The 15 Best Swim Dresses for Summer, According to Shopping Editors and Swim Style Pros

Swimsuit season is well underway, which might bring on a swell of excitement and dread.

Wearing a swim dress, often a one-piece suit with an attached skirt, can be a great way to feel more secure thanks to its extra hip, tummy, and thigh coverage, plus added sun protection.

To help you look and feel more confident while waterside this summer, we’ve scoured the internet and chatted with swim experts to find the absolute best swim dresses, considering every budget, shape, and style.

Best Under $50

It’s hard to justify paying a lot for swimwear given how little material is offered, but it’s possible to find affordable, high-quality options from major retailers and online boutiques. While you could wait until companies discount inventory in the fall, we found some affordable swim dresses you can buy now from Cupshe, Tempt Me, and more.

Cupshe Ruched Cross Back Swim Dress

Cupshe prides itself on affordable, quality swimwear: a claim proven by this top-rated swim dress. “[It’s] really flattering, well made, comfortable, and makes me feel really pretty,” wrote one reviewer. Its crossed neckline (seen on wrap dresses) creates an hourglass shape, and the ruffled skirt helps disguise the midsection. However, some reviewers say it’s not suitable for long torsos, and we wish it came in more sizes. 

Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 5

Shapermint Essentials Swim Dress

This budget-friendly Shapermint swim dress fits dress sizes 2 to 24. The empire waist and elongated polka-dot pattern have a lengthening effect ideal for petite and pear-shaped frames, and the twisted bust knot draws the eye up and adds shape. One five-star reviewer loved its "beautiful design" and "excellent construction.” 

Material: Polyamide, elastane | Sizes: S–4XL | Colors: 5

Duluth Trading Co. AKHG Lost Lake Swim Dress in Vintage Orchid

If you’re looking for an affordable swim dress with functional details, this little Duluth Trading Co. number is for you. Like an exercise dress, its built-in shorts have silicon grippers to keep them in place, hidden side pockets for your phone, and a “call-of-nature” panel to use instead of stripping down for bathroom visits. It’s also available in black and floral prints for plus sizes.

Material: Recycled nylon, lycra spandex | Sizes: 4–18 | Colors: 4

Tempt Me One-Shoulder Swim Dress

Modest yet stylish, this Amazon gem is a quality find for a low price. The single-shoulder look works well for athletic or rectangular body types looking to make a bold statement. However, it may not be the best for those with short torsos, as some wearers say it runs long and might leave funky tan lines after laying out.

Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: XS–XXL, 18 Plus  | Colors: 6

Best Plus-Size

Fashionable size-inclusive swimwear can be challenging to find, but brands like Meet.Curve, BloomChic, and Torrid have cute and affordable swim dresses up to sizes 4X and 6X. When shopping, consider features that help accentuate or minimize certain areas, like a tummy-control lining, a fitted waist to flatter your midsection, or a high-coverage neckline to secure your chest.

Meet.Curve Red Floral Printed Swim Dress

This swim dress’s ruffled, off-the-shoulder sleeves cover the upper arms and balance pear and hourglass frames alike. Its free-flowing skirt and tummy-control lining also conceal and slim the booty, hips, and tummy. One reviewer said it best: “It covers all the areas I didn’t want [to be] exposed.” If red isn’t your color, it also comes in green, blue, and black.

Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: M–4XL | Colors: 4

BloomChic Twist Front Patchwork Adjustable Straps Swim Dress

If you need extra chest support, this style’s heart neckline has high coverage and a twisted design to shape and define your bust. Its fit-and-flare silhouette complements nearly all body shapes as it cinches the waist and grazes over hips and thighs. Shoppers love the separate bottoms for easier bathroom visits, with one sharing, “This is one of the most comfortable and flattering swimsuits I’ve ever owned.” 

Material: Polyester, spandex | Sizes: M–6X | Colors: 4

Torrid Wireless Mid Lace Trimmed Swim Dress in Deep Black

DeAngelis says solid colors elongate your frame, and that A-line dresses are “very flattering." We took her advice and found this all-black Torrid piece ideal for romantic getaways. Its low-coverage bra may not suit larger cup sizes, but the adjustable crisscross straps lend extra support.

Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: M–6X | Colors: 4

Anne Cole Plus-Size Amalfi Floral Swim Dress

Five-star reviewers say this vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired piece garners many compliments, making it a stylish pick for upcoming trips and outdoor get-togethers. Like the Cupshe swim dress, the fabric asymmetrically gathers at the elastic waistband for an hourglass effect on nearly all body types. 

Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: 16W–18W | Colors: 1

Best for Big Busts

“As someone with an E cup, I need anything I wear swim-wise to be supportive,” says entrepreneur and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Lauren Chan. DeAngelis adds that support can come from underwire bras, wide adjustable straps, molded cups, and chest-stabilizing or minimizing necklines.

L.L.Bean Women’s Shaping Swimwear, Clasp Halter Dress

Chan recommends this L.L.Bean swim dress for those with larger chests. It has a shelf bra with fixed soft cups and an adjustable halter strap to customize support. This style has a compressive fit to shape your figure and comes in a breathable, quick-dry fabric that’s also chlorine-resistant and protects skin from UV rays. The swim dress has the most comprehensive size range on our list.

Material: Nylon, lycra | Sizes: Regular and Long 8–18; Plus 18W–26W | Colors: 2

Bravissimo Swim Dress

Consider this Bravissimo swim dress made for you if you wear a cup size E, F, G, or H. It has an adjustable halter neckline similar to the L.L.Bean style but with an underwire bra for defined support. The downside is it’s only available in black, but every review gave it a 4/5 for comfort — and one shopper who wears a 32H wrote, “My boobs are lifted and look good!” 

One of our editors also has a large bust and loves Bravissimo swimsuits for the chest support. 

Material: Polyamide, elastane, polyester | Band Sizes: 32–40 | Bra Sizes: E–H | Colors: 1

Swimsuits for All High Neck Wrap Swim Dress

Our most affordable swim dress for a big bust also offers the most color variations. It has a shelf bra with sewn-in molded cups for sizes C to DD and mesh lining for an extra support layer. The high crisscross neckline is adjustable and ideal for those who prefer coverage over cleavage, leaving fewer opportunities for nip slips or side boob. 

Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: 8–26 | Colors: 6

Capriosca Swimwear Navy and White Dots Underwire Swim Dress

We love how Curvy Swimwear lets you shop by cup sizes B to G, which is how we found this polka-dot underwire style with adjustable straps for sizes DD and E. It’s best to save this one for beach days since it’s not chlorine-resistant, but the fabric does protect skin from UV rays. Also, Australian sizes typically run smaller than American, so we suggest referencing the brand’s international size conversion.

Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: US 6–22 | Colors: 1

Best for Maternity

One of swimwear’s perks is its stretchy material, which lends itself to maternity style. However, some of your current suits may not fit how they used to. As your body changes, show yourself some love with swim dresses featuring “tummy-control lining or a halter top to help with support,” suggests DeAngelis. “A more form-fitting silhouette can also show off your new curves.” 

Old Navy Maternity Scoop Neck Swim Dress

Old Navy is the spot for affordable maternity styles, embodied by this simple, effective, and sporty swim dress. Its thick adjustable straps support your chest, and its flexible shirred sides provide comfort and shape. One reviewer wrote that she “love[s] the way it fits my bump” and how it’s “comfortable but doesn’t look sloppy.” 

 Material: Recycled polyester, spandex | Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 2

Seraphine Floral Print Maternity Swimsuit Dress

If you prefer a looser fit, try this floral Seraphine style. The empire-waist skirt gently drapes over curves, though it can be tied by the hip slit to accentuate your bump. We especially appreciate the deep-V neckline for easy breast access while nursing or pumping. 

Material: Nylon, elastane, polyester | Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 1

Glow & Grow Maternity UPF 50+ Colorblock Swimsuit

This retro halter-neck style is another affordable maternity piece. Its side ruching and waist pleat flatter your frame and make way for a growing belly. Its stretchy fabric contains Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) 50+, which shields skin from 98 percent of the sun’s rays, and its black hue helps further absorb radiation. 

Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: XS–2X | Colors: 1

What to Know About Swim Dresses 

Sizing

Sizing drastically varies by brand, so “try to ignore the size and instead read the measurements on the size chart [or] garment details,” suggests Chan. “The goal is to get yourself a piece that fits, supports, and allows you to have a great time… regardless of the number on the tag.” 

Caldwell agrees, especially if your body has changed since last summer, which is normal. “Squeezing into something that droops and doesn’t support [you] is a recipe for feeling insecure and awkward. Fit always equals comfort, and comfort leads to confidence.”

Both experts recommend working with professionals, such as taking your swimwear to a tailor for a custom fit or going to a bra-fitting boutique for guidance on swim-bust support. 

Material

Polyester: “Polyester is best for plus-sized, larger-chested, or pregnant/postpartum women. It compresses and supports comfortably and holds its shape well,” DeAngelis says. The BloomChic Solid Twist Front Swim Dress and Bravissimo Swim Dress feature this durable, fast-drying fabric suitable for the pool and ocean. 

Nylon: It's the most common swimwear fabric because “it’s lightweight yet strong, dries quickly, and fits snuggly but fades quickly if exposed to chlorine.” If you’re going swimming, consider a chlorine-resistant option, like the L.L.Bean Women’s Shaping Swimwear Clasp Halter Dress.

Elastane: This is the generic name for Spandex and Lycra, and it has a “great fit” and “is resistant to perspiration and body odors,” as seen in the Shapermint Essentials Swim Dress and Seraphine Floral Print Maternity Swimsuit Dress.

Activity

“Just like shoes or bras, it’s okay to have different bathing suits for different occasions and activities [that] will help you feel your best,” Caldwell explains. You may prefer the Duluth Trading Co. AKHG Lost Lake Swim Dress and the Old Navy Maternity Scoop Neck Swim Dress for the waterpark or playing beach games, while the Tempt Me One-Shoulder Swim Dress can be a style statement you wear to pool parties or on vacations.

Add to Cart

What should you wear with your new swim dress? Try these PEOPLE-Tested summer essentials for head-to-toe style and comfort.

Edie Cat Eye Crystal Pink Sunglasses

Our team uncovered the 20 best women’s sunglasses, including these pink cat-eye frames. Our PEOPLE shopping writer, Cai Cramer, loves to wear them to spice up any warm-weather outfit.

Clarks Women’s Breeze Sea Flip Flop

These Clarks sandals have repeatedly made our best flip-flops list for their thick, arch-supporting soles, adjustable straps, and lasting value — qualities that have led them to 74,000+ five-star ratings on Amazon. 

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Kate Watson is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE with seven years of fashion writing experience. For this story, she researched endless amounts of swim dresses online, considering customer reviews, prices, silhouettes, colors, and design features. She also interviewed swim-style experts about how to find a quality swim dress fit for your budget and body type. Kate used all of these insights and research to compile and curate the best swim dresses available for summer 2024.