Pt 2: I Ordered Another $2K in Swimsuits So You Don't Have To
Your recs. My size-12-ish body. Let’s see what actually fits.
I never meant to become a swimsuit reviewer. But after trying on $2K worth of suits and posting the results, my inbox turned into a group chat. “What about Summersalt?” “You forgot Andie!” “You HAVE to try Quince.” Apparently, I’ve become the swimsuit whisperer for mid-sized bodies.
So here we are. Another $2K later, still in front of the mirror wondering if side-boob is a feature or a flaw.
Quick update on the winners from last time: I ended up keeping the Weekender from Left on Friday and the Lana from J.Crew. Both have held up, both make me feel good — but both would’ve been better in a darker color. Light ones show every speck of dirt and every swipe of sunscreen. Learn from my mistakes.
Bonus tip: KARI10 gets you 10% off at Left on Friday.
Ok, here’s round two.
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.
Summersalt
For people who want cool design and thoughtful fit science.
What I Tried
Fit & Feel
Summersalt’s size chart actually matched my measurements — no need to choose between fitting my hips or my boobs. They used over a million measurements from real women to build their size chart, and it shows.
The Wrap style was my favorite: supportive without being bulky, with clean lines and just enough detail to feel elevated. The Cinch suit had the best back of any suit I tried — seriously, it’s gorgeous — but the bust area didn’t quite work for me. It felt like my boobs were sitting too low for where the suit wanted them to be. Same with the Side Stroke. Great compression, nice color, but the fit through the shoulder and bust wasn’t super comfortable.
Overall, these felt thoughtfully made and flattering, but they might be better suited for folks whose bust sits a bit higher than mine.
The Good
Their size guide was actually aligned with my measurements (rare!)
Design-forward without being flashy
Fabric felt solid and well made
Design details like belts, wraps, and dramatic backs flattered without trying too hard
The Meh
No underbust band = support is okay, not great
Boob placement felt off on two out of three suits since my boobs sit lower
Shoulder and side cuts may dig depending on your shape
Price & Logistics
Suits range from $95–$125. Returns are $8. No fit concierge, but better guidance than most.
Final Verdict
Summersalt came through with clean design, a good fit, and a price that feels fair. The Wrap One-Piece was the clear favorite for my body. If you want a suit that looks elevated without being fussy, these are worth a try. You can find all Summersalt styles here.
Lands End
High quality, full coverage, and some surprisingly great support — if you can find a style you like.
What I Tried
Fit & Feel
Lands’ End was the most recommended brand from readers — and I get why. These suits feel sturdy in that “won’t-bail-during-a-cannonball” kind of way. The double-layer design is clever: compression on the inside, smoothing on the outside. Structure without the sausage effect.
The Wrap style was more traditional, with solid support (including a band under the bust) and a flattering neckline, but I didn’t love the vertical strip down the back. Both suits felt high-quality and supportive. Sizing ran a little inconsistent, but both had good bust coverage.
That said, I had to dig to find these. The styles skew more modest than I prefer — lots of skirts, low leg cuts, and full coverage backs. If you want something a little cheekier or more design-forward, the options are few and far between. I only found two that felt worth trying, and even those were more practical than pretty.
The Good
Offers long torso, petite, plus, and mastectomy options
Solid boob support and compression without discomfort
Major promos (frequent 50% off sales)
90-day return window
Free in-store returns
The Meh
You have to dig for stylish options—lots of modest styles, skirts, and low leg cuts
Some inconsistencies in sizing across suits
Personally, I found the styles too modest for my taste
Price & Logistics
Most suits retail around $100–$130, but they’re often 50% off. Return shipping is $8.95 or free in-store, and you get a generous 90-day return window.
Final Verdict
Lands’ End isn’t flashy, but it’s dependable. If you want coverage, quality, and sizing options most brands don’t offer — this is a great bet. Just be ready to wade through some “mom at swim class” styles to find the gems. Check them all out here.
Andie
Flattering cuts, fun colors, and enough adjustability to (almost) make the fit work.
What I Tried
Fit & Feel
Andie suits feel thoughtfully made — especially if you like some compression and a bit of drama. I tried three styles, and while the Mykonos was easily the most flattering on me (hello, great cleavage), the others had some odd fit quirks.
Across the board, the fabric feels good on — with just the right amount of sculpting. The Laguna was cheeky in a fun way and offered nice compression, but the boob fit was way off for me (gaping galore).
That said, many suits have adjustable straps and long torso options, which helps. And they get bonus points for using mostly recycled materials. Overall, a solid option — especially if your body happens to match their sizing chart (mine didn’t).
Pricing + Logistics
Most suits run $112–$140. Returns within 14 days, minus a $5 restocking fee. Original shipping and duties aren’t refunded.
Final Verdict
Some hits, some misfires — but if you find the right fit, Andie brings the flattering lines and fun vibe. I would have kept the Mykonos if I hadn’t just bought two new suits. Check out their full lineup here, and you can use KARI20 to get 20% off.
Beth Richards
Sustainable, fashion-forward suits that are best for smaller busts.
Fit & Feel
Beth reached out to me on Substack after my first swimsuit post, and I was instantly curious. She’s a Canadian designer (and fellow Substacker!) making sustainable swimwear with a clear feminist mission: strong, non-exploitative imagery, without sacrificing style. And her suits deliver — they’re fashion-forward with luxe fabrics, rich colors, and thoughtful details that feel original without trying too hard.
The Boheme was the most versatile, with removable straps and a wrap detail you can wear a few ways. The Scrunchie had the most flair — textured straps and a muted, artsy color I loved. The Scoop offered more coverage up front, but still brought drama in the back.
These aren’t built for big boobs — there’s light support, but no real lift or band. If you don’t need much up top, though, the designs and details more than deliver. I kept the Boheme (gifted) and have loved it.
The Good
Sophisticated, elevated designs with thoughtful details
Luxe-feeling fabric that moves well and flatters
Canadian-based brand with sustainability baked in
Woman-founded and run
The Meh
Not much boob support
Return policy isn’t generous
Pricey — around $250+ per suit
Pricing + Logistics
Most suits hover around the $250 mark. Returns must be initiated within 7 days and come with a $25 return/restocking fee.
Verdict
If you’re into fashion-y suits that still feel wearable, Beth Richards is a gem. These felt like pieces from someone who gets women — elegant, functional, and unfussy. Just make sure you’re confident in your size before you buy. Check out her designs here.
Miracle Suit
Compression magic meets mom-energy. These suits really do sculpt — but style takes a back seat.
What I Tried
Fit & Feel
Miraclesuit lives up to its name in one department: compression. Every suit I tried of theirs genuinely made me look slimmer. They combine intense structure, strategic ruching, and underwire-level support to deliver the most “held in” feeling of any brand I tested.
But while the fit was effective, the style wasn’t my favorite. Cuts were conservative, with full backs and low legs that leaned more shapewear than swimwear. The designs aim for optical illusions — and succeed — but I couldn’t help wishing they’d apply that same effort to make something just a bit sexier. Even a hint of cheek would go a long way.
The Good
Insanely compressive — truly smoothing
Excellent bust support, including DDD options
One of the only suits that visibly slimmed me
Great return policy (just return within 30 days)
The Meh
Styles skew dated and conservative
Back cuts = full coverage shapewear vibes
Some designs feel over-engineered
Logistics
Most suits are in the $150 - $170 range. Miraclesuit offers a 30-day return window, but you’ll need to cover return shipping.
Final Verdict
Miraclesuit delivers on its promise: these suits really do shape you. But the styling lags behind. If you're after full coverage and serious support, they’ve got you. If you’re hoping for something a bit more modern or cheeky — keep looking. Check out all designs here.
Quince
Solid dupes of top brands — if you’re cool with that.
What I Tried
Fit & Feel
Quince suits look very familiar — because they are. The brand’s whole model is to reverse-engineer popular designs and sell them for less, which is why their swim line reads like a greatest hits of higher-end brands. The result? Pretty good suits at much lower prices. But it’s worth asking how you feel about wearing something that was likely copied down to the seam.
Of the three I tried, the Plunge was the clear winner — flattering, secure, and a near-identical dupe of Andie’s signature style. The Cami came in close behind, with solid compression, decent bust support (thanks to an actual band), and a more balanced back cut. The Cross-Back felt a little off — the top fit, but the bottom ran snug, and the leg cut wasn’t doing me any favors.
Sizing can be a bit weird. I ordered a Large in all three and felt like I was between sizes. They do offer a Long option, but they don’t show clear measurements for it, so it’s hard to know if it’ll actually help. Overall, if you’re okay with the knockoff vibes, these are very solid suits for the price.
The Good
Sleek, flattering designs that punch above their price point
Some suits have built-in support (like the Cami)
Italian fabric = nice feel and decent compression
365-day return policy is wild
The Meh
Limited sizing (only up to XL, but I’m a Large, so maybe it’s not that limited)
Limited color options — most suits come in just a few shades
The fit can be hit or miss
Styles are copy-paste from other brands, if that matters to you
Price & Logistics
Most suits are under $50, which makes them one of the most affordable options I tried. They offer free shipping and a generous return policy (you have a full year). Sizing goes up to XL, and they offer regular and long.
Final Verdict
Quince makes simple, well-fitting suits that look more expensive than they are. The designs aren’t groundbreaking, but for the price, they don’t have to be. Worth trying — especially the Plunge. View Quince’s full line-up here.
The Wrap-Up
That’s a wrap on part two. I’ve now officially tried on enough swimsuits to last a lifetime — but weirdly, I’m not mad about it. If this helps you avoid a return or find one that actually fits, worth it.
Tried something amazing I missed? Let me know. I'm already in too deep.
All the links are gathered here. These are affiliate links, which means I might earn a tiny commission if you buy something, no extra cost to you.
Another great post. Thank you! You should try Stylist! I’ve heard great things but am too scared to try them given the price point. I am similar sizes to you and have great luck with SeaLevel which is an Australian brand!
Thanks to you, I sized up and bought a very comfortable Left on Sunday suit. My gratitude is boundless :)