Swimsuits That Slim You – 26 Flattering Swimsuits For Summer

Swimsuits that slim you can change your summer. A flattering swimsuit can mean the difference between jumping into that fun photo with loved ones or being forgotten from that day of fun. Or to be less dramatic, the difference between letting loose in the waves or staying sand bound in a coverup. Well, not on my watch. We’re going shopping! I know, I know — many of you hate shopping for a bathing suit. I get it! Body dysmorphia aside, the sheer number of options is overwhelming.

That’s why I am here. I can’t have my clients avoiding spectacular water fun or feeling bad about their bodies because of a rubbish swimsuit. Nope. I am going to give you tips so you can have a non-shitty swimsuit shopping experience, and, of course, direct you to my favorite slimming swimsuits this summer. Let me help you retire that one old bathing suit that looks great on you, but is starting to fall apart, and may or may not be seriously dated.

Once you’ve got your swimsuit, check out my other swim and beach-related posts to complete your look:

• How To Tie A Sarong & Best Sarongs
• When To Wear A Straw Hat + Best Straw Hats For Women
• What To Bring To The Beach: Best Beach Accessories

Characteristics Of One-Piece Swimsuits That Slim You

When hunting for a flattering one-piece bathing suit, you need to clear the clutter by filtering your search so it’s not an endless sea of elastane. First of all, skip most of those trendy complicated one-piece suits. The tan lines alone are reason enough to skip them. You also want to skip square necklines, and avoid thin, skin-tight styles that stick to every lump and curve of your torso while flattening your breasts. Instead, search for the suits that have one or more of these slimming characteristics:

1. Ruching
2. Shirring
3. An emphasis on the smallest part of your waist
4. Diagonal shapes and angles

You will see more examples of these below.

Most Flattering Bikini Bottoms

The majority of bikinis make us look like merde, pardon my French. They just have so many opportunities to ostentatiously squeeze the flesh. In short, avoid any bikini that cuts into your fat. This usually means sizing up on your bottoms, or going for a triangle bikini with side ties for closure. Side ties on bikini bottoms are the most flattering bikini style if you don’t mind revealing a lot of skin.

Another flattering bikini bottom option is one with ruched sides. Ruching effectively eliminates direct tension on that fleshy part of your body. Pictured above, is the MOST flattering bikini bottom ever made. As you can see, it has that ruching that I’m talking about! I have put this on women ranging from size 2 to size 12, from 5’0″ to 5’9″.  It flatters women with straight hips, round hips, and hips with that divot on the side (you know who you are) — it seriously flatters everyone! Pair it with your favorite black bikini top. These bottoms are available at Bloomingdale’s, Amazon, Hanky Panky, and Nordstrom. Grab these flattering bottoms while you still can!

My third favorite flattering bikini bottom style is when it is ruched down the line of the bum crack, as seen here on this PQ bikini bottom. Yet so few designers add this to their swimsuits, and when they do they expose half the ass. I feel like I am taking crazy pills. Not only does that type of ruching create a gorgeous shape for almost every woman’s bum, but it also prevents bikini bottoms from getting stretched out over time. A saggy or flat-looking bikini bottom is the bane of a long-term swimsuit relationship.

Most Flattering Swimsuit Tops

The halter style is typically the most slimming style for all body types, whether it’s a one-piece or a bikini top. But as long as the straps are at an angle or curved in some way, you’re good. Swimsuits that slim you avoid harsh right angles. For bikini tops, you also want to avoid ones that have fabric below your breasts since that will shorten your torso and enhance belly rolls. You want a bikini top to end right at the bottom of your breasts. Strapless swimsuits can also be a flattering option if you have a medium to smaller bust.

Most Slimming Swimsuits For Summer 2025

Now that you know what to look for when choosing a flattering swimsuit, let’s get shopping! Below are all the best swimsuits I’ve put on myself and my clients this year. I’ll continue to update the post with more flattering and slimming options as I come across them…

Bleu Rod Beattie Bali Breeze Exclusive Lace Down Swimsuit

As I wrote about in my post on the Best Swimwear Brands, I love Bleu Rod Beattie for flattering suits that make me feel perfectly covered in all the right places — and yet still sexy! They are experts in creating silhouettes that don’t squeeze your fat. I’m loving this Bali Breeze pattern right now, and recently put the one with the lacing down the side on a client.

Availability: The one-piece pictured on the left is available at Bleu Rod Beattie and Bloomingdale’s, and the one on the right is available at Bleu Rod Beattie.

Sizing: 4-14. Order a size up if between sizes.

Material: 75% nylon, 25% spandex

Monday Swimwear Palma Set

If you don’t mind showing some skin, this bikini set from Monday Swimwear is flattering because it has ties for closures, so you can adjust it as needed, so it’s not cutting into your fat. Also, the matching cover-up is absolute FIRE! I am loving it so much. Both the suit and cover-up are available in numerous colors, so you can pick the one that best matches your skin tone.

Availability: Available at Monday; matching bottom available here; cover-up available here

Sizing: 0-16. The swimsuits run really small (order 1-2 sizes up), while the coverups run big (order 1 size down) — annoying, I know!

Material: Self: 97% polyamide, 3% spandex; Lining: 82% recycled polyamide, 18% spandex

Soluna Shirr Delight One-Piece Swimsuit

The plunge and ruching on this Soluna one-piece are dynamite for slimming oneself. Plus, it has a tie in the back that you can adjust to minimize back fat.

Availability: Available at Amazon.

Sizing: S-XL

Material: 83% nylon, 17% spandex

Title Nine Boyshort Adjustable Bikini Bottom

This is one of my favorite bikinis for water adventures, like paddleboarding. These bottoms are modest, supportive, flattering, and fresh. When I’m active in the water, I like to show skin, but I also don’t want to be worried about anything popping out, which is why I like these boyshort bottoms. You can see me paddleboarding in them, here. I paired them with Title Nine’s Pele bikini top, which runs big. You’ll want to size down in the top.

Availability: Available at Title Nine

Sizing: XS-XL. Runs true to size.

Material: SurFlex® (78% Recycled nylon/22% elastane), UPF 50

La Blanca Island Goddess Plunge One Piece in Ivory

Availability: Available at La Blanca.

Sizing: 4-16. Order a size up if between sizes.

Material: 83% nylon, 17% elastane

Title Nine Holy Grail Bikini Bottom

Availability: Available at Title Nine.

Sizing: S-XL. Order a size up if between sizes.

Material: 78% recycled nylon, 22% elastane

Bleu Rod Beattie Smooth Operator Cap Sleeve Bikini Top & Fold Over Bikini Bottom

This swimsuit is insanely flattering. It doesn’t cut into your waist, completely hides back fat, perks up your breasts, and slims the arms!

Availability: The top is available at Bleu Rod Beattie, and the bottom is also available at Bleu Rod Beattie.

Sizing: 4-14

Material: 75% Nylon 25% Spandex

Vix Dune Li Top

Availability: Available at Vix; matching bottom here.

Sizing: S-XL. Runs small, order a size up.

Material: 84% polyamide, 6% elastane

La Blanca Beyond Off the Shoulder Ruffle One-Piece Swimsuit

Availability: Available at Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Amazon, and La Blanca.

Sizing: 4-16. Order a size up if between sizes.

Material: 83% nylon, 17% elastane

Vix Ruth Kira Tri Top

This is another flattering swimsuit for those of you comfortable with showing a lot of skin. Vix swimsuits are great because they have several different styles for the bottoms, so you can pick the one that’s most flattering for you. I usually like the Firenze tie side bottom in the cheeky version since I like to show lots of skin, but many of my clients prefer the full bottom version of the Firenze bottom.

Availability: Available at Vix; matching bottom available here

Sizing: XS-XL. Runs small, order a size up.

Material: 84% polyamide, 16% elastane

BLEU by Rod Beattie Kore Lace Down Mio One-Piece Swimsuit

Availability: Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: 4-14. Order a size up if between sizes.

Material: 75% nylon, 25% spandex

Trina Turk Women’s Plunge Wrap Front One-Piece Swimsuit

That plunge and ruching on this one-piece are chef’s kiss!

Availability: Available at Amazon

Sizing: 4-14. Order a size up if between sizes.

Material: 82% nylon, 18% elastane

Calzedonia Thong Swimsuit Bottom

If you’re looking for a flattering thong bikini, this is my favorite one ever made that I wear all the time! It has adjustable straps so it never cuts into your fat, but no strings to ruin your tan. You can see me sporting it in one of my Daily Looks. I have it in a sage green color that appears to no longer be in stock, but I recommend the black and red colors, too.

Availability: Available at Calzedonia

Sizing: S/M & M/L. I like to size up and wear a M/L.

Material: 84% polyamide, 16% elastane

La Blanca Sunshine 79 Dreamland Bandeau One Piece

Availability: Available at La Blanca.

Sizing: 2-14. Order a size up if between sizes.

Material: 83% nylon, 17% lycra elastane

Land’s End Ribbed Knot Front One Piece Swimsuit

Availability: Available at Nordstrom, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Amazon, and Land’s End.

Sizing: 2-18. Order a size up if between sizes.

Material: 92% nylon, 8% spandex

Hanky Panky Ruched High Waist Bikini Bottoms

These are the bottoms I raved about at the top of the post! Pair with any black bikini top.

Availability: Available at Bloomingdale’s, Amazon, Hanky Panky, and Nordstrom.

Sizing: XS-XL. Order a size up if between sizes.

Material: 50% recycled nylon, 29% nylon, 21% elastane

La Blanca Off the Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit in Indigo

Availability: Available at Nordstrom, Macy’s, Amazon, and La Blanca.

Sizing: 4-22. Order a size up if between sizes.

Material: 83% nylon, 17% elastane

Becca Color Code Ruched High Waist Bikini Bottoms

Availability: Available at Nordstrom and Amazon.

Sizing: XS-XXL. Order a size up if between sizes.

Material: 83% nylon, 17% spandex

This bikini top has been a gift for my flat-chested or bustier gals with smaller waists who are self-conscious about their armpit fat or wider arms. Very specific, I know.

Availability: Available at Nordstrom and Amazon.

Sizing: XS-L

Material: 92% nylon, 8% spandex

Availability: Available at Nordstrom and O’Neill.

Sizing: XS-XXL

Material: 85% recycled polyamide, 15% elastane

La Blanca Sunshine 79 Ombre Illusions Over The Shoulder One Piece

Availability: Available at La Blanca.

Sizing: 2-14

Material: 84% nylon, 16% elastane

Tommy Bahama Side Shirred Hipster Bikini Bottoms 

I love the color and shirring of these Tommy Bahama bikini bottoms. There’s also a slightly wider version for those of you who want a little more coverage. Pair these flattering bottoms with this Tommy Bahama Pearl Twist Bandeau Bra. The angle up at the bottom center elongates the torso, and I am sure you know that thin halter straps are very slimming.

Availability: Available at Bloomingdale’s, Tommy Bahama, and Dillard’s. The wider version is available at Tommy Bahama, and the top is sold at  Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: Nylon/Lycra®spandex; lining: polyamide

Becca Color Code Side Tie Bikini Bottoms

A classic swimsuit that slims you is a simple black triangle bikini set. Swimwear is one of the few times I am down with black.

Availability: Available at Bloomingdale’s, Zappos, and Amazon.

Sizing: XS-L

Material: 83% nylon/17% spandex

Trina Turk Women’s Plunge Wrap Front One Piece Swimsuit

This Trina Turk Women’s Plunge Wrap Front One Piece Swimsuit is one of the best swimsuits that slim you. The plunging neckline and gorgeous angled ruching are flawless.

Availability: Available at Amazon.

Sizing: 4-14

Material: 82% nylon, 18% elastane

lemlem Luchia Deep-V Belted One-Piece Swimsuit

Besides having all the flattering angles, the print of this lemlem Luchia Deep-V Belted One-Piece Swimsuit helps elongate and hide, and the belt fills in any belly roll divots for a fully slimming look.

Availability: Available at J.Crew, Nordstrom, Tuckernuck, and lemlem.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 73% Polyamide, 27% Elastane

Miraclesuit Must Have Sanibel Underwire One-Piece Swimsuit

The Miraclesuit Must Have Sanibel Underwire One-Piece Swimsuit is a must-have. As I mentioned before, Miraclesuit is the queen of swimsuits that slim you. If you really need to hold some goodies in, the Miracle Suit has the market cornered.

Availability: Available at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Amazon, Miraclesuit, and Talbots.

Sizing: 6-18

Material: Body: Nylon/spandex; drape: nylon/LYCRA®spandex

La Blanca Off the Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit

This gorgeous La Blanca Off the Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit is amazing for women insecure with their armpit and upper underarm flesh. It’s also incredibly sexy, and that ruching is our friend.

Availability: Available at Amazon

Sizing: 0-22 Plus

Material: 83% Nylon, 17% Elastane

Raisevern Women’s One Piece 3D Print Funny Swimsuits Bathing Suit Swimwear Beachwear

I know it is bizarre, but this swimsuit is massively flattering. A bunch of my friends and I bought it for a bachelorette party, and we all looked phenomenal in it. It has this way of not sticking to your stomach so everyone looks like they have a flat stomach when they wear it. It’s seriously strange. Embarrassingly enough, it is now one of my go-to swimsuits.

Availability: Available at Amazon.

Sizing: S-XXL

Material: 82% Polyamide, 18% Spandex

Swimsuits That Slim You From Years Past

I originally wrote this post on swimsuits that slim you years ago and update it regularly due to its popularity. I’ve left these photos below for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts, I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves.

Magicsuit Drew One-Piece Swimsuit

Magicsuit is always a great resource for classic swimsuits that slim you, but they rarely have “wow” prints like this! I highly recommend you jump on this Magicsuit Drew One-Piece Swimsuit.

Palm Bella Ruched High-Waisted Bikini Brief Bottom

I have a crush on this gorgeous Palm Bella Ruched High-Waisted Bikini Brief Bottom. You can hide some goodies while still sporting a two-piece in style.

Dolce & Gabbana Leaf Print One-Piece Swimsuit

The print, plunge, and ruching of this Dolce & Gabbana Leaf Print One-Piece Swimsuit are dynamite for slimming oneself. And you know that halter helps everything.