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I put off buying swimwear for a long time after transitioning. It’s not that I didn’t want to swim, but as a woman with a penis — well, let's just say that most of the women’s options I looked at felt mismatched with my anatomy, threatening a dicks-out-on-the-beach scenario I’d rather avoid. I found it easier to stay out of the water altogether than to force myself into a bikini or one-piece that didn’t fit, watching from the sidelines as others had fun at my local gay beach.
But summer is here again, and I’ve decided that this year is going to be different. More and more trans-inclusive swim brands are popping up every year, and plenty of legacy brands have great, body-inclusive choices as well. While finding them can be a struggle, in my experience, tracking down cute and affirming swimwear has been a game changer. Wearing a swimsuit that’s comfortable and secure means I can focus on having fun instead of stressing about having a body. And frankly, it just makes me feel hot; if that’s not the point of swimwear then I don’t really know what is.
Before we get to the recs, I wanted to add a little note about tucking. Generally, I don’t tuck. I absolutely love and support the folks who are actively trying to normalize and glamorize bulges at the beach, but I recognize that tucking can be a matter of safety, avoiding dysphoric thoughts, or just feeling comfortable. Tucking is an incredibly personal decision, and I’m not here to tell you what to do. This guide has gaffing options — similar to compression underwear designed to flatten your front and minimize your genitalia — that help hold tucks in place, ones that’ll compliment your body if you’re trying to show off without a tuck, and cute shorts and swim skirts that provide coverage and privacy without tucking.
With all that in mind, let’s dive in and get you to the beach.
Lots of Options for Lots of Bodies
Parade — the underwear company known for its eco-friendly designs — launched a new line of swimwear earlier this year, and it’s a seriously impressive first run at body-inclusive swim pieces. Much like with their bralettes and underwear, Parade offers a diverse range of sizes — from XS-3XL in tops and one-pieces and up to 5XL in bottoms — with a variety of styles sure to fit the vibe you’re going for. The brand also frequently uses trans models across its site, which is useful when you’re trying to envision how different pieces might fit.
So far, I’ve tried Parade’s plunge-neck one-piece ($68) and a mix-and-match bikini with the high-rise brief bottoms ($34, plus a 30% discount if you also buy a bikini top), both of which were wide enough in the crotch to feel secure. Neither feels like a true gaff, but nonetheless, both had fairly smooth silhouettes with a subtle bulge that wouldn’t be hard to hide if necessary. I would note that the padding in the bikini top is quite thin, so might not be the most flattering option for those with smaller chests looking to show off or enhance what they have. The one-piece, while fine down below, felt a bit constrictive up above, so I’d consider shopping a size up from what you normally buy.
Made for Us
If you’re transfemme and looking to spend a little more on a swimsuit, Chromat is pretty much the holy grail. Them previously called the company’s Tourmaline collection “revolutionary swimwear for those who choose not to tuck,” and its website loudly states that the collection was designed with trans girls and other gender non-conforming folks front of mind. I know capitalism will not save us, but it still feels cool to see something actually made for your kind of body for a change.
The entire collection is worth checking out, but my favorite piece is the swim skirt ($128), which features built-in shorts and mesh pockets under its ruffled red exterior. That practicality is backed up with a modest flare to accentuate the hips, and a cute femme vibe that’d be easy to match with a bikini top, swim shirt, or cozy tee.
I like to give money to trans creators and designers when I can, particularly when it comes to gender-affirming clothing, but designer options can be expensive. If Chromat gear is outside of your budget, we have cheaper skirts below.
Great for Tucking
In my world, TomboyX is known for trans-friendly garments like its compression tops, so finding this gaff-like bikini bottom ($54, currently on sale for $27) in their swimwear lineup was no shock. Of all the swimsuits I’ve tested, this bottom created the smoothest profile in my crotch and comfortably held a tuck in and out of the water. I should emphasize the word comfortably there. As I mentioned in the intro, I don’t tuck often, so finding a set of truly comfortable and compact swim bottoms like these was a very welcome surprise.
Honestly, my biggest complaint with the TomboyX bottoms is that they don’t have more prints available, as the ribbed turquoise and black options are both a little boring. If color is a non-negotiable for you, I’d look into some of the tuck-friendly swimwear available on Etsy. Try sellers like GenderBenderLLC (bikini bottom for $58) and Gaff and Go (one-piece for $80), both of which offer styles explicitly designed for those who tuck. Their suits can be made in a variety of colors, patterns, and materials to suit your wants, needs, and dreams. Frustratingly, gaffs can be pricier than other swim options, but if you’re going to tuck at the beach, I’d recommend investing in a good quality one to avoid hurting yourself.
A Bulge-Friendly Bikini
If I’m going to a queer beach, pool, or other trans-friendly place to swim, this bikini set from Lively ($72) has become my go-to choice. The top features light padding and a comfy lift that’s flattering for my smaller chest. The bottoms, meanwhile, have a wide inseam that offers enough hold and coverage to keep my package under control without squeezing or pinching, creating a cute little bulge. When it comes to styles, Lively has a pretty good spread of colors and patterns, from simple solids to swooshy-swirly prints and ruffled textures. While they probably wouldn’t be enough to hold a tuck on their own, you could certainly pair them with some water-safe tape if that’s your jam. If the set feels too expensive as a whole, you could also pair the bottoms ($45) — which are the main selling point IMO — with a more affordable top.
Skirt Skirt
Swim skirts are generally a great option if you don’t like to show off a lot of bulge but also don’t want to tuck. As I mentioned above, the Tourmaline skirt by Chromat is an incredible gender-inclusive option, though it’s often out of stock. I was also impressed by this simple black skirt ($75) by Australian brand Sea Level, which has a similar flared cut and is lined with built-in swim briefs. Amazon and Walmart ($20) offer low-cost options if you're on a budget. More broadly, I’d recommend shopping for a swim skirt with shorts, briefs, or some other liner so you can keep things simple without needing to pair the skirt with a separate set of swim bottoms.
Something More Butch
If tight bikinis aren’t your speed or you’re going for a slightly more androgynous look, swim shorts are a great option for modesty and comfort alike. I’m a huge fan of the outdoor brand Patagonia’s Baggies line, which is available with both a 2.5-inch and 5-inch inseam depending on how much leg you want to show, with plenty of funky patterns to boot. The cut hangs slightly off the body, creating its namesake baggy silhouette and minimizing bulge without requiring a tuck. When wet, the shorts dry fairly quickly without clinging too closely to your skin or feeling sticky.
The 5-inch “men’s” and “women’s” Baggies are nearly identical, with one notable difference being that the men’s Baggies ($65) come with a mesh liner that provides some extra support. When I was trying both, the netting in the men’s option gave me some added peace of mind that my bits would stay put. At the same time, the women’s Baggies ($59, on sale for $29) cost a bit less, so you can’t really go wrong. Anyway, clothes don’t have genders, so do whatever feels best.
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