by Dana Schulz for BestLife

Women of all shapes, sizes and ages may find beach season stressful. It can feel like our bodies are under a microscope when we venture out in a bathing suit, and the images we see in the media of size zero, itty-bitty bikinis certainly don’t help. But the truth is that research has shown that 68 percent of women in the U.S. wear a size 14 or above — which makes it all the more frustrating that finding size-inclusive swimsuits is so difficult. That’s why we asked stylists and fashion experts to share the best plus-size swimwear brands.

“The category has exploded in recent years thanks to innovative materials, machinery, designs, and collaborations,” Elizabeth Kosich, certified image stylist and founder of Elizabeth Kosich Styling, tells BestLife. “Plus the shopping experience has dramatically improved with online retailers offering an industry game changer — buy-and-try at home, not in-store where bad mirrors and bad lighting equate to bad experiences. The end result is more customer satisfaction across the board, but especially for the plus size shopper.”

So, which brands offer the best top-quality plus-size swimsuits? Keep reading to hear from Kosich and other stylists about their top picks.

1. Swimsuits For All
   As the name implies, this swimsuit brand is focused on size inclusivity, but they’re not sacrificing style to do it.

   “Swimsuits For All is known for two things: Sexy swimsuits and supermodel Ashley Graham,” says Kosich. “The face of the brand since 2015, Graham has put the label in the spotlight and co-collaborates on capsule collections and perennial pieces regularly.”

   Retail expert Jeanel Alvarado, founder and CEO of RETAILBOSS, is also a fan of this brand, which she says offers sizes up to 44 and includes one-piece swimsuits, high-waisted bikinis, and skirted bottoms — all of which are available as separates.

   “Shopping is made easy with categories like Underwire, Hip Minimizers, and Tummy Control, which also underscore the brand’s expertise on body shape,” adds Kosich.

   Most one-pieces retail for around $90, but at the time of publication, they were almost all on sale for $55 or $64.

2. ELOQUII
   ELOQUII sells sizes 14-28 and has become well-known in the plus-size space for its fashion-forward pieces.

   “Eloquii’s swimsuits are trend-forward with daring designs like metallics, ruffle details, and bold, look-at-me prints,” shares Kosich, pointing to their ever-changing collaborations.

   “This swim season features influencer Gabi Fresh and her capsule collection of dramatic, glamorous swimsuits and resort wear that her one million Instagram followers can’t get enough of,” notes Kosich.

   There’s also a good chance you’ll find a sale when shopping online. At the time of publication, they were offering up to 50 percent off everything and free shipping on all orders over $125.

3. Miraclesuit
   Miraclesuit claims that their slimming fit makes you look “10 pounds lighter in 10 seconds,” which Kosich says customers stand by.

   “Their Miratex fabric provides allover body control to accentuate busts, add curves, elongate legs, minimize waists, and offer extra tummy control,” she shares. “Styles range from one-pieces to tankinis to swim dresses, with add-ons like sarongs, skirts, and shorts to make complete sets.”

   Swimsuits come in three different support levels, all of which are available in plus sizes, and two of which have DD+ cup options. Prices for one-pieces range from about $150 to $200.

4. Sunset Vibes
   ”The designer really took her time to figure out the best way to show off a plus-size woman’s curves, providing her with the thoughtful cuts and high-quality fabrics that plus-size women are often denied,” says Ashley Full, personal stylist and co-founder of the luxury plus size fashion destination AMOUR781, of the swimwear brand Sunset Vibes.

   Full notes that these bathing suits are especially great if your chest is of concern. “Sunset Vibes swim tops are double lined so you don’t have to worry about that padding that often ends up slipping around or falling out completely,” she explains. “The double lining gives the wearer that support and lift which provides just the right amount of cleavage.”

   This brand is sustainable, too, as all the swimsuits are made from recycled water bottles. Full says they’re also durable and can withstand hours spending in a chlorinated pool.

   They don’t come cheap, however. Expect to pay a little over $200 for a one-piece or bikini set.

5. Nomads
   This is another sustainable women-owned and -designed brand that Full recommends.

   “Nomads is inclusive in so many ways, going all the way up to 5X and using an array of colors that flatter all skin tones,” she says. “I love my black one-piece just as much as the next girl, but the plus-size community has been screaming for colors and Nomads delivers big here. Cactus, dusty rose, primrose, pebble, [there’s] something for everyone.”

   Her favorite swimsuit design from this brand is the Wave One Piece II. “I love the flexibility of this style — the ruched straps can be worn crossed in the front as an X, asymmetrically, or an X at the back. You’re basically getting three styles in one.”

   Full also notes that Nomads’ cuts and styles are great for women with shorter torsos. Again, expect to pay about $200 for these suits.

6. Torrid
   Torrid sells plus-size clothing and swimwear in sizes 10-30.

   “They offer a variety of swimsuit styles, such as bikinis, one-pieces, and swim dresses, with unique prints and patterns that cater to different tastes,” says Alvarado.

   Lucy Aylen, founder and stylist at Never Fully Dressed, also recommends this brand, pointing out that their swimwear has features like underwire, adjustable straps, and sleeves so that customers can find a range of comfort. Torrid is a great option if you’re sticking to a budget. Separates range from about $45 to $60, while one-pieces are in the $100 range. By signing up for emails, you can also receive 40 percent off your first order, however at the time of publication, swimwear was already 40 percent off.

7. Summersalt
   Look at any list of the best plus-size bathing suits, and we bet you’ll find this brand’s Instagram-famous Sidestroke swimsuit featured.

   As Kosich notes, their signature swimsuit — which retails for $95 — “is a one-shoulder style with color-blocked diagonal panels that’s fun, fresh, and flattering.”

   But she’s a fan of all the swimsuits, which are “made from recycled materials with four times the compression and five times the strength of regular swimwear fabric,” she notes.

   Summersalt offers sizes 2 to 24 in most swimsuits, as well as tons of long-torso options. Plus sizes are also available in maternity.

8. Lane Bryant
   Lane Bryant has been specializing in plus-size fashion longer than any brand on this list (since 1904, to be exact), and there’s a good chance you’ll find one of their stores in any U.S. shopping mall.

   Alvarado says the brand has “a great selection of plus-size one-piece swimsuits.” And even though they’re affordable — a swim dress that was normally $100 was on sale for $50 at the time of publication — “their designs are fashionable and provide excellent support for curvy figures,” she adds.

   What’s great about Lane Bryant’s swimwear is that there are seemingly endless options of styles, from blouson tankini tops to swim shorts and rashguards to flirty ruffled one-shoulder designs.

9. The EveryBody Wrap®
   This is Kosich’s personal brand, which she launched after observing a void in the market “for clothing that promoted body-acceptance, self-confidence, and self-love,” she previously told BestLife.

   The brand sells just two items — a $169 dress and a $139 swimsuit — both of which are three-sizes-that-fit-all and come in three colors. Kosich says this model “advocates body positivity, size inclusion, shape diversity, and conscious consuming.”

   The swimsuit has extra-long bodice straps that wrap around the body several times, so you can adjust how much coverage you’d like. “The possibilities are infinite — halter straps, plunging-V, Kimono sleeves, ruching, one-shoulder, crisscross, cutouts, and more,” Kosich explains.

   She also shares that the swimsuits are made of breathable, lightweight, quick-drying compression fabric that has Lycra® super stretch support and offers UV ray protection.

10. Never Fully Dressed
    This is another brand that one of our experts designed themselves.

    Never Fully Dressed is designed by Aylen and specializes in prints that come in a range of sizes — up to UK 26 or 28 — as well as family-matching items. Many of the swimsuits feature “extra-give,” so more body shapes can feel comfortable. The prices are also reasonable, with one-pieces retailing for about $90.

See published article on BestLifeOnline.com here.