Swimsuit season is finally here—a time of both excitement and dread. Not because we have to show off our bikini body, but because we are now burdened with the task of trying to find a plus-sized swimsuit that doesn’t look like a tent, a muumuu or one of those tummy-trimming, “miracle suits” 60-year-old moms wear. And for the size 14 and up women out there, those giant cover-ups just won’t do. What’s wrong with showing a little skin—accenting those legs or displaying that fabulous Kardashian backside? But to find truly beautiful, plus-sized luxury swimwear, we had to do a bit of digging. Was it on-trend? Colorful? Flattering? To get you through summer looking fierce, we searched for the sexiest bathing suits from sizes 14-26—without all the monochromatic black or built-in shorts.
One-Pieces
Plus-sized swimwear conjures up images of bulky, black one-pieces with a built in shaper, ruffles and a little skirt meant to hide the wearer in an unflattering bulk of dark material. Thankfully, one-pieces are coming back into fashion, which means no matter your size, anyone can stylishly rock a black colorful look without seeming like they’re trying to hide. Trendy detailing and shapes gives these suits enough attitude without having to resort to the two-piece bikinis. But if body-baring bikinis are for you, don’t worry, we have a whole slew of those ahead.
Monif C. Columbia Crisscross Strap Plus Size Swimsuit is available in sizes 14W-24W. Avaialble at Monif C. and priced at $175.
The Namibia One-Piece is available in sizes 10-24. Available at Josephine Swim and priced at $170.
Gottex Leopard-Print Bandeau Swimsuit is available in sizes 16W to 22W. Available at Neiman Marcus and priced at $208.
Monif C. Cabo Monokini Plus Size Swimsuit is available in sizes 18W-22W. Available at Monif C. and priced at $158.
Modcloth Bathing Beauty One-Piece Swimsuit in Royal Velvet is available in sizes 16-26. Available at Modcloth and priced at $90.
Fables by Barrie Sammie Swimsuit is available in sizes XS-2XL. Available at Fables by Barrie and priced at $124.
Bikinis
Some of us, myself included, may not have the body for bouncing around in that itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny bikini everybody’s always singing about, but that doesn’t mean we want to hide our curves under an oversized t-shirt. While some plus-sized women would refuse to be caught dead in a two-piece, the return of retro styling has given way to new, flattering cuts that hug in all the right places and actually hold the girls in—making them not only acceptable, but chic and functional.
Robyn Lawley Cosmic Libra Adjustable Bikini is available in sizes 8-18. Available at Madison Plus Select and priced at $189.
Curvy Kate Birds Of Paradise Halterkini Top is available from sizes D-GG; the Birds Of Paradise Swim Skirt is available in sizes 8-20. Available at Figleaves and priced at $52 and $74 respectively.
Becca Etc. See It Through Bikini Top & Skirted Bottoms are available in sizes 14-22. Available at Nordstrom and priced at $84-$88 respectively.
Brigitte Swim Bottom and Bikini Top Snake Charmer are available in sizes 6-24. Available at Sorella Swim and priced at $60 and $80 respectively.
Jessica Simpson Rose Colored Glasses Plus Size Bikini is available in sizes 14-22. Available at Swimsuits For All and priced at $120.
