Best Bathing Suit Brands in 2024: Luxury, Affordable, & More

September 05, 2024

Best Bathing Suit Brands in 2024: Luxury, Affordable, & More
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If you plan on spending time next to the pool, on the salty beach, or going on a tropical getaway, it's crucial to know the best bathing suit brands that will fit your needs. Whether you are a swimmer or just looking to relax, the right bathing suit brand can make or break your experience.

Not only should your bathing suit be comfortable, but also stylish— and of course, you deserve to feel confident wearing it. That's not to mention material, durability, support, design versatility, and pattern choices.

As a swimmer, I know how the wrong (or a low-quality) suit can completely upend a swimming session. My goal with this article is to help you avoid a ruined swimming experience (and save you the embarrassment) of not having the right swimsuit for the occasion— whatever that may be for you.

Top Bathing Suit Brands by Category

Best Overall Brands

Sporti

Sporti is one of my favorite bathing suit brands. I'm also a fan of their swimming gear. I especially like Sporti because it offers premium-quality products at affordable prices.

Sporti offers a wide range of bathing suit options, from athletic one piece swimsuits to designer-style bathing suits. On the athletic side, Sporti has a chlorine-resistant range, which, as a swimmer, I'm a big fan of. They also cater to everyone's needs by providing a plus-size range.

Another thing I like about Sporti is its trendy designs. They have bold prints, fun patterns, and plain colors, and they even occasionally collaborate with artists and professional swimmers to create unique and limited-edition bathing suits.

Summersalt

Summersalt is similar to Sporti in offering top-grade products at affordable prices. However, the brands are also very different. Sporti focuses more on athletic ranges with some designer options, while Summersalt concentrates almost exclusively on designer-style suits.

Summersalt's prices are also more expensive overall than Sporti's, but they are still much lower than expected for their bathing suit designs. A unique feature is that their bathing suits are made from sustainable fabrics and are inclusive in size.

So, if you want to stand out without breaking the bank, you can trust Summersalt's slogan: "Designer swimwear without the designer prices."

Andie

Andie offers hundreds of high-quality swimsuits. Their prices are generally more expensive compared to Sporti and Summersalt. I typically find Andie's designs minimalistic yet stylish, which I'm a fan of.

Something else I like about their bathing suits is that they appear to offer a lot of support. Andie's commitment to quality can be seen in that all their suits are designed based on feedback from thousands of women.

Furthermore, it might interest you that they are committed to manufacturing all their bathing suits from eco-friendly Nylon made from recycled materials. I also found their style quiz interesting, which helps you find your perfect swimsuit style.

Cupshe

Cupshe is an affordable bathing suit brand that focuses on beach swimwear. I like this brand because of its variety of designs, which is part of its popularity. Cupshe provides a wide variety of bathing suits, ranging from trendy, designer-style suits to more simple, plain prints. Suit styles include one-pieces, bikinis, and tummy control, among others.

Compared to other brands I have covered, Cupshe's pricing is some of the most affordable and in line with Sporti's. However, Sporti and Cupshe differ substantially because Cupshe focuses more on leisurely beach wear while Sporti focuses more on athletic-style suits.

Regarding quality, you don't have anything to worry about with Cupshe, but I also wouldn't expect it to be in the same class as brands like Andie or Summersalt.

Luxury Swimwear

Eres

Eres is owned by the famous luxury fashion house, Chanel, which you've undoubtedly heard of. The brand offers a range of bathing suit styles, including one-piece and two-piece suits and bikinis.

I generally find their designs quite minimalistic. They are available in an extensive range of plain colors with an occasional patterned design. This can be the perfect way to make a fashion statement. Their bathing suits are also made from premium materials, providing comfort and support.

Compared to the brands we've highlighted earlier, Eres is significantly more expensive (as you'd expect), being around five times more expensive than Andie, one of the more pricier brands I covered.

Hermoza

If Eres' minimalistic styles (or perhaps price) didn't cut it for you, another luxury bathing suit brand to look at is Hermoza. Hermoza offers more variety in its bathing suit designs, including various elegant patterned suits, prints, colors, and designs. Styles include one-piece and two-piece, bikinis, tummy control, and long torso.

Two aspects I like about this bathing suit brand are its focus on durability and the cultural thought behind its designs. Hermoza focuses particularly on incorporating aspects of feminity into its designs, and its suit styles are also inspired by Latin culture.

I want to focus paticularly on the craftsmanship and durability of their bathing suits. The brand considers itself sustainable, not because of particular material choices but because it is confident that its suits won't have to be replaced anytime soon, reducing waste in the long term.

Furthermore, these swimsuits are considered investment pieces that never go out of style. Another aspect I think everyone can appreciate is the affordable luxury prices of their suits. While not cheap, considering their luxury class, these suits definitely won't break the bank either.

Solid & Striped

Solid & Striped has a preppy feel, with chic designs encompassing sophistication, timelessness, and minimalism. The designs are durable, timeless, and high-quality. This bathing suit brand focuses mainly on bikinis while offering various one-piece designs. Prices are similar to those of Hermoza.

Solid & Striped's slightly more revealing design appeal, particularly to younger audiences.

Affordable Options

Aerie

Aerie offers a wide range of affordable bathing suits. The brand focuses on trendy and casual designs, offering quality one-piece swimsuits for women as well as bikinis. Like Solid & Striped, Aeria has a broader range of bikini options.

Aerie appeals more to younger audiences, aiming to promote body confidence. With sizes ranging from small to XXL, Aerie is committed to inclusivity and body positivity so everyone can look stylish while enjoying a day beside the water.

Old Navy

You've undoubtedly heard about Old Navy. This general fashion brand offers various clothing items and a decently sized range of bathing suits. Typically, you can expect minimalist designs in plain colors.

What sets Old Navy apart is the extreme affordability of its bathing suits—its prices are some of the most affordable out of all the brands. While you shouldn't expect the same quality and attention to detail as more expensive swim-centered brands, you can still expect a good overall bathing suit.

Target's In-House Brands (Shade & Shore)

While Target is probably not the first brand you think of when it comes to bathing suits, it's important to note that they have a wide variety of swimsuits from their in-house brand, Shade & Shore. Designs come in one-piece and bikini styles, ranging from plain and minimalist to fashionable swimsuits.

While not as affordable as Old Navy, the prices are still excellent. Once again, as these are more budget-range suits, don't expect anything exceptional, but know that the quality, comfort, and support will likely still be good enough for most.

Sustainable Swimwear

Reformation

As the name suggests, Reformation's primary focus is designing and manufacturing sustainable swimwear. They offer a wide range of bathing suits from minimalist to trendy, stylistic patterns.

Both one-piece and bikini options are available, with more emphasis on the latter. Although Reformation's swimsuits are expensive, they are of high quality and offer good support and comfort.

Vitamin A

Sustainability is in Vitamin A's name, along with materials such as BioSculpt, EcoLux, EcoRib, and EcoTex. (Not to mention their responsible manufacturing practices.) A wide range of swimsuit options are available, including one-pieces and bikinis.

Styles range from simple minimalist to trendy designer suits. All of their bathing suits are also top-notch quality. In terms of pricing, Vitamin A is on the expensive side, with prices similar to those of Reformation.

Jade Swim

What I like about Jade Swim is its niche focus on swimwear only and extensive sustainability practices, which I believe to be some of the most comprehensive.

Their bathing suits include fabrics made from recycled fibers, manufacturing is done entirely in-house, and all products come in biodegradable packaging.

Another sustainability feature that I found interesting was their Oeko-Tex-certified and Azo-tested fabrics, which ensures no hazardous chemicals are used in their dyes. You'll also notice that their swimsuits are only available in solid colors, as this eliminates the excessive water usage needed for pattern prints.

In terms of designs, they have a very large collection of bathing suits to pick from, including bikinis and one-piece suits. The designs are timeless and modern. Once again, prices are higher, similar to those of Reformation and Vitamin A.

Size-Inclusive Brands

Swimsuits For All

As the name may suggest, this bathing suit brand focuses on inclusivity. They offer various styles and sizes, including an entire plus-size category.

The types of bathing suits offered include one-pieces, tankinis, bikinis, swim tops, and swim dresses. They offer a wide variety of styles, ranging from simple prints to trendy and designer styles. Their prices aren't the lowest but not outrageous, similar to brands like Andie and Hermoza.

Good American

Good American offers high-quality bathing suits in clean, modern, and minimalist designs that provide excellent support. They ensure that all their bathing suits are available in various designs, ranging from XS to 5XL, ensuring everyone is included.

I like the sophisticated designs of their swimsuits, which are similar to those of Andie and Hermoza. Regarding bathing suit types, you can choose between bikinis and one-pieces. Prices are similar to Swimsuits For All.

Athletic/Performance Swimwear

Speedo

Speedo is one of the big three athletic swimwear brands, perhaps the largest in the American market. Their swimsuits focus on functionality, comfort, and durability with simple and fun prints. This reflects their target audience: swimmers who spend hours of the day in the pool.

In the competitive realm, they also offer high-tech swimsuits designed for racing. Furthermore, a few swimsuit styles in other categories are available, such as bikinis, trendy designs, and plus-size swimwear. Of course, they (and some of the other brands) also offer men's swimwear, such as swim jammers.

As I have used this brand before, I can attest that the designs are well-made and durable, although they aren't my favorite. Prices are generally less expensive than the fashion-style brands we covered earlier.

TYR

TYR is the second of the big three athletic swimwear brands. What I like about TYR is the exceptional durability of their swimsuits. I've worn some of their suits for years before retiring them, both in terms of their training and competitive racing suits.

TYR offers various swimsuits in a wide range of cuts, colors, and fun prints. Once again, with a focus on functionality and comfort, the target market here is competitive swimmers who spend a lot of time in the pool. Their pieces also make good options for triathlon swim suits. Prices are similar to those of Speedo.

Arena

When it comes to athletic swimwear, Arena is my personal favorite. I enjoy their minimalistic, clean, comfortable, and functional swimsuit designs. That said, Arena also has a wide range of fun prints, similar to TYR. Their swimsuits are also durable, although I'd say TYR is still the king regarding durability.

Like TYR and Speedo, Arena also has a particular category of competition swimsuits focused on competitive racing. These suits use special fabrics and taping to help you swim faster by optimizing your body position, drag, and power.

Their regular swimsuits are priced similarly to TYR and Speedo, as are their competitive suits– but note that these can be exceptionally expensive.

Nike

While Nike might not be the first brand you think of for swimwear, it has an extensive range of athletic swimsuits. Many colors and prints are available, and pricing is similar to the other swimming brands.

Of course, Nike's sole focus is not swimwear, and I have found that their suits generally don't sit so well on all swimmers, frequently running too small or not offering enough support.

That said, if you find a design or print that you like, it's worthwhile trying it. Nike also offers a broader range of athletic suits with trendy cuts and more bikini options.

Dolfin

Dolfin is a smaller swimming brand than the big three—Speedo, TYR, and Arena—but all swimmers will agree that it is still a good option. What I like about Dolfin is its wide range of athletic swimwear.

I like the minimalistic designs of their training suits, which come in plain colors and fun patterns. I should also mention that Dolfin, like Nike, has a broader range of swimsuits, including bikinis, swim dresses, and tankinis.

Like the other swim-focused brands, Dolfin also offers some high-tech racing suits. Another plus about Dolfin is that their prices are generally more affordable than the big three brands, helping you save some money if you are on a budget.

JOLYN

Jolyn is like the Loius Vuton of athletic swimwear (without the Loius Vuton price tag). They offer many clean, functional, and durable, high-quality swimsuits for women. They also have many bikini options and a few designer-style swimsuits.

Jolyn's swimsuits are perfect for competitive swimmers. They are made from long-lasting Forever Fabric technology, which can withstand chlorine, saltwater, and perspiration.

The wide variety of colors also helps to keep things interesting. Although the prices are slightly higher than some other brands, they are still affordable.

Trendy/Fashion-Forward Brands

Frankies Bikinis

As the name suggests, Frankies Bikinis focuses heavily on bikini-style swimsuits. The brand offers various styles, including cheeky, classic, full-coverage, micro, skimpy, and swim skirts, all available in trendy designs.

The brand is known for its collaborations with celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, Sydney Sweeny, Gigi Hadid, and Naomi Osaka, among others. Although this is a fashion-forward brand, its prices are still affordable, and the quality of its bathing suits are exceptional.

Triangl

Triangl is an Australian bathing suit brand that features high-quality, bold, and sporty fashion-driven designs. Like Frankies Bikinis, most swimsuits are focused on bikinis, with the occasional one-piece suit. They also offer a few two-piece bathing suits.

The combination of this brand's fashionable designs with affordable pricing has made them very popular among fashion-forward consumers.

Monday Swimwear

Monday Swimwear is a premium fashion-driven swimwear brand. I like the variety of cuts in its bathing suits. Monday aims to design timeless, comfortable styles with many color options.

Unlike Triangl and Frankies Bikinis, Monday offers more versatility in bathing suits, providing options for one-piece and two-piece bikini-style suits.

Their designs are made of high-quality materials, and most of their swimwear is marked as eco-friendly. One thing to note is that Monday has premium pricing and is generally quite expensive.

Types of Bathing Suit Brands

  • Luxury Brands: Offering premium materials and fashionable designs, luxury brands are the perfect way to stand out and make a fashion statement. You may enjoy the attention to detail, craftsmanship, and, in some cases, even personalization of these brands. Often, it's also about more than the bathing suit itself, but the heritage and story behind the brand. Of course, there will be a steeper climb for your wallet here.
  • Affordable Brands:You don't necessarily have to pay premium prices for a premium experience. Many affordable brands are available that will make you feel just as stylish. However, more work may be required to ensure you get the desired quality. Look for swimsuits made from high-quality materials (most are made from nylon and spandex), read online reviews, and shop around for the best prices. (Luckily, SwimOutlet makes this easy for you by offering frequent sales!)
  • Sustainable/Eco-Friendly Brands: These brands focus on recycling waste while manufacturing high-quality bathing suits to protect the environment. They may also use eco friendly manufacturing processes, which offers the more significant benefit, in my opinion. As a bonus, eco-friendly swimwear is generally safer for your skin due to the absence of synthetic fabrics that may contain chemicals.
  • Size-Inclusive Brands: Everyone is different; therefore, brands must accommodate people of all shapes and sizes. Most swimwear brands offer a range of sizes so everyone can enjoy a day next to the pool or on the beach.
  • Athletic/Performance Brands: While most may enjoy spending time in the water, no one enjoys (or hate) it as much as my fellow swimmers, who spend hours per day training. For us, comfort, stretch, and durability are the most important factors when choosing swimwear, followed by colorful patterns and stylish designs.
  • Trendy/Fashion-Forward Brands: I'd look no further if you want something in between the luxury, affordable, eco-friendly, size-inclusive, and athletic brands. They create designs featuring bold prints, your favorite athletes, artists, and designers. A current trend is mix-and-match designs, allowing you to personalize your swimwear for a unique look.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bathing Suit Brand

Quality and Durability

Select high-quality fabrics for your bathing suit to ensure durability, comfort, stretch, and support.

Materials to look for include:

  • Nylon (also known as polyamide): comfort and quick drying.
  • Spandex (also known as Lycra or Elastane): stretch and shape retention.
  • Polyester: chlorine-resistance, UV protection, and fade prevention.
  • Neoprene: insulation, durability, structure.

Typically, most swimsuits consist of a combination of Nylon and Spandex. If you prefer more comfort and stretch, choose a higher nylon percentage. Choose a higher spandex percentage if you want more durability and shape retention.

Not all bathing suits will contain polyester and neoprene, but if these have qualities you desire, you may want to look out for them.

Fit and Sizing

Finding the right fit is essential for feeling comfortable in your bathing suit. The right fit will ensure enough support, improve aesthetics by enhancing shape, and provide longevity. Well-fitting swimwear is less likely to stretch and wear out quickly.

Also, consider the wide range of styles we covered– from bathing suits that provide more coverage to those that offer less.

Some helpful tips to consider when choosing the right fit and size include:

  • Take measurements and compare them to the size charts on a per-brand basis. Note the brands we mentioned that provide inclusive sizing.
  • Account for stretch. Most swimsuits will often stretch out over time but don't overdo it either, as sizing down excessively will lead to discomfort.
  • Consider your body tape. Everyone is shaped differently, and you may need more support in certain areas or prefer more coverage in others.
  • Try out your bathing suit. Most online brands today have generous return policies allowing you to switch out your bathing suit if it doesn't work for you as long as it's in good condition with tags attached.

Style and Design Options

It's essential to choose a style and design you'll love to wear. Also, consider how different styles and designs will fit your body. Think about your preferences, such as more or less coverage, support, and so on.

Some of the styles we covered include:

  • One-piece bathing suits
  • Bikinis
  • Tankinis
  • Swim dresses

Also, consider whether you prefer more minimalist, modern designs or bold, trendy, and fashion-driven designs.

Price Point

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is essential for various reasons, such as protecting the environment by reducing carbon emissions and waste, following ethical design and manufacturing practices, and even personal benefits such as bathing suits made from non-toxic materials that will benefit your body.

Sustainability also encourages brands to focus on the quality of their bathing suits to reduce the number of replacements in the long term.

Identifying sustainable brands is usually relatively easy. Most brands will include a sustainability label on their bathing suits, such as "eco-friendly," and will tell you about their sustainability practices in the product description.

You can also easily identify these brands by looking at the sustainability section of this article.

Customer Service and Return Policies

Customer service and return policies are essential to consider, especially when shopping for your bathing suit online.

This will allow you to return your bathing suit if it doesn't fit as intended. A good customer service rep will further simplify this process by helping you log your return and explaining all the necessary steps for the return and exchange/refund process.

If you'd like to learn about a brand's customer service and return policies, you can easily do so by scrolling down to the bottom menus on their website. Usually, there, you'll find links to customer service contact information as well as the brand's exchange and return policy.

Shopping Tips for Bathing Suits

Understanding Your Body Type and Preferences

Finding what you like in your bathing suit is an iterative process. As a swimmer, it took me many years of trying different training suits to decide that I liked Arena's minimalist designs.

Tips for finding what you prefer and what fits your body type include:

  • Take accurate measurements. The bust, waist, and hips are vital areas to measure.
  • Consider your proportions. Do you have longer legs and a shorter torso, or is it the other way around?
  • Observe your body shape. Are you curvier in some areas than others?
  • Try different styles! The only way you'll know what you like is by experimenting.

Reading Customer Reviews and Size Guides

Customer reviews can provide valuable insights into what you can expect from a bathing suit. It can highlight whether the bathing suit has strengths or particular weaknesses. I wouldn't rely solely on customer reviews as they're often more subjective and can vary dramatically based on the pricing of a bathing suit. Nevertheless, they can still be helpful.

When it comes to finding reliable customer reviews, I recommend:

  • Check across multiple retailer sources (if possible).
  • Focus on detailed reviews over simple comments.
  • Look for reviews that are a verified purchase. Usually, websites display this with a badge.
  • Consider a larger volume of reviews. If you notice a particular pattern, you can generally rely on that more.

As I mentioned earlier, it's essential to consider size guides on a brand basis. Each brand fits slightly differently and will create its size charts based on that. The sizing of one brand may also not necessarily align with that of another.

In addition to considering your measurements on a per-brand basis, also:

  • Consider the product individually. Ensure you understand the fit, as size is not the only factor to consider. It may have a particular cut or be more or less flexible.
  • Use brand-specific guidelines to help you understand their sizing chart and how to take accurate measurements.
  • Contact customer support to help you find your perfect size if you are unsure.

Considering the Intended Use (Lounging, Swimming, Water Sports)

Intended use is a crucial factor to consider to have a satisfying experience. Here are some things to look for depending on the use of your bathing suit:

  • Lounging: look for stylish designs with UV protection and materials that won't fade quickly in the sun. Consider going for a relaxed, comfortable fit, and consider how much coverage you want. You can consider one-pieces, bikinis, two-pieces, and swim dresses.
  • Swimming: I recommend chlorine-resistant fabrics with higher percentages of spandex for a durable and functional design. Opt for swimsuits with more support, as these are better suited to swimming laps. Furthermore, choose coverage that will allow plenty of freedom of movement. One-pieces are usually the best option.
  • Water sports: Look for a bathing suit that offers a secure fit, good support, and durability. UV protection may also be worth considering if you'll be outdoors a lot. Both one-pieces and athletic two-pieces are good options.

Bathing Suit Care

Proper Washing and Drying Techniques [link]

As I've owned dozens of swimsuits over the years, I know some of the most essential tips that actually help extend the life of your swimsuit.

  • Rinse your bathing suit with cold water immediately after swimming to remove chlorine, salt, sunscreen, and other substances that can decrease lifespan.
  • Avoid washing your swimsuit unnecessarily. This should only be done once in a while and only if absolutely neccessary.
  • If you must wash your bathing suit, use a gentle detergent and hand wash only. Rinse your suit out with cold water when you're done. A cool trick I've adopted over my years of swimming is using a swimsuit cleanser. These are the best way to clean your swimsuit without damaging the fabric.
  • Never wring your bathing suit after washing or rinsing it. This can cause it to stretch out much faster. I usually give it a few shakes to remove most of the water before allowing it to dry.
  • Air dry your bathing suit on a flat surface and avoid direct sunlight. Hanging your bathing suit can cause it to stretch out, while sunlight can weaken the fabric and cause fading.
  • Regarding drying, never use a dryer or iron your bathing suit.

Storage Tips

Here are a few tips for storing your bathing suit:

  • Only store your bathing suit once completely dry to prevent mold.
  • I recommend keeping your bathing suit in an open, dry area with good ventilation. Usually, I place my swimsuit directly on top of my swimming bag.
  • Ensure your bathing suit is flat and not hanging to prevent stretching. If you can help, don't fold it, although I know this isn't always possible.

Conclusion

In this article, I covered a wide variety of bathing suit brands so that you can find the perfect one for you.

I recommend considering your budget and priorities. Brands range from luxury, affordability, sustainability, inclusivity, athleticism, and fashion-forward, allowing you to decide on your budget and what's most important.

I recommend following our tips, carefully comparing brands, and reading customer reviews before deciding.

Lastly, remember to take care of your bathing suit by following the points we discussed. Proper care can help extend the life of your bathing suit.

FAQs

What is the most expensive swimsuit

Generally, the most expensive swimsuits are designer-style swimsuits from brands like Eres and Monday Swimwear. Certain competitive swimwear brands like Arena, Speedo, and TYR also have very expensive competitive swimsuits.

What makes a swimsuit high-quality

Fabrics are the most critical factor in a high-quality swimsuit. Look for a mix of Nylon and Spandex. Generally, a combination of 80% Nylon and 20% Spandex is a good blend. Other factors of a high-quality swimsuit include a stylish design and adequate support.

Why is Hunza G so popular

Hunuza G is a popular swimsuit brand for various reasons. These include high-quality fabrics, flattering and chic fits, sustainable practices, timeless designs, comfort, customization, and celebrity endorsement.