While Dalbesio suggested a couple of bra-silhouette styles, I liked this triangle-shaped top from the line best of all. Typically, this silhouette can call for a lot of adjusting to get the desired shape and avoid sideboob. However, when I tried it on, it was obvious it was made for a bustier frame. While the top is one-size-fits-all, it’s easily adjustable—I could wrap it tighter for a more snug fit but also found there was room to adjust for someone a couple sizes larger than me as well.
Mikoh Portugal One-piece
As mentioned before, finding a well-fitting suit is only partly about size. Ultimately I want a suit I feel fits me and makes me feel comfortable, confident, and like myself. In trying each suit, I realized "fit" wasn't based solely on the number on the tag, but also in how confident I’d feel wearing it beyond the walls of my apartment. Did I feel supported but not constrained? Was my shape defined but not exposed beyond my comfort? Did it complement my personal style? The best options did all these as well as physically fit in terms of measurements. So while this Mikoh style was cut smaller on me than other one-piece options, it feels amazing and easily qualifies as a favorite. Mikoh’s fabrics are some of the softest I’ve tried in swimwear, but they’re still stretchy enough that they emphasize my natural shape in a way that makes me feel good. And though I wouldn’t normally choose a very flimsy strap, these delicate ones somehow don’t dig or fall.
Malia Mills Rose Swim Top
I enjoy dressing my frame much more now than I did as a teen, but I’m admittedly still self-conscious about showing a lot of cleavage. Not in this swimsuit: It offers what a good bra should—an underwire that doesn't cut into you and a secure hold so you can enjoy cleavage without fear that it’s out of your control. I also like that the straps adjust to a crisscross in the back to provide a slight extra lift, but that’s more a personal preference.
Land of Women Neva Cross-Back One-piece
If you don’t need or want a ton of lift and prefer a more natural breast shape, this swimsuit is a must-try. It's comfortable, soft, and refreshingly easy to wear. Also, with its wide straps that curve slightly along the side of the body, there’s a subtle bit of extra support along the side of the bust too.
Lonely Connie Bikini
As previously mentioned, narrow, shelf-bra swim tops have not often been my friend, but I love that this style from Lonely cuts a bit more generously. Here was no potential underboob or spilling out the top—which is, personally, ideal. And it’s available from XS to XL.
Parfait Farah High Apex Unlined Bikini Swim Top
Ruffles on swimwear aren’t typically my thing, but at the recommendation of Grace Baker, Parfait’s director of technical design and fit, I made an exception. “We like to use fabric with more spandex content, use special lining fabric to help support the bust along with the underwire, and even use molded foam cups to give shape,” she says of this suit’s key features. As soon as I tried on this top—with its underwire, crisscross straps, bra clasp, and tiny X-shaped detail just at the cleavage—I felt ready for anything. A swim, a Jet Ski ride, or a Baywatch sprint along the sand.
Andie The Tulum
For starters, I spent a few extra minutes sitting around in this swimsuit just because the ribbed material is so comfortable.The shape is impressive too. While Baker suggests that low-back styles don’t offer the best support for a bustier frame, the crisscross detail on this one helps to remedy that while still creating a pretty, open silhouette.
As for the Others...
I’m glad to report there were no major disappointments in this experiment. In fact, there were plenty of other suits I ended up really liking. In no particular order, here are some honorable mentions—and what they got right.
