I Ordered $2K Worth of Swimsuits So You Don’t Have To

Real suits, real body, real thoughts. Turns out, the pricey ones aren’t always better.

Jun 20, 2025

I’m writing this from Italy, where I’m finally putting my new swimsuits to work. But this whole thing started weeks ago, in a panic spiral about my sad, stretched-out swim drawer.

I used to swear by Mara Hoffman, but that’s no longer an option (RIP, truly). So I set out to find something new. Easier said than done.

I’m 47, mid-size, and overwhelmed. Most of the swimsuit brands that come up online don’t show bodies like mine. And most of them charge for returns. Combine that with confusing size charts, loud marketing, and mysterious fabrics, and it’s enough to throw in the towel (which, ironically, I also needed to replace).

But I figured: if I’m confused, I’m probably not alone. So I ordered one-pieces from five popular brands—ranging from high-end to under $50—and tried them all on. Some were hits. Most were returned. And yes, I kept two.

Let’s get into it.

My Sizing for reference:
5’9”
40" chest, 34 G bra
35" waist
45" hips
65" torso circumference
The exact sizes and colors I ordered are included in the images.

Stylest

For those who like their swimsuits with a side of shape wear.

What I tried

Fit & Feel

The compression is real. No interactive fit tool on their site, but they do emphasize that it should feel snug. And by “snug,” they mean wrestle-it-over-your-body snug. (There are videos on their site about how to get into the suit, which should tell you everything you need to know.)

Once you’re in — they’re surprisingly comfortable. They also lift the boobs better than almost anything else I tried, thanks to a band that separates things in a very flattering way. I wish I tried their swim bra, which can be worn under other suits if you need more support.

Sizing wasn’t consistent. The Square-Back Tank ran small despite being the same size — lots of side-boob and not in the cute way. The Wax Suit had nice lines but was a little tighter than I wanted in the back.

The Good

The Plunge suit was the winner: compressive, secure, and still flattering
Great for anyone who wants shaping but still wants to swim comfortably
Fabric feels expensive in a good way
The best boob support I tried (rare in one-pieces!)

The Meh

The return process felt mildly manipulative.
Sizing wasn’t consistent
High-back styles gave off more conservative vibes than I prefer
There was bunching in the crotch. Maybe I wasn’t pulling up the legs enough?

Price & Logistics

Stylest was the priciest brand I tried with suits ranging from $198 to $220. Returns aren’t free, and the process had a lot of little click-through hoops that made it feel like they were hoping you’d just keep it. They do offer a kind of return “insurance” if you pay up front — not sure how much it saved me, but it did lower the mental barrier of committing as it was nice to know my total cost upfront.

Final Verdict

If compression is your love language, Stylest might be your perfect match. I liked the Plunge suit enough to consider keeping it, but the other two didn’t pass the vibe check. They are surprisingly comfy once you're in, but the compression can create new lumps while smoothing out old ones — sausage vibes are possible.

Vitamin A

For sun-chasers who care more about cheeky cuts than boob support or compression.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

These suits are definitely in the sexy not supportive category. There’s no band under the bust, no shaping or lift — just fabric and hope. Both suits had super high-cut legs and very minimal back coverage.

The Gemma had adjustable leg openings (you can scrunch it higher if you want more elongation), which I liked. But neither suit made me feel especially secure. The fabric was lovely — smooth, thin, and comfortable — but the fit ran small, especially the Mika. I followed their size chart and got the largest size they offer, but it still felt too tight.

Also worth noting: the panty liners came loose just from trying the suit on, which was stressful given their no-returns-if-you-remove-the-liner policy. I saw other reviews mention this too, so it seems like a known issue. (I just stuck it back on and prayed.)

The Good

Fabric feels soft and high-quality
The cuts are undeniably flattering if you’re looking for something skimpy
GEMMA’s adjustable leg design was a nice surprise
Great brand if you want a one-piece that’s more “hot vacation” than “lap swim”

The Meh

Not supportive — no cups, bands, or structure up top
Liners fall out way too easily (and make returns risky)
Don’t have huge size range for bigger sizes
The Mika had a weird fold-over neck that didn’t lie flat

Price & Logistics

Suits ranged from $180–$200, depending on the style. Returns are allowed but not free. No fit quiz, but they do have a size chart and customer reviews to help guide your pick.

Final Verdict

If you're looking for a one-piece that leans more “date night” than “family pool day,” Vitamin A delivers. I didn’t keep either of these, but I could see them working for someone prioritizing style and skin over support.

Left on Friday

For people who want their suit to feel like a second skin — smoothing without the squeeze.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

Left on Friday strikes a nice balance between compression and ease. I reached out to customer support and they said the suits are designed to stretch about a quarter of a size, so they should feel snug at first.

The fabric is dense but still soft. It feels great, less intense than Stylest, but still supportive. The sky blue one I tried reminds me of that Tibi tank top everyone loved, but only some could get to fit right. This one nails the look — structured but wearable. I could easily see these doubling as a top with a skirt or shorts.

Shoutout to Left on Friday’s customer support — they really help you to buy the right size. There’s a detailed guide, a fit concierge you can book with, and a whole page showing the suits on real people (bless).

The Good

That color options are so good
Comfortable but still compressive — felt secure without the squeeze
Lower back details gave it more visual balance
Feels versatile — easy to wear as a top too
Their customer support is just great

The Meh

Sizing isn’t fully consistent — the Streamline suit ran smaller than the other two I tried
These are on the more expensive end ($180), but the quality and fit make it feel worth it
Honestly, that’s about it. These are great suits, and I’m struggling to find real downsides

Price & Logistics

Suits are $180 across the board. The return window is 21 days from delivery date. One free return or exchange per order—no shipping costs when you return via store credit/exchange. If you're returning for a refund instead of credit/exchange, there’s a $10 processing fee per order.

Final Verdict

These were the best suits I tried. The fit, the feel, the colors — everything just worked. They’re comfortable and flattering, with subtle shaping and a clean, modern look. If you’re willing to invest a little more, Left on Friday delivers. I ended up buying the Weekender, which looked even better in person than it does in these photos.

J.Crew

For a more affordable version of Left on Friday, though not every suit is a winner.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

J.Crew suits were all over the place for me — some I loved, others I couldn’t get off fast enough.

Their Classic Sculpt styles reminded me a lot of Left on Friday. Honestly, if someone told me they were from the same factory, I’d believe it. The material felt great, the fit was clean and flattering, and the color options were strong. These were definitely the best of the mid-priced suits I tried.

The Scrunchie fabric was another highlight — textured, soft, and expensive-feeling. The Claudia suit didn’t offer much in terms of compression or bust support (the pads didn’t do much), but it hit a nice sweet spot with cheekiness and a flattering back cut. If you’re not looking for shaping or lift, it’s a great everyday option.

The One-Shoulder Suit was a no for me. It felt compressive but didn’t look it, the front gaped awkwardly, and the tan lines would be wild. It had some bust support, but that was about the only thing I liked.

The Good

Class Sculpt fabric is a dupe for Left on Friday
Best value that I found
Beautiful color options
Easy and cheap returns
Wide range of sizes

The Meh

Design was inconsistent — I tried both one of my least favorite and one of my favorite suits from the same brand
Very little else to complain about — when they get it right, they really get it right

Price & Logistics

Suits ranged from $100–$130, but they are almost always having a sale if you are flexible on colors. Returns cost $7 or free in-store, which makes try-ons relatively painless.

Final Verdict

J.Crew surprised me. The Classic Sculpt suit was one of the best I tried — great fabric, flattering fit, and I kept it. Not everything was a win, but when they get it right, they really nail it — and the price is hard to beat.

CupShe

For budget shoppers who want cute suits with flattering touches — just don’t expect them to last forever.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

CupShe trades compression for ruching — and honestly, it works better than you’d expect. If you’re after some smoothing without full-on sausage casing, they do a decent job for the price.

They’re flattering, with thoughtful details and good coverage — not too skimpy, not overly modest. The biggest difference compared to higher-end suits was the fabric quality. Brands like Left on Friday and J.Crew’s Classic Sculpt feel luxe. CupShe suits feel like... regular swimsuits. Not bad, just not elevated.

The Good

Obviously, the price
Available on Amazon = free and easy returns
Huge selection (also kind of a con)
Surprisingly flattering designs with smart ruching and supportive touches

The Meh

Not as compressive as more premium suits
Fabric quality is lower — expect 2–3 seasons of wear, max
The site (and selection) can be overwhelming — too many styles, not enough guidance

Price & Logistics

Most suits are under $40. I bought mine through Amazon, which made returns super easy and free. They’re also available on CupShe’s own site, but the Amazon route is way more convenient if you’re trying things on. No fit quiz or concierge — just a size chart and lots of customer reviews.

Final Verdict

CupShe won’t change your life, but if you want a cute, affordable suit that looks better than you’d expect, it delivers. Just know what you’re getting: no long-term commitment — just solid value for the price.

The Wrap-Up

And that’s the try-on. Two keepers, a lot of returns, and more swimsuit fabric than I ever expected to think this hard about. If you’re mid-size, long-torsoed, or just swimsuit-weary, I hope this helped you skip a few dead ends.

And if you’ve got a favorite brand I missed — send it my way. I’ve already put my middle-aged body on the internet. At this point, what’s a few more suits?