Your 2025 Swim Style Guide: Confidence-Boosting Suits & Must-Have Cover-Ups
SWIMSUIT (2X) | SIMILAR STYLES
Your Guide to
Swimwear, Cover-ups
& Confidence
Whether you’re headed somewhere tropical or just soaking up the sunshine close to home, this is your one-stop swim guide. I’ve pulled together my favorite one-pieces, two-pieces, bump-friendly options, supportive underwire styles, and all the extras, from breezy cover-ups to the sunglasses that finish the look. For even more inspiration, you can browse my dedicated collections on LTK, including swimwear, cover-ups & resort wear (featuring looks from Miami, the BVIs, and Anguilla), and my most recent cruise outfits.
No matter your destination or comfort zone, you’ll find pieces here designed to help you feel confident, supported, and stylish.
Quick Tips That Help Me Feel My Best in a Swimsuit
When it comes to swimwear, I’d rather have one or two high-quality suits that make me feel amazing than a whole drawer of ones I’m constantly adjusting. Supportive, well-made styles make all the difference.
One thing I’ve learned over the years? Most people aren’t paying as much attention to you as you think—it’s more about how you feel. I like to test out new styles in low-pressure settings, like at home or on a trip where I’m not likely to bump into someone I know. Confidence is like a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets. I shared more about my own confidence journey in this post, and again, addressing postpartum/hormonal changes in this post!
And let’s be real, sometimes a little glow helps. If you can’t tone it, tan it! I’ve shared my favorite sunless tanners here, along with my whole routine on how to DIY successfully at home.
Also, if you’re over those awful removable pads in swimsuits (same), I swear by CAKES Body nipple covers. They come in different shapes and sizes, triangles are great for bikini tops, and offer a reusable, water-friendly way to smooth things out while keeping things modest. You can use CARALYNM towards your purchase too for a nice discount!
Lastly, bikini line maintenance. I’ve shared my experience with laser hair removal and again 3.5 years later here, but if you’re not quite ready for that route, I’ve rounded up my go-to shaving and grooming options here.
DRESS (XL) | SWIMSUIT (2X) | SHOP THE LOOK
let’s shop:
One-PIECE SWIMSUITS
If you haven’t already noticed, I’m a one-piece loyalist. They’re easy, versatile, and depending on the style, can offer everything from light to serious support. But not all one-pieces are created equal, so let’s break it down:
• Shelf bras offer light to moderate support. These are great if you’re lounging more than you’re swimming.
• Flex wires (a soft, flexible wire under the bust) give moderate to high support without the structure of a full underwire.
• Underwire suits offer the most support and shape, especially helpful for larger busts or anyone wanting a little more lift.
If support is a priority for you, keep scrolling… I have a dedicated section just for underwire swimsuits. But first, here are some of my favorite places to shop for one-pieces, at a range of price points:
AMAZON (link to my curated list) | ANDIE SWIM | BODEN | BRAVISSIMO (OFFERS VIRTUAL FITTINGS) | CITY CHIC | HILOR | J.CREW (LONG TORSO OPTIONS)| LA BLANCA | LANDS’ END | LILLY PULITZER | MAURICES | MIRACLESUIT | OLD NAVY | SUMMERSALT (LONG TORSO OPTIONS - USE CARALYN10) | SHOW ME YOUR MUMU | SWIMSUITS FOR ALL | TA3 | TEMPTME
let’s shop:
TWO-PIECE SWIMSUITS
I’ll be honest, I don’t reach for bikinis or tankinis all that often. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t amazing options, especially if one-pieces don’t quite work for you or you just love a two-piece moment. The beauty of two-pieces? You can mix and match. That means more flexibility in sizing (a win if you’re a different size on top and bottom) and more opportunity to play with styles, cuts, and colors.
If you’re looking for supportive options like underwire bikinis or tankinis, keep scrolling—there’s a whole section dedicated to that below. But in the meantime, here are some of my favorite places to shop two-piece swimsuits:
AERIE | AMAZON | ANDIE SWIM | BARE NECESSITIES | BODEN | BRAVISSIMO | CITY CHIC | HERROOM | J.CREW | LANDS’ END | MAURICES | MACY’S | OLD NAVY | SWIMSUITS FOR ALL
Let’s talk:
UNDERWIRE SWIMSUITS
If support, lift, and shape are high on your swimsuit wishlist, underwire styles are where it’s at. Whether you prefer a bikini, tankini, or one-piece, underwire swimwear can offer that structured, bra-like fit that makes all the difference.
But here’s the thing: fit matters. If you haven’t been properly fitted for a bra in the last 6–12 months, I highly recommend it, either at a local boutique, Nordstrom, or even virtually. One of my favorite brands, Bravissimo, offers virtual fittings for both bras and swimwear, and I had a great experience with it.
Once you know your correct bra size, shopping for an underwire swimsuit becomes so much easier. A tip I swear by? I usually go with my sister size in swimwear… one band size up, one cup size down, for a bit more comfort in the band. (So if I wear a 34GG in bras, I’ll go for a 36G in swimsuits.) I break this down more here on Instagram if you want a visual.
Here are some of my go-to places to shop for underwire swim styles:
(Just double-check the product description—these brands carry both wired and non-wired styles.)
BARE NECESSITIES | BODEN | BRAVISSIMO | CHANTELLE | ELOMI | FREYA | FANTASIE |
HERROOM | MIRACLESUIT | SHAN | PANACHE | PRIMA DONNA
Let’s talk:
MATERNITY SWIMSUIT PICKS
I’m able to speak from first-hand experience on this one…and let me tell you, finding a swimsuit that fits and makes you feel good during pregnancy is truly underrated.
Up until the end of my second trimester (and even into my third), I was able to size up in regular suits. One of my favorite tricks? Ordering my pre-pregnancy size in a long torso one-piece gave me just enough extra room without needing a full maternity style.
If you’re more of a two-piece person, the good news is you can probably get away with non-maternity styles, just size up as needed. Bikini tops and bottoms tend to be more forgiving and adjustable, so you have more flexibility to make them work with your changing body.
Whether you’re planning to spend a lot of time in a swimsuit or just need one or two, I can’t stress this enough: having one good suit that fits well made such a difference in how I felt in my ever-changing body. While some love the ease of a bikini, I personally couldn’t find one that hit me in the right spots, except for this one, so I generally stuck with supportive one-pieces, and felt amazing.
Another unexpected win? GAP maternity. Their swim options were affordable, practical, and cute.
AMAZON | ASOS | GAP | J.CREW (buy long torso) |
KINDRED BRAVERLY | SUMMERSALT (use caralyn10) | target
let’s shop:
COVER-UPS
Cover-ups are one of my favorite parts of swim style, they’re the finishing touch that can pull your whole look together and give you that extra boost of confidence. Whether you prefer something sheer and flowy, a more structured dress or romper style, or even a lightweight button-down, there’s something out there for every vibe.
Your cover-up can be as bold or as neutral as you want. If your swimsuit is bright and patterned, a simple cover-up can tone it down. If your suit is classic and minimal, a colorful or printed layer can be a fun statement. I also included a few rash guards in the mix, perfect for extra sun protection or days when you want a bit more coverage without sacrificing style.
Here are a few of my go-to places to shop for cover-ups at a variety of price points:
AMAZON | MY CURATED AMAZON LIST | ANTHROPOLOGIE | City CHIC |
COOLIBAR | J.CREW | LANDS’ END | SUMMERSALT (USE CARALYN10) | TUckernuck
Click on the image below for details and to shop.
Thanks for reading!
Over the years, I’ve shared tons of brand and style-specific swim reviews, many of which live under the Swim tab of my blog or over on social. I know it can be a lot to sift through, so if you have any questions, whether it’s about a specific brand, style, or sizing- drop them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer ASAP.
Feel free to share as much detail as you’re comfortable with… chances are, someone else is wondering the same thing and could benefit too!
xx CMK