Hot and bothered; that's likely how you feel when you feel when trying to partake in any activity while wearing a bathing suit other than lying on your beach towel. Sure, there are tons of cute and trendy swimwear options out there, but how many of them *actually* stay put during a wake surfing sesh, or while catching some waves? It’s beyond frustrating to deal with slippage and unwanted wedgies just to look good. On the flip side, traditionally athletic tends to be... not so cute.
Thankfully, you no longer have to choose between looking cute and feeling comfortable. After personally testing a range of bikinis and one-pieces this summer, we can confidently say that your swimwear can and should do both. Blessed be! We also consulted Allison Berlin, NYC-based stylist and founder of Style Made Simple, for her insights on what to look for in a suit that can stand up to a summer's worth of adventures.
- Allison Berlin, Allison Berlin is a stylist and the founder of Style Made Simple.
Our favorite sport swimwear brands, at a glance:
What to look for in supportive-yet-cute swimwear
Support doesn’t come easily; factors like fabric and personal comfort in a bathing suit are important features to note when searching for stylish sports swimwear. Berlin says to look for the following:
- Material: What a swimsuit is made of builds a strong foundation for how it will hold up during activities and over time. “When looking for swimwear that is secure, supportive, and keeps everything in check, look for a nylon + spandex/elastane fabric combination,” says Berlin. “I would also recommend a swimsuit with a bit of compression for that secure but comfortable feeling.” Essentially, bathing suits should feel like a snug hug.
- Style: Depending on the intensity of your water sports, suggested styles will vary. However, You can't beat a one-piece for swimwear that stays put, and, "choosing a style with adjustable straps will help keep the [upper] snug and in place,” says Berlin. But don’t fret, if super sporty isn't your vibe. "Two-piece styles can work as well," says Berline. "Again, look out for adjustable straps and a high-rise bottom with a fuller cut.” A full day of activity in the summer sun should inspire a swimwear choice with a little more coverage to protect the skin, she adds.
- Personal preference: "You know your body so stick with styles that resonate with you instead of what’s trending," says Berlin. Having fun in the sun should be just that; fun. Don’t punish yourself with a suit that doesn’t feel true to you this summer, or ever!
9 stylish sport swimwear brands, tried + tested by editors
Left On Friday
Founded by ex-Lululemon executives, Left On Friday was born with the idea that your swimsuit should never hold you back. The brand’s stylish silhouettes are made to keep up with the women who wear them, are easy to care for, and feel amazing on your body. Compressive when both wet and dry, the unique material of Left On Friday’s suits offers smoothing coverage and feels divine, no matter what activity you're doing. Even better, it's chlorine and saltwater-resistant, size-inclusive, and comes in a rainbow of colors that are perfect for mixing and matching.
Our picks:
Available sizes: S – XL
This one-strap style can handle serious activity, proven further by the brand’s partnership with Team Canada’s Women’s Beach Volleyball athletes for the 2024 Paris Olympics who have bumped, set, and spiked in this bikini without any slip-ups.
Colors: 10
Available sizes: XS-XL
“I’m a big fan of vintage-y high-cut bottoms but they notoriously ride up my butt,” says W+G Commerce Editor, Francesca Krempa. “These stay in place, even when I’m doing things where they should ride up, like swimming in the ocean or paddleboarding. And they make my butt look good.”
Colors: 12
Nike Swim
As a true performance sports brand, Nike Swim's swimsuits can handle just about anything and look good doing it. Its materials ensure a secure fit that stays put, whether you're doing laps, hitting the beach volleyball court, or catching waves. And while the brand does sell basic, tried-and-true one-pieces, a handful of more stylish designs featuring trendy designs like cutouts, color-blocking, and even lacing.
Our picks:
Available sizes: S-XL
I have a D-cup, so finding bikini tops that stay put yet don’t feel like they’re strapping my chest down can be a challenge, but this high-neck design delivers. The fit feels similar to that of my favorite sports bra—it’s that secure. The keyhole detailing in the back paired with an eye-catching ribbed texture keeps me feeling cute, and not completely covered, which I appreciate.
Colors: 4
Jolyn
If you're a serious swimmer, chances are you recognize Jolyn. The brand’s beloved one-piece sparked a revolution almost two decades for revolutionizing competitive swimwear with a cute, cross-back design that could handle laps on laps. Since its launch in 2007, Jolyn has expanded to a range of styles of both one-pieces, bikinis, water polo suits, rash guards, and even men's briefs, all crafted to handle life in the water. All of its products use recycled fabrics that are saltwater and chlorine-resistant to prevent fading and breaking down. Best of all, they're designed to stay in place, whether that's in the lap lane, in the swell, or on a beach towel.
Our picks:
Available sizes: XS-DD
The corset-style lacing on the back of this suit almost made me forget that it was built for intense support during intense sports. Not only is the back design stylish, but it allows for the straps to be adjusted to however tight or loose the wearer needs them to be. One thing to note, however, is that my regular size swimwear felt too tight in this top. The site does recommend sizing up to avoid too snug of a fit.
Colors: 11
Speedo
Legacy swimwear brand Speedo is synonymous with sporty, so you know its styles stay in place. As the official sponsor of Team USA at the 2024 Olympics, its athletic swimsuits are renowned for their sleek cuts and compressive fabrics that allow the country's top athletes to glide through the water like real-life dolphins. If they're good enough for Olympians, they're good enough for us normies, too.
Our picks:
Available sizes: 2XS-L
“My life outside of work consists of a lot of water activities, including fishing and paddling, so I need a swimsuit that can keep up with me,” says Krempa. “I love how sleek and secure this suit makes me feel when I’m active, especially in the bust. The shelf bra keeps everything in place without making me feel compressed, as do the racerback straps which can often feel like they’re digging in. And I just love how simple the color-blocking is. The pop of lime green on the back gives it a fun edge.”
Colors: 3
Carve Designs
Carve Designs puts a strong emphasis on the technical aspects of its swimwear. Each piece features UPF 50+ sun protection, quick-drying fabrics, and secure, adjustable styles that stay in place no matter how intense your day at the beach (or pool, or lake) gets. The brand’s styles are inspired by the beauty of nature and the spirit of adventure, offering a range of vibrant prints and classic cuts that fit every body type. Carve Designs is committed to sustainability, using recycled materials and ethical manufacturing processes to reduce its environmental footprint—it's a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and water sports lovers who appreciate technical performance and stylish design.
Our picks:
Available sizes: XS – XL
You heard it here first: tankinis are b-a-c-k, back. Carve Designs Stinson Tank fit exactly how some of my favorite workout tops with a built-in bra do, and for that reason, I’m hooked. A snug shelf bra and form-fitting bodice give me so much confidence, despite not showing as much skin as I usually do in swimwear. I feel comfortable running, jumping, and being playful in this suit which is a feeling that a bikini hasn’t offered me in a long time. The colors and prints are fashion-forward, too, with my favorite being the seasonal “Ice” offering.
Colors: 9
Available sizes: XS-XL, with D/DD cups available
“Holy compression. My boobs don’t go anywhere they’re not supposed to in this top,” says Krempa. “It’s highly supportive and can double as a sports bra. If you’re on the hunt for a sporty swim top that won’t get ripped off in waves, I can’t recommend this one enough.”
Colors: 9
Vuori
Vuori has swept the athleisure world by storm with its dreamy fabrics akin to clouds in clothing form. Its swimwear is just as comfortable, in and out of the water. Its swimwear line includes bikinis and one-pieces in minimalistic cuts that are simple yet supportive to keep you covered. Like its leggings and sweats, its swimsuits also feature compression, four-way stretch, and sustainable materials.
Our picks:
Available sizes: XXS-XXL
Perfect for surfers and paddlers who may spend more time in the water than their sunscreen’s reapply recommendation is comfortable with, this long-sleeved cropped top is the ultimate chic rash guard. With UPF 30+ sun protection your mind can focus on catching waves instead of catching a gnarly sunburn. I personally had never tried a long-sleeved swimsuit prior to Vuori’s and was concerned about getting too hot in this style, but the moisture-wicking properties in the Dune Crop kept me cool while I looked cool, too.
Colors: 3
Available sizes: XXS-XXL
“I’ve had these bottoms and the matching bikini top for two summers now, and both pieces look just a good as they day I first got them,” says Krempa. “Bottom-wise, the high-waist sits right under my belly button and gives me more security than my normal string bikinis. There’s also a hidden phone pocket which is a fun addition!”
Colors: 5
Andie
Andie's focused on making you feel your best self in a swimsuit. Its timeless styles and sophisticated cuts make you feel confident and stylish, whether you’re hitting the waves or enjoying a sunny day at the beach. Its inclusive size range means there's no tugging or retying—everything fits the way it's supposed to.
Our picks:
Available sizes: XS-XL
Scoop necks can be a toss-up for women who don’t want their chest to feel insecure, yet don’t want to be confined to high-neck tops only. Thankfully, Andie Swim’s Maui Bikini Top shows off some cleavage in a range of fabrics, prints, and colors, while offering optimal bust support. One reviewer with a 36G cup size noted that she was impressed with the support from this top. However, it would be best to opt for light activity in this top as it’s not fully equipped to handle lap swimming or a beach jog without movement.
Colors: 7
Summersalt
Summersalt makes trendy swimwear in a wide range of sizes, for all sorts of bodies. With "a collection of 1.5 million measurements from 10,000 real women," per its website, its designs are made to be as comfortable and properly fitting as they can get. This means a size range from 2-22, long-torso options, plus boob and butt support. Yes, please.
Our picks:
Available sizes: 2-22, in classic and long torso lengths
Summersalt’s signature Sidestroke is one of the brand’s best-selling swimsuits thanks to its superior compression and flattering design. The Sidestroke holds you in place without any trace of suffocating—it’s my go-to one-piece thanks to its ability to hug me in all of the right places while maintaining all-day comfort. The detachable bow detailing on this particular style garnered several “where did you get that?” questions when I wore it to my local rec center, and it held up swimmingly during my laps.
Colors: 3
Sienna Swim
While not a traditional athletic swimwear brand, many of Sienna Swim's styles do stay put. And they look good—they're designed with trendier cuts and colors in mind with eco-friendly that can withstand the test of time.
Our picks:
Available sizes: XS-XXL
“I typically avoid one-pieces in this deep-V cut because I have pretty big boobs and this silhouette typically doesn’t offer them enough support,” says Krempa. “Happy to report that the Hamptons suit does hold them up and keep them up! It’s sexy but not so sexy that I can’t wear it paddling or swimming in the ocean.”
Colors: 2
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