Find Your Perfect Swimsuit

A swimsuit inside of a big bubble in front of a blue background.

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Finding a swimsuit you feel good in can be daunting. This episode, we’re sharing insider tips on choosing designs, fabrics, and brands that you’ll actually love. Wirecutter style writer Zoe Vanderweide walks us through the finer points of finding high-quality swimwear that fits and flatters.

Zoe shares the construction details to look for that will emphasize (or de-emphasize) different body parts, the brands that are making some of the best suits right now, and how to care for your suits so that they’ll last longer.

This episode covers

  • Why some brands are better at size inclusivity: Many brands design for a size 6 "fit model"– the model used to try on a pattern and make adjustments. The brand generally then sizes the pattern up or down to make different sizes, which often doesn’t translate into the best fit for larger bodies. Brands who use plus-size fit models tend to make suits that are more flattering for plus-size bodies.
  • Fabric and texture tips: Thicker, compressive fabrics will help hold you in more. Textured fabrics, such as ribbed or crinkle fabric, provide a "blurring" effect that can hide lumps and bumps you don’t want to emphasize. But both can take longer to dry.
  • How to care for your spendy suits: Hanging a wet suit stretches the fibers. Instead, roll it in a towel to remove moisture, then lay it flat in a shady, well-ventilated spot.
  • The suits our testers loved and why: We walk through the brands that Zoe features in her review, why they’re great, and which will work best for different body types.

Products we recommend

Made from a fabric that's buttery-soft yet compressive, this deeply plunging cross-back one piece has sturdy straps and a high-cut leg opening that provides comfortable shaping around the midsection. The suit, available in regular and tall options, runs slightly short and fits a limited range of sizes, from US 2 to 12.

Made from a fabric that’s buttery-soft yet compressive, this high-cut V-neck one-piece provides comfortable shaping around the midsection. The suit, available in regular and tall options, runs slightly short and fits a limited range of sizes, from US 2 to 12.

This simple scoop-neck one-piece looks and feels nicer than similar suits that cost twice as much. The style is available in regular and long torso options; just note that it runs large, so we recommend sizing down.

Slinky and luxe, this bikini top has unpadded triangular cups and a fetching knot detail at the center. This style runs small, and the low-coverage design works best for smaller busts and frames.

Minimal and luxe, this hipster-style bikini bottom has a low-cut leg and offers plenty of backside coverage. This style runs a tad small and fits a limited range of sizes, from US 0 to 14.

This textured suit comes in just two sizes but — remarkably — expands to fit a wide range of bodies (from US 2 to 24). It’s made from an impressively stretchy, comfortable crinkle material that gently hugs your shape, though it doesn’t offer much compression.

This long-sleeved UPF 50 rash-guard suit is sleek and smoothing, with an eye-catching color-contrast center zipper that can be worn partially open or fully closed to the neck. It’s by far the most stylish rash guard we’ve found, but it comes only in women’s sizes from 2 to 12.

This flattering demi-cup bikini top has underwire support and an adjustable tie-back. If you have fuller breasts, we suggest sizing up.

This bikini separate blends a modern, high-cut leg opening with a high rise to flattering, waist-accentuating effect. Of all the high-waisted bottoms we tested, this pair was the most comfortable: Its wide, 2-inch waistband didn’t pinch a bit.



from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/acbXJfB
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