The Index: One-Piece Swimsuits

Five swimsuits I own and love (on my size XL body).

With Memorial Day weekend means summer is unofficially about to start…which also means it is swimsuit season…!

Candidly, swimsuit season has never been my favorite…I just don’t feel the most confident while wearing one. But over the years, I have learned that no matter my size, I should still enjoy going for a ocean swim or a dip in the pool. One thing that’s helped give me a little more confidence while partaking in a summer activity that requires a swimsuit is wearing one that I know fits me well. If I like my outfit, it just makes the day or activity that much easier and more enjoyable.

I’m pretty firmly a one-piece swimsuit gal and over time, have curated my swimsuit collection to include only styles that I know work well for me. While swimsuit shopping is somewhat like jean shopping (you have to try on a lot to see what works), I do think it is worth the effort to find some that make you feel your best!

Below, you will find five swimsuits I own and wear regularly. Some I’ve had for years and others are new finds. All of them work well for my size XL body but I think would be great no matter what size you are.

I’m sure I have only scratched the surface in terms of great one-piece swimsuits, so let me know in the comments if you have any other one-piece suits you recommend I (we) try this summer?

1. Sunday Suit from Left on Friday - $180

• Promo: NANPHILIP10 for 10% off any Left on Friday order

• Super comfortable! 

• Sizes XS - XXL and available in two lengths (regular and tall), 20 colors

• Left on Friday is a new to me brand based out of Canada that was founded by two former Lululemon employees. All of their suits are made of their Smoothing Dream Fabric™ that feels amazingly smooth to the touch (and makes the suit extremely comfy!). Out of all these one-pieces that I own, I would say my Left on Friday suit is the most easy and comfortable! One thing to note for the bigger-chested gals is that their suits do not have bra cups/padding… but at the same time, it’s also nice not to constantly be readjusting padding. (I have heard some woman say they wear silicone nipple covers under these suits.) 

• Another key selling point for Left on Friday - their one-pieces come in two lengths, regular and tall. So all my fellow tall gals with long torsos, this brand might be for you!

• Sizing Notes:

  • I ordered my true size, XL.

  • It’s worth noting that I am really impressed by all the details and advice you can find on the Left on Friday website in relation to sizing. They have countless customer photos in all their sizes, which I found really helpful.

• Disclaimer: I received this suit as a gift from the brand.

2. The Scrunch One Piece in Navy from Show Me Your Mumu - $158 

• Most flattering! 

• Sizes XS - 3x, 8 colors (but I can only suggest Navy or Pink, see note below)

• My friend Sabrina Chazen (the queen of size-inclusive shopping) created this navy (and pink) swimsuit in collaboration with Show Me Your Mumu. The suit uses a special power hold technology to help hold everything in ;) and is available in inclusive sizing. I ordered right when it launched this spring and can’t wait to wear it all summer! If you have a bigger bust, this could be a great suit thanks to the thicker straps. 

• Sizing Notes:

  • The pink and navy colorways are the two colors that Sabrina helped designed. So those two colors are made to Sabrina’s measurements and will be the better size inclusive option. (The other colors are designed off of a smaller fit model.)

  • This suit runs a tad small so if you are in-between sizes, I would size up. I took a size XXL instead of my true size XL and it fits perfectly!

3. Square Neck Sculpting Swimsuit from Stylest  - $198 

• Best waist definition 

• Sizes XS - 2x, 10+ colors

• I’ve raved about this swimsuit so many times! To me, it is the perfect flattering one-piece that smooths you out and sucks everything in. Stylest specializes in shapewear swimsuits, so their pieces offer smoothing compression in all the right places. When I really want to look GOOD in my swimsuit, this is the one I wear.

• Sizing Notes:

  • Due to the compression, I find their suits run a tad small so I size up one size. Based on their size chart I should be a 1x but instead I order the 2x.

  • They also sell a strapless swim bra that you can layer underneath the suit, but I don’t own it and I find that I still get the smoothing compression effect with just the suit. 

  • I should note that I wish they offered long torso options, because sometimes the suit feels a bit short for my 5’11 height. 

4. Ruched V-Neck One Piece from J.Crew - usually $118 (but currently on sale for under $50!)

• Best price! 

• Sizes: 0-24, available in two lengths (classic and long), 14+ colors

• I’ve bought J.Crew swimsuits for years (thanks to their range of styles and size inclusive options). However, I can’t say they always hold up that well. Out of all these options, I find these look the most tired / worn after one season of wear. BUT I am still including here because J.Crew’s swimwear is a great option if you want to spend less than $100. They also offer tons of fun colors and patterns!

• J.Crew swim goes on sale ALL THE TIME so I would suggest only buying their swimsuits when they are on sale! With the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, most of their swimwear is currently discounted, so now would be a great time to buy!

• Sizing notes:

  • I take my true size in J.Crew swim (size 16, long torso).

5. Les Essentials Aquarelle Swimsuit from Eres - $415 

• A splurge!

• Sizes FR36 - FR48 (US 4 - US16), 19 colors

• Eres swimsuits are a total splurge! For years, I couldn’t understand how someone justified spending so much on a swimsuit…but then, in classic Nan fashion, I caved and bought one. And let me tell you, now I get the hype! They are fancy and luxe! I love the classic cut of their suits and the fabric is really soft and comfortable. However, do any of us really need a $400+ swimsuit…probably not. (As always, don’t come to me for financial advice, ha!)

• Sizing notes:

  • Sadly, this is the least size inclusive option…

  • I would take your true size. The fabric is quite stretchy, so you could maybe size down but I think better to just stick with your true size. I wear size FR48/US16.

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What one-piece swimsuit do you own and love?!

I’ve heard people rave about (and seen Instagram ads for) Summersalt and Andie Swim, so those brands are on my radar but I don’t own anything from them and can’t speak from personal experience.

Let us know in the comments below if you have tried those brands or have any other favorites you recommend!