday prep.
ASOS DESIGN Curve Mix & Match Step Front Underwired Bikini Top, $, available at ASOS
ASOS DESIGN Curve Mix & Match High Waist Bikini Bottom, $, available at ASOSPhoto Courtesy of ASOS
Kitty and Vibe
Price range: £42 – £90
Size range: XS – 5XL
Best for: Fun patterns, size inclusivity
Kitty and Vibe’s designs are fun with a capital F. Think bikinis, one-pieces and swim dresses in groovy marble patterns, ditsy florals, hand-drawn illustrations and summer-ready fruit prints, all in an inclusive size range.
Kitty and Vibe Play Dress, $, available at Kitty and VibePhoto Courtesy of Kitty and Vibe
Fruity Booty
Price range: £55 – £80
Size range: XS – XL
Best for: Trending styles, cool prints, consciously made
London-based brand Fruity Booty creates some of the coolest swimwear out there. The current lineup is a riot of colour and pattern, with cool marble prints, candy-coloured gingham and embroidered cherry motifs. Like the look of its bikinis? Why not grab a matching swim skirt or swim shorts? While the brand doesn’t claim to be fully sustainable, they create consciously. Over 80% of its products utilise surplus fabrics and materials sourced in the UK which would otherwise end up in landfill, and products are made in limited quantities to reduce waste.
Fruity Booty The Pamela Bikini, $, available at Fruity BootyPhoto Courtesy of Fruity Booty
Frankies Bikinis
Price range: £74 – £225
Size range: XS – XL
Best for: Interesting cuts, trend-led designs
A longstanding cult favourite in the swimwear world, Frankies Bikinis has been topping bestseller lists ever since Cassie wore the Gemma Wrap One Piece Swimsuit in that Euphoria scene. Head here if you’re after a slice of California cool, bright colours, bold patterns and Y2K-inspired designs.
Frankies Bikinis x Pamela Anderson Pacific Cheeky One Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Frankies BikinisPhoto Courtesy of Frankies Bikinis
Cantik
Price range: £44.83 – £84.56
Size range: XS – XL
Best for: Minimal designs, neutral colours, designs that give back
Cantik is our go-to for beautifully made, minimalistic designs. Even better, this Australian brand works with Our Trace to ensure that it is carbon neutral and also donates $1 AUD from every purchase to either of three causes: Greening Australia and ADARA Development in anti-trafficking and support of Syrian refugees. Just be sure to double-check shipping costs as this one’s coming from Australia.
Cantik Swimwear Take Me Back – Shitake – One Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Cantik SwimwearPhoto Courtesy of Cantik
Solid & Striped
Price range: £83 – £280
Size range: XS – XL
Best for: Trending styles
Looking for cool cutouts, asymmetric cuts, vibrant colours, bold patterns and unique designs like crochet, half-and-half, or corset one-pieces? Let us introduce you to Solid & Striped. You can even find cool rash vests such as this one if you want to be even more savvy about sun protection.
Solid & Striped The Nola Rash Guard, $, available at Solid & StripedPhoto Courtesy of Solid & Striped
Faithfull The Brand
Price range: £69 – £154
Size range: 6 – 18
Best for: Vintage-inspired prints, consciously made
Just like its stunning sundresses and co-ords, Faithfull The Brand’s swimwear is romantic, feminine and bohemian, paying extra attention to things like tie details, ruching, drawstrings, underwiring and bandeau ties to hug and highlight your curves. Playful, retro-inspired patterns like paisley and graphic ’60s florals add to the Old Hollywood vibe. Based in Bali, each Faithfull piece is hand-dyed, printed and made by local artisans with a huge focus on community-building and sustainable processes.
Faithfull the Brand Flora Floral-Print Stretch-ECONYL Bikini, $, available at Net-A-PorterPhoto Courtesy of Faithfull The Brand
BAMBA Swim
Price range: £50 – £150
Size range: S – L
Best for: Vibrant colours, retro-inspired designs
Australian brand BAMBA is all about ’80s-inspired designs, bombshell cuts (high-rise legs, bum-baring bottoms and plunging necklines) and vibrant, tropical colours. Unfortunately, its size range is limited, currently stretching from small (UK 6 – 8) to large (UK 12).
Bamba Swim Mona Bra – Citrus, $, available at Bamba Swim
Bamba Swim Jagger Bottoms – Citrus, $, available at Bamba SwimPhoto Courtesy of BAMBA Swim
Everlane
Price range: £37 – £75
Size range: XXS – XXL
Best for: Timeless and sporty designs, quality, consciously made
Everlane has long been one of our wardrobe staples for its quality and timeless designs, and the same is true of its swimwear: sporty, simple one-pieces and bikinis that fit like a glove. In line with the brand’s sustainable ethos, each suit in its swim collection is made with 82% ECONYL® yarn, a 100% regenerated nylon fibre made from nylon waste such as fishing nets, fabric scraps, carpet flooring and industrial plastic.
Everlane The Square-Neck One-Piece, $, available at EverlanePhoto Courtesy of Everlane
H&M
Price range: £5.99 – £65
Size range: S – 4XL or 4 – 26
Best for: Shopping on a budget, mix and match styles
When we say H&M Swim is affordable, we mean it: just look at that price range, starting as low as £5.99 and hitting £65 at the top end! H&M pieces may not last as long as many of the others on this list but they’re a perfect quick fix — especially if you’re looking to mix and match your bikini styles. String-tie top and high-waist bottoms? No problem.
H&M High-leg Swimsuit, $, available at H&MPhoto Courtesy of H&M
Free People
Price range: £38 – £428
Size range: XS – XXL
Best for: Unique designs
Calling all boho babes! Dress like the surfer you’ve always been destined to become in one of Free People’s super cool wetsuits. Prefer catching rays to catching a wave? No sweat — the brand also stocks stunning, boho-inspired swimsuits and bikinis for soaking up the sun.
free-est Michelle Printed Bikini Top, $, available at Free People
free-est Michelle Printed Bikini Bottoms, $, available at Free PeoplePhoto Courtesy of Free People
& Other Stories
Price range: £17 – £55
Size range: XS – L or 6 – 18
Best for: Shopping on a budget
Head to & Other Stories for all the sweet, feminine details you expect from its clothing: bow ties, frills, sweetheart necklines, cute buttons and embroidered patterns.
& Other Stories Frilled Triangle Bikini Top, $, available at & Other Stories
& Other Stories High Waist Bikini Briefs, $, available at & Other StoriesPhoto Courtesy of & Other Stories
Summersalt
Price range: £55 – £165
Size range: XS – 2X
Best for: Size inclusivity
Summersalt has long been a favourite for inclusive swimwear, especially its sporty and streamlined one-pieces.
Summersalt The Split Backflip, $, available at SummersaltPhoto Courtesy of Summersalt
Marks & Spencer
Price range: £9.50 – £86
Size range: XS – XXL or by cup size
Best for: Supportive designs, more modest pieces, shopping on a budget
Looking for a flattering cut, extra support for your boobs or a particular fit like sculpting suits and high-waist bikini bottoms? Head to Marks & Spencer Swim.
M&S Collection Textured Tie Shoulder Swimsuit, $, available at M&SPhoto Courtesy of Marks & Spencer
Boden
Price range: £30 – £90
Size range: 6 – 22
Best for: More modest designs
Boden’s swimwear selection is ideal for anyone looking for a little more coverage, from swim shorts and matching rash guards to swimsuits and bikinis with thicker straps (for those who don’t trust a string tie).
Boden Levanzo Halter Bikini Top, $, available at Boden
Boden Classic Bikini Bottoms, $, available at BodenPhoto Courtesy of Boden
Pour Moi
Price range: £16 – £52
Size range: By cup size
Best for: Shopping on a budget, size inclusivity, supportive designs
Pour Moi designs to sculpt, support and comfort so you can feel extra confident on the beach.
Pour Moi India Recycled Longline Underwired Halter Top, $, available at Pour Moi
Pour Moi India Recycled High Waist High Leg Brief – Turquoise, $, available at Pour MoiPhoto Courtesy of Pour Moi
Cover
Price range: £66 – £192
Size range: XS – XL
Best for: Sleeved swimwear, sun-protective swimwear
Looking for some more coverage? Cover is our favourite for sleeved swimwear and sun-protective swimwear that blocks 98% of UV rays.
Cover Long-Sleeved Front Zip Swimsuit, $, available at CoverPhoto Courtesy of Cover Swim
ARKET
Price range: £17 – £55
Size range: XS – L
Best for: Minimal designs, shopping on a budget
All the season’s biggest trends are here: colour block brights, crinkle fabrics, square necks and high legs. ARKET Swim is a minimalist’s dream. The brand is also endeavouring to use more recycled materials, like recycled polyamide from waste PET plastic and recycled polyester yarn.
Arket Glittery Swimsuit, $, available at ArketPhoto Courtesy of ARKET
Nomads Swimwear
Price range: £49 – £118
Size range: XS – 5X
Best for: Size inclusivity, unique designs
Founded by designer and plus-size model Taylor Long, Nomads Swim is all about offering a wide range of size-inclusive styles. A highlight is the stunning Bay bikini, which features an asymmetric one-shoulder top and mesh panels.
Nomads Swimwear Bay Top, $, available at Nomads Swimwear
Nomads Swimwear Bay Bottom, $, available at Nomads SwimwearPhoto Courtesy of Nomads Swimwear
Swimsuits For All
Price range: £28 – £175
Size range: 4 – 40
Best for: Size inclusivity, brand collaborations
Swimsuits For All (which you can shop via OneStopPlus in the UK) has long been a destination for plus-size people for fashionable, flattering suits. Over time it’s also become a go-to for collaborations with notable plus-size models and influencers like Ashley Graham and Gabi Fresh.
Swimsuits For All Shimmer Double Ring One Piece, $, available at One Stop PlusPhoto Courtesy of Swimsuits for All
PacSun
Price range: £19.68 – £85.79
Size range: XXS – XXL
Best for: Trending styles, mix and match, shopping on a budget
PacSun is our go-to for colourful, trending bikinis that you can easily mix and match.
Kendall & Kylie Blue Butterfly Cutout One Piece Swimsuit, $, available at PacSunPhoto Courtesy of Pacsun
Andie
Price range: £27 – £85
Size range: XS – 5XL
Best for: Shopping on a budget, size inclusivity
Andie Swim is all about luxury swimwear at an affordable price. Our shopping writer Chichi fell hard for the brand’s bestselling Amalfi swimsuit, which comes in sizes XS-3XL (and up to 5XL in the Eco-Barberry).
Andie Swim The Amalfi – Eco Nylon, $, available at Andie SwimPhoto Courtesy of Andie
Torrid
Price range: £24 – £93
Size range: M – 6X
Best for: Size inclusivity
Plus-size retailer Torrid knows a thing or two about fit and support for various body sizes and types, and its swimwear is no exception.
Torrid Crochet High Neck Swim Top, $, available at Torrid
Torrid Crochet High Waist Swim Bottom, $, available at TorridPhoto Courtesy of Torried
Girlfriend Collective
Price range: £36 – £77
Size range: XXS – 6XL
Best for: Size inclusivity, mix and match styles, consciously made
You go for the size-inclusive activewear, you stay for the size-inclusive swimwear. In keeping with the brand’s ongoing sustainability mission, all new swimwear is created from recycled fishing nets and post-industrial waste recovered from the ocean so you can upgrade your summer wardrobe with some lower impact swim gear.
Girlfriend Collective Marina Powell One Shoulder One Piece, $, available at Girlfriend CollectivePhoto Courtesy of Girlfriend Collective
Vitamin A
Price range: £80 – £264
Size range: XS – XXL
Best for: Consciously made
Determined to make use of recycled and repurposed materials, Vitamin A founder Amahlia Stevens, a former swimsuit model and designer, set about creating the brand’s signature fabric, EcoLux: “a superfine matter jersey with a nearly weightless, silken texture that erases flaws and fits like a second skin.” Vitamin A has since gone on to incorporate other sustainable, high-performance fabrics like organic cotton, linen, recycled cotton and Tencel®. All its materials are certified to global Oeko-Tex® standards for safe textiles.
Vitamin A Swim Aria One Piece, $, available at Vitamin A SwimPhoto Courtesy of Vitamin A
Aerie
Price range: £21 – £52
Size range: XXS – XXL
Best for: Options for long torsos, mix and match styles, vast range of designs
Aerie shouldn’t just be your go-to for cute, comfy and cost-effective underwear; its swimwear fits the bill, too. We love that it also offers long versions of each design for those on the taller side.
Aerie String Triangle Bikini Top, $, available at Aerie
Aerie Crossover High Cut Cheeky Bikini Bottom, $, available at AeriePhoto Courtesy of Aerie
Jade Swim
Price range: £88 – £270
Size range: XS – XL
Best for: Minimal designs, consciously made
Minimal designs, sculptural silhouettes, flattering cuts and a rainbow of colour options in more sustainable materials like ECONYL® (made with recycled nylon), produced using upcycling methods. What more could you ask for from your new swimwear?
Jade Swim Evolve One Piece, $, available at Jade SwimPhoto Courtesy of Jade Swim
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