Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • WeLoveUs.shop
  • 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home • News

Summer Swimsuit Guide

You asked and our fashion editors answered. Checkout these swimsuit solutions to rock your body this summer!
By Celia L. Smith, Reneise Francis · Updated October 28, 2020
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
01
Busty Babes

Calandra Williams (via Facebook): “Finding stylish and supportive suits for ladies with large breast.”

Reneise Francis, Market Editor: “Panache and Cleo by Panache swimwear has made this their mission, priding themselves on superior construction for well-endowed woman but not sacrificing style. Look no further Calandra, this bikini brand offers tops in 30-38 D-K and XS-XXXL bottoms.”

“Halle” balconette bikini top, $59, and brief, $36, barenecessities.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
02
Bra Strap Bikinis

@sharron28 (via Instagram): “What about tops that have straps like bras?

Celia Smith, Fashion Editor: “You would think bikini tops with bra straps would be a no-brainer, but apparently not. Only few brands (including Panache) get the memo that one size does not adjust to all. Anita Paradise Grove Frederica is another one, it’s built like a brassiere with underwire, supportive three-part cups and adjustable straps.”

Printed bikini (available in 32-38, C-I), Anita Paradise Grove Frederica, $109, lindasonline.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
03
Bra Strap Bikinis

“Savannah” bikini top (30-38, D-G), Panache, $59, bottom (XS-XXXL), $36, herroom.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
04
Bra Strap Bikinis

Paisley print balconette top, Becca by Rebecca Virtue (S-L), $88, bottom (S-XL), $54, lordandtaylor.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
05
Sexy One Piece

@leek6 (via Instagram): “Where are the sexy one-pieces?”

Bettina Prophete, Fashion Assistant: “I’ve got a few! The plunging neckline of this suit is a great way to show skin while the contouring floral pattern gives a body-con effect.“

Tropical print, ASOS, $59, asos.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
06
Sexy One Piece

“This bright hued monokini is another hot style, it easily creates the illusion of curves,” explains Prophete.

Cut-out bandeau swimsuit, Penelope, $36, missguidedus.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
07
Sexy One Piece

One shoulder swimsuit, Karla Colletto, $340, everythingbutwater.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
08
Curvy Cover-Ups

Lauren M. Gilbert (via Facebook): “Where are the sexy suits that cover the midsection due to
childbearing?”

Reneise Francis: “Brands like Miraclesuit and Spanx specifically targeting curvy girls are great for this because they have shapewear technology in their swimsuits.”

Block Island Barcelona swimsuit (8-16), Miraclesuit, $152, miraclesuit.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
09
Curvy Cover-Ups

“Isabella” ruffled one-piece (8-16), Miraclesuit, $144, miraclesuit.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
10
Curvy Cover-Ups

“The combination of prints and ruching cleverly disguises the mid-section in a retro-chic kind of way.”

Polka dot ruched swimsuit (1x-4x), Old Navy, $55, oldnavy.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
11
Curvy Cover-Ups

Swim dress, Betsey Johnson, $118, bloomingdales.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
12
Curvy Cover-Ups

“This corset style perfectly cinches in the mid-section, while the ruching draws the fabric and eyes to the center for a more slimming illusion.”

Braided core one-piece (size 6-18), Spanx, $198, spanx.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
13
Try The Trend: Sexy Sorbet

Leslie Sisterlock (via Facebook): “What’s the hot swimsuit colors (trends) for this summer?”

“Pretty pastels were seen all over the spring runways and are also on-trend for swimwear,” dishes Prophete. “Stay refreshed this summer in these popular pastel hues inspired by the cool treat.”

Crochet one-piece, Mikoh, $194, sundancebeach.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
14
Try The Trend: Sexy Sorbet

Twisted bandeau bikini, Palma, $28, boohoo.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
15
Try The Trend: Sexy Sorbet

Watercolor halter bikini top, Forever21, $14, bottom, $13, forever21.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
16
Try The Trend: Sexy Sorbet

Fringe one-piece, Alloy, $32, alloy.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
17
Try The Trend: Sexy Sorbet

Fringe bikini top, H&M, $5, bottom, $5, hm.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
18
Try The Trend: Metallics

“These can’t-miss-me shades stick around season-after-season, so get your shine-on!” says Prophete.

Plunge drape swimsuit, Jeyts, price available upon request, jets.com.au.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
19
Try The Trend: Metallics

Foil bikini, Miss Selfridge, $46, misselfridge.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
20
Try The Trend: Metallics

“Sally” bikini, Oye, $350, oyeswimwear.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
21
Try The Trend: Metallics

Neoprene bikini, Lisa Marie, $300, netaporter.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
22
Try The Trend: Stylish Stripes

“Bringing it back to the basics with these two contrasting colors was a major trend. This summer, there’s never been a surer way to be so sophisticated than in black & white.”

“Shane” cut-out swimsuit, Norma Kamali, $157, netaporter.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
23
Try The Trend: Stylish Stripes

“Leanna” striped bandeau bikini, Misguided, $30, missguidedus.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
24
Try The Trend: Stylish Stripes

“Classic stripes get a facelift with bright colors and fun silhouettes. All-American with a twist.”

Colorblocked stripes, Camila and Marc, $199, shopbop.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide
25
Try The Trend: Stylish Stripes

Triangle bikini, Boohoo, $28, boohoo.com.

Summer Swimsuit Guide