City Chic

My first decent swimsuit came from City Chic. It was a strapless (with removable straps) suit with a giant ruffle along the front. It was the first time I wasn’t squashing into a regular size 20 and hoping for the best. I still have that suit 3 years later, and it’s good as new. That’s got to be the best advertisement for swimwear if it holds it’s colour and shape through numerous years of use. Two enthusiastic thumbs up. PLUS, my friend Desiree has the bikini in this collage, and it’s AMAZING in real life. Sooooo good.

After a few seasons of trying them on, I’ve found that I wear the XL (I’m a 22 in swimwear normally) in the swimsuits. All the sizing is pretty consistent across the range. Try one you’ve tried ’em all is my advice, get in-store if possible and try some on, then you’ll be set for ordering online. If that’s not possible, the measurements appear to be on track.

Shop the City Chic swimwear. 

Curvy Swimwear

A recent addition to my closet is the watercolour bandeau suit from Curvy Swimwear. This is a capsule luxe collection from the makers of Capriosca Swimwear. I own a number of their day-to-day and chlorine resistant swimwear and have always found them impressive. This suit, though, is something else. It lives up to the luxe price tag in the fit and quality of the material. Gorgeous.

As far as sizing goes, I found it a great fit, if not a little on the small size. This could be me with my long torso, but a size up would’ve been perfect. I own the 22, and if I weren’t so tall, it would be a great fit because it fits like a super good-looking glove elsewhere. If you’re after something special, something that you won’t see everywhere, these are the suits for you.

Shop Curvy Swimwear here.

Sequins + Sand

This brand has been a big supporter of my blog. Technically they are stockists of the awesome Capricosca brand, and since my first advertorial style post with the brand, I have collected 5 Capricosca swimsuits. Yup. FIVE. I have a black chlorine resistant one I use for swimming, a red tankini set, the polka dot one piece in this set, an aqua one piece and the navy panelled one piece. I wear these suits week in and week out. They are my go-to suits for pool swimming, especially.

AS far as sizing goes, I have the 22 in all items. The chlorine resistant suits fit tighter than the others, so if you can size up or wiggle into them, laying down on your bed as I do. They’re worth the effort getting into them because as you swim, they don’t move. Again my long torso comes into play; shorter ladies wouldn’t have a problem in their usual size. Check out the size chart, and if you have questions, Sequins and Sand are happy to answer your questions over the phone, via email or on their social media accounts. They’ll ALL over that.

Shop the range of swimwear at Sequins and Sand here.

Swimsuits for All

This is the ASOS of plus-size swimwear shopping locations. This site stocks everything from size 8 to 30 in some of the styles. Amazing, right? I noticed that the bikinis and mid-kinis tend to stop at size 24, but I didn’t check them all. Well, worth a look, especially if you checked out the Curves at every size photoshoot, I featured on the blog a while back. LOTS of choices, lots of great sales and something for everyone.

Sizing wise, the best advice I can give is that, like ASOS, they stick to several brands. You MUST check the size chart for every different suit. Don’t think you have it sorted and clickety-click away; check the chart. Swimsuits for All have reviews on all their suits, and from the ones I looked at, these are some of the most comprehensive reviews on any site anywhere. And there are LOTS of them. Use them if you’re in doubt. You won’t go wrong then.

Check out the biggest range of swimwear I’ve ever seen at Swimsuits for All. 

Confidence Swimwear

A recent find for me, I have two sets of swimwear from Confidence Swimwear and wanted to add them to this post. Beautifully, sustainably and ethically made and available to a US size 20 (which I am wearing in the review as an AU24), they are worth looking at. Disappointed about the size range? Well, they offer custom sizing at no extra cost, which is perfect for those requiring a large size and those with differences that require unique sizing. The team say they want all people to feel empowered in their body, and this suits that tick all the boxes might do that!

Shop the Confidence Swimwear range here.

Artesands

I originally found this brand via the team at Hear Us Roar and love the wide range of prints, fits and styles they offer. Most pieces are available in up to ten styles, including mix and match separates and one-pieces. They describe themselves as a curvy girl swimwear brand filled with passion, persistence, and commitment to normalise the female body. They, as a team, are striving to break down the stereotypical swimwear industry ideals.  Through artisans like craftsmanship, each piece is styled and sculptured with great bust support, secure contouring power mesh and luxurious fabrications to create fashionable women’s plus-sized swimwear that supports and fits our curvy body shapes.

Shop the Artesans Swimwear range online.