These swimsuits are flattering, not too skimpy and timeless to last you for years!
I am SO excited about the summer with Thomas and Charles! Thomas loves the water, and he just finished a swim lesson intensive so he’s going to be SO much more confident in the pool this summer. I’m personally not a big pool fan (I’m not a super strong swimmer), but since Thomas loves it, we’ll spend lots of time at our neighborhood pool this summer. That being said, I needed to do some swimsuit shopping.
If you’re like me (and you probably are if you’re reading this post!), you’re looking for cute, flattering swimsuits that are still conservative and comfortable, especially if you’re an older mom like me. (I’ll be 40 in a few months and have a 3.5 year old and a 3 month old.) I don’t want anything too skimpy, and I need to be able to move around and hold the kiddos without worrying about things staying in place. I also don’t usually like anything too trendy or super cheaply made. (However, if there’s an occasion you want a fun swimsuit for, sometimes a cheaper option is best for a one time wear.)
I believe in quality over quantity, so I typically buy 1-2 nice bathing suits a year and just alternate. Again, the key here is buying suits that are simple and not too trendy. And then, when I’m not feeling my best in a swimsuit anymore, I sell it on the TeriLyn’s Closet Instagram account. However, I did end up finding a handful of great affordable suits, so you’ll see them below.
In this post, I’m rounding up my favorite picks so far, at lots of different price ranges. I love a mix of solid colors and patterns, since I get bored of the same suits after a while.
This is a very commonly searched question, so I wanted to be sure to cover it. I actually don’t have a large stomach, but I have dealt with pretty severe bloating after my c-section and I feel most confident in suits that have ruching (if a one piece) and if a two piece I like high waisted with compression (like Left on Friday). The swimsuit directly below is the most flattering option I’ve found.
Let’s jump into the one pieces first, and then I’ll update this post with bikinis once my orders come in.
My top pick for the year (and the last 4 years) is the Island Goddess One-Piece Swimsuit from La Blanca. I’ve had it for 3 years now, and it’s STILL my very favorite. The ruching is perfect for a little tummy coverage (I love this suit even in my early postpartum days) and so, so incredibly flattering. The neckline is high enough to be very appropriate but low enough to feel feminine and just a touch sexy. The bum is full coverage.
This La Blanca suit runs TTS, and I have a 4.
I would have guessed this One Shoulder Asymmetrical Cut Out One Piece was a designer swimsuit if I didn’t find it myself. For only $40, this is such a steal. I’ve owned swimsuits from this brand before and the quality is great. This swimsuit has a medium to full coverage booty. I have a size small.
I was immediately drawn to this front-tie one piece from Target. I love the coral color and the front detailing that feels tastefully sexy but still appropriate for the pool (if you have a small bust). Booty is full coverage and the reviews are all great. I just bought it and ended up returning since I needed more coverage on the front, but I think it will work really well if you have a smaller chest.
This blue Pucker Textured Square Neck One Piece feels like a Hunza G look for less. It’s super cute, flattering, the color is great in person, and the coverage is full in the back. (I haven’t liked the Hunza G swimsuits because they are too cheeky for me.) The straps are adjustable too! I have a size small.
This purple one piece from Target is really fun because of the side knots. The lilac color is perfect for spring and summer (if you have a tan), and the fit is true to size. I have a small.
Yet ANOTHER Target find! This twist front one piece is super flattering, even with a simple shape. I got the same swimsuit in purple last year and the neckline is just deep enough to be sexy, but it’s definitely not overboard. The bum is full coverage and I’m wearing an XS. I’d say this runs a little big.
One of my favorite swimsuit brands EVER is called Left On Friday. The material they use has great compression, the cut is always flattering, the fit is perfect, etc. They are worth EVERY penny of the price! I love that you can really swim in Left On Friday.
The ONLY qualm I have is that their swimsuits aren’t lined, so I recommend getting these nippies to wear underneath. They’re waterproof and last for SO many uses. (I have a two piece from LOF that I love, as well, which you’ll see further down in the post.)
I’m wearing an XS here. It ended up being a little tight, so I would say go up one size.
I ordered this Amazon coral one piece last year to compare to the La Blanca suit I linked first, and it’s great. Just as good as La Blanca? No, but definitely a good budget option! I’m wearing an XS and it’s slightly large. The price is SO good.
This Target colorblock one piece is from last year but still available. It’s a super fun option if you love color. The orange and brown combo is a nice blend of fun and neutral, and I love the deep v-neck. I’m wearing an XS in this, and it fits a little big.
This hot pink one piece from J.Crew is SO flattering with the front ruching tummy control (especially if you’re postpartum) and the neckline is nice too! It’s fully lined AND has a full coverage bottom. I wasn’t a fan of bandeau cuts on me before this suit, but I wore this non-stop last season (and the year before) and plan to do the same again this year. It comes in 10 colors, and it comes in a classic fit or a fit for long torsos, which is great for taller women. I wear a size 2, and I’m typically a size XS in most items. I think this style would be flattering on all body types.
I ordered these two suits before our trip to Dominica last year and I LOVE them! I’m planning to order a few more suits, so keep your eyes out for when I update this post.
This Left on Friday bikini set is my very favorite of all of the two pieces I’ve ever had. The brand makes super high quality pieces that feel sporty while also being super flattering. I wear an XS in the top in the pictures below, but I’ll have to size up this year given that I’m now breastfeeding.
I’m wearing the High Tide bottoms in an XS too.
This Tularosa floral bikini set was another fun splurge for our recent trip to Dominica. I LOVE the color and pattern, and the cut is super feminine. The bottom is a little cheekier than I would wear to our neighborhood pool though, so keep that in mind. This is a good swimsuit for a vacation with your husband. Shop the bikini top here and the bikini bottoms here.
This Pucker Texture Square Neck Bikini Top and Bottom set is SO similar to Hunza G. I love the bright color (not too bright, not too boring). The fit is really good, and the straps are adjustable. I also appreciate that the bottoms are high waisted since no mom wants to wear a low waisted bikini. I got a medium in the top and small in the bottoms.
I was blown away when I first tried on this scalloped one-shoulder bikini. First of all, it looks much more expensive than it is. And second – it fits PERFECTLY. I find that it’s rare for an Amazon bikini to truly fit perfectly, but this one does! I’m wearing an XS.
J.Crew is always one of my go-tos when shopping for swimsuits, since their styles fit really well, and the quality is top notch. This hot pink bikini top is a perfect option for our neighborhood pool, since it’s flattering but not too revealing. I’m wearing it with the J.Crew Classic Full Coverage Bikini Bottom in this fun Bright Cerise color.
Isn’t this black & white colorblock bikini fun? When I first saw the contrasting color blocking I was sold. I’m wearing a size small in this set, and it runs just slightly large.
Yet another Amazon find :). This colorblock bikini set is both sporty and feminine, and a great option for a neighborhood pool. The bottoms are full coverage, which is always what I look for! I also love that the straps on the top are adjustable. I’m wearing a small in this set, and it fits well.
This pink bikini set is a Hunza dupe, but it’s from Amazon. I got it two years ago for our beach trip with my brother’s family, and it was the perfect two piece option. I love how secure it felt even as I chased Thomas all over the beach! It comes in lots of colors, but I’m wearing the “Rose Red” in a size small. The bottoms have good, full coverage. Oh! And you can’t beat the $29 price tag. I would have ordered an XS if they had it, but the small was still okay.
My Amazon visor has also been amazing; it has so much coverage, but because there’s no brim on the back, you can lean your head back on your chair!
Another amazing Amazon find from last year that’s still available! This bright orange set was another great option for chasing Thomas around on the beach. The bum has full coverage, and the color makes anyone look tan. I have an XS in this set.
I have a handful of swimsuit cover-ups from Amazon that I LOVE. The first is this long crochet coverup that I bought for our anniversary trip to Dominica last year. I love the length and that you can see my swimsuit through it but still feel appropriate for lunch by the pool.
My next pick is this short crochet coverup also from Amazon. I love the open back and the relaxed fit. I have a size small.
Happy swimming and lounging! And don’t forget sunscreen! Here’s a list of my favorite non-toxic sunscreens.
All of these swimsuits were independently selected by me and no brand paid me to include them.
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3 responses to “The Most Flattering Swimsuits for Moms (tried on by an actual mom)”
LOVE the blue&pink 2-piece you wore on your honeymoon — where’s it from?
It’s from Target!! They have so many cute high neck swimsuits!!
[…] for summer bathing suit inspiration? My friend Teri has an awesome collection of one and two pieces. You should also read her Boston Marathon Race […]