Top swimsuits for women, according to style and preference (2024)

Swimsuit season can be every season. Whether you’re jetting to a warm destination, enjoying your local pool or Jacuzzi or enjoying summer, finding the perfect bathing suit can take a hot sec. We’ve tried lots of bathers to round up the best suits, according to preferences. From one-pieces to period pieces, here are the best bathing suits.

Summary

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Best classics: Nyud Swim
Best tummy control: Tempt Me
Great one-piece option: Cupshe
Best small business: Mila the Label
Best custom: Bathing Belle
Best leakproof: Knix
Best mix-and-match: Prairie Swim
Best size-inclusive: Joe Fresh
Best easy to shop: Aerie

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The bathing suits

Best classics: Nyud

If you’re looking for a classic swimsuit, that is well-made and flattering, without the frills, Nyud is a great option. The brand has a range of styles, all of which are basic, but better. For instance, the Sloane top comes in five signature colours – which include black and white options – as well as a few special limited edition rotating colourways. While it seems like a simple demi-underwire bikini, it has an adjustable element built in depending on the amount of coverage you’re looking for, which can be ruched or un-ruched to achieve the look you’re going for.

All of Nyud’s collection is created from a buttery, eco-friendly material that is sculpting, resistant to pilling and UV-protected.

Best tummy control: Tempt Me

Trust in the name. This tummy control, high-waisted halter front-tie knot one-piece is tempting. It is so tempting that several people who saw the suit modelled in real life were immediately tempted to purchase it. The suit has tummy control and rushing that is flattering to all body types. It’s available in solid neutral patterns like black or blue, bright neon colours or prints (I own the retro cherry pattern).

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The neck strap can be removed for a strapless look that also passes for a halter top when worn with shorts. This is not a swimsuit to swim laps in but rather to wear poolside or on the beach and swim leisurely. Sizing is true to size and runs from XS to XXL.

Great one-piece option: Cupshe

This ultra-feminine monokini comes in many colourful patterns with different lace-up options. The design is ruffled shoulders with a plunging neckline that is still comfortable for swimming and poolside activity. There are a variety of lace-up options – in back, from back to front, or in the front on the neckline. I tried the style that laced up in the back and felt that it gave good support. The bra is padded and the high cut just under the breast and ruching across the stomach and waist was extremely flattering. Like with the Tempt Me suit, this monokini looks like a pretty feminine tank top when worn with shorts. The sizes are true to size and run from XS to XXL.

Best small business: Mila the Label

Mila the Label is based in B.C. and was started in 2023 by a small group of friends, who began with a simple conversation about the lack of affordable swimwear options in Vancouver. The group, who have all lived in Vancouver for the majority of their lives, concluded that there was no option for girls, like them, who couldn’t rationalize spending $200 on a bikini.

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As a small business, they create their designs in small batches to fill demand and are continuously looking for ways to both limit waste, as well as increase the quality of swimwear they are offering. While they want their prices to be accessible, the founders also believe in good quality, vowing only to release pieces to customers that they would actually wear themselves.

The brand ships across the country and offers local pick-up in Vancouver. They also partner with local businesses for the summer season to sell their swimwear IRL.

Best custom: Bathing Belle

Many women struggle to find a swimsuit that fits perfectly, balancing out factors like comfort, coverage, price and quality. Similar to having a custom bra fitting, custom swimwear can be a great solution to find exactly what you’re looking for, without having to search high and low.

Bathing Belle is a Toronto-based brand, that specializes in custom-made swimwear. Designers Danica Salajko and Jennifer Fennell create the suits right in their Roncesvalles studio. Prices are on the more expensive side, starting at $199.

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They have several prints, from neutrals to funky prints like leopard print, cherries and a variety of tropical prints, as well as a broad range of styles to ensure customers are getting exactly what they’re looking for.

Best leakproof: Knix

We all know the struggle of getting your period on vacation. Not fun. But Canadian brand, Knix, known for their leakproof underwear, has now created a line of leakproof swimwear, a true blessing to us all. Its innovative Leakproof Swim technology absorbs about 1.5 – 3.4 teaspoons of liquid, the equivalent of about one to three regular tampons, providing standalone protection on lighter period days or backup protection on heavier days.

They have a great range of styles for women, in addition to their teen-focused line, Kt by Knix. In a recent survey, the brand found that 51 oer cent of teens stated that they miss out on swimming because of their menstrual cycle, leading to body anxiety and a lack of confidence. Knix believes that everyone deserves to enjoy the water without any worries, and this swimwear will definitely help.

Best mix-and-match: Prairie Swim

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There is truly nothing better than being able to style your swimwear based on the occasion, weather, or vibe of the day. The best way to do this is to have a range of options that can be mixed and matched together to provide the perfect look. Whether you’re looking for something with more coverage, less coverage, or reduced tan lines, you can curate the look accordingly.

Prairie Swim is the ultimate brand for mix-and-match-ability. Founded in 2019 by two Prairie girls, their goal is to design swimwear that empowers women to feel like the best version of themselves in luxe classics that are consciously designed, comfortable and curated for your everyday life.

Their collections, including the newest black and white contrast collection, have a broad range of styles, fits and ranges of coverage, all under the same look. This allows you to find the perfect combination, as well as collect a range of pieces and be able to pair them together in different combinations, allowing the fashionistas out there with the styling opportunity they’re looking for, even at the beach.

Best size-inclusive: Joe Fresh

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Joe Fresh delivers when it comes to size-inclusive swimwear. While the brand always has great styles in its collection, they have a brand new collection with longtime partner, Roxy Earle, to get you ready for spring break.

This is the brand’s fifth collaboration with Earle, and is a limited-edition capsule collection, namely the “Vacation Edit with Roxy Earle.” The line features nine size-inclusive styles of swimwear, cover-ups, footwear and accessories, featuring bright pops of colour, bold prints and beachy textures. It was specifically made to help everyone look and feel their best while on vacation.

All of the swimwear styles come in a size range of XS-3X, and The Roxy Balconette one-piece has an adjustable belt for maximum comfort. However, the bathing suits with bra-like tops won’t accommodate all size body shapes — as the cups aren’t adjustable.

Best easy to shop: Aerie

Aerie has been known for its swimwear for years. The best part about shopping from the retailer is the ease. With recurring styles, shoppers know exactly what they’re going to get, their size and that they can expect to receive it quickly, if not instantly at their local shopping centre.

The brand has a range of styles and a relatively good range of sizing as well. Aerie always seems to have sales, so it’s a perfect way to get the suit you’re looking for at a good price if you can wait it out.

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