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The trick with swimwear shopping is to stick to well-established criteria. Your priorities, of course, are comfort, support, coverage and price. But while your demure black one-piece might cover those bases, you shouldn’t settle for a costume that does the bare minimum.
Take tummy control swimwear. If you want support in that area, you don’t have to avoid bikinis. Try a high waist pair with a built-in control panel, or a tank top. Ruching is fairly standard these days (as is a tie at the side) and does the trick by tucking everything away. If in doubt, wear something printed to distract.
Having a large cup size – and I’d count anything from DD plus – can feel like a minefield. There are specific brands for bigger sizes (I’ve listed some of the best I’ve found here), but it’s good to focus on support rather than simply more fabric. That means an underwire and proper straps – there’s no point messing about with bits of string.
You could also try underwire if you feel you need a bit of help at the other end of the spectrum. It may sound outdated, but it’s terrific at adding a bit of shape where you don’t have much, and if you spend half your day bent over sandcastles with your kids.
If you struggle to find your size, there are plenty of “one size fits all” brands – often with crinkly fabrics that do exactly that. But otherwise, it’s about looking for a brand that runs bigger sizes in its standard line. Marks & Spencer, for example, goes up to a 24.
And finally, if you want a swimsuit for swimming, go for a specialist brand. And do try it on so you get a sense of coverage – you don’t want anything popping out in the family pool.
The best swimsuits and bikinis for swimming
Patagonia orange swimsuit
Varley zip-front swimsuit
Batoko dinosaur swimsuit
Poetry floral swimsuit
Puma x Modibodi bikini top
Bottoms
Finisterre recycled bikini top
Bottoms
Sweaty Betty geometric bikini top
Bottoms
Rapanui recycled bikini top
Bottoms
The best swimwear for bigger busts
John Lewis adjustable swimsuit
Boux Avenue plunge bikini top
Bottoms
Heidi Klein halterneck bikini set
Pour Moi non-padded underwired bikini top
Bottoms
Fantasie v-neck swimsuit
Monday Swimwear crinkle bikini top
Bottoms
Bravissimo tummy control swimsuit
The most size-inclusive swimwear
New Look striped bikini top
Bottoms
M&S textured swimsuit
Next tummy control swimsuit
Hunza G scoop-neck swimsuit
Tona underwire bikini top
Bottoms
Junk LDN cherub print bikini top
Bottoms
Lucy & Yak tankini top
Bottoms
Tu frill detail swimsuit
The best underwired bikinis and swimsuits
Boden printed swimsuit
& Other Stories underwire bikini top
Bottoms
Tala underwire swimsuit
Arket balconette bikini top
Bottoms
Calzedonia ribbed swimsuit
Next tummy control swimsuit
Bond-eye green shirred bikini top
Bottoms
Abercrombie wide-strap bikini top
Bottoms
The most flattering swimwear
Seaspray bandeau swimsuit
Boden halterneck bikini top
Bottoms
Monsoon bandeau bikini top
Bottoms
Joules ruched swimsuit
White Stuff tummy control swimsuit
Phase Eight halterneck ruched bikini top
Bottoms
Seafolly high-leg swimsuit
Bonprix ruched bikini top
Bottoms
The best men’s swim shorts
Next palm print swim shorts
Orlebar Brown zipped shorts
H&M embroidered swim shorts
Reiss tangerine swim shorts
Mr Marvis red shorts
Zara tie-waist shorts
Gant teal striped shorts
M&S quick dry swim shorts
Models AJ and Inaara at Milk; Connie at the Hive. Styling assistant Charlotte Gornall. Hair Alez Szabo at Carol Hayes Management. Makeup Sophie Higginson using Kama Ayurveda and Victoria Beckham Beauty. Makeup and nails assistant Sha Li.
For more, read the best summer wardrobe updates for women and the best summer wardrobe updates for men
