The Swimwear Index
A not-too-definitive guide to the swim brands people love.
Happy Summer! I hope everyone is spending lots of time outdoors and eating all the fruit. I’m trying my best, especially the eating all the fruit part.
I wanted to do a swim roundup last summer but wasn’t quite sure how to approach it. Of all the things we wear, swimwear is the most personal—it’s kind of like wearing underwear in public. The ultimate goal is to feel comfortable and confident, so you can move through your day without feeling self-conscious.
One person’s essential is not necessarily another’s—whether it’s about fit, material, color, style, body specificities, or whatever. All this to say: swimwear is the ultimate no-size-fits-all (despite the crinkly suit makers trying to tell us otherwise).
I keep a list of all the swim brands I love and others that are on my radar or I’d like to try. Over the past year, I’ve been taking note anytime someone mentions a favorite suit or brand—not sponsored ads, but genuine recommendations in posts, comments, and chats. It’s evolved into a swimwear index filled with brands that are essential to someone. I love having it all in one place for easy browsing and discovery whenever the need for a new swimsuit arises.
I’ve had $250 swimsuits that held up beautifully for years. I’ve also had Zara and Aerie suits that became unexpected favorites and lasted longer than I thought they would.
Sure, spending hundreds on a small piece of fabric can seem outrageous—but if you’ve ever watched a swimsuit challenge on Project Runway, you can appreciate the technical skill involved in producing a well-made suit. When it’s done right, you feel it.
Many people talk about their Eres suits lasting 10, even 20 years—and at that point, the cost per wear is much better than a dress worn to two weddings. You can also find expensive brands new with tags on resale sites or during end-of-season sales—once you know what you're looking for, the deals are out there.
Ultimately, it’s less about price point and more about how a suit makes you feel.
Read on for a not-too-definitive, categorized look at the suits and brands people love. And if I missed your favorite, by all means, please share!
The Icons
Longstanding classics and favorites with loyal followings—these brands have earned their place in beach bags everywhere.
Eres
Founded in 1968, Eres helped define luxury swimwear with its sculpting fabric and tailored cuts. The price is steep, but the loyalty is real—many people say their suits have lasted a decade or more and still hold their shape. Once you know your size, it’s worth checking resale sites or end-of-season sales for new-with-tags finds.
Price Range: $$$ — Most one-pieces are $400–$600; separates start around $300. You can also look for new with tag suits on the secondhand market for less.
Size Range: FR 36–44 (approx. US 2–10); fit runs small and is best suited for smaller cup sizes
Bestsellers: Cassiopee bustier one-piece, Aquarelle tank one-piece, Icone tank one-piece
Hunza G
The original crinkle! Founded in London in 1984 and revived in 2015, Hunza G is instantly recognizable for its signature Original Crinkle™ fabric and one-size-fits-most approach. The textured, sculpting knit flexes with your body and fits an impressively wide range of sizes, depending on the style.
Price Range: $$ — Most suits are $240–$295 and come as full sets.
Size Range: One size (designed to fit US 2–12, with stretch to accommodate sizes 0–14 depending on style)
Bestsellers: Square Neck one-piece, Pamela one-piece (delicate straps), Nadine high-waisted bikini (ring detail), Jean bandeau bikini
Matteau
Most people know Matteau for their great summer dresses, but it actually started with swimwear. Founded in 2015 by Australian sisters Ilona Hamer (a former Vogue fashion editor) and Peta Heinsen, the name is a mix of “matt” (as in matte finish) and “eau” (French for water). Matteau suits are defined by clean lines and a timeless aesthetic.
Price Range: $$$ — One-pieces $325+, separates $150+
Size Range: 1–5 (roughly US 2–14)
Bestsellers: Square Maillot, Petite Square Maillot (delicate straps), Petite Triangle Top, High Waist Brief
Melissa Odabash
Launched in 1999 by former swimwear model Melissa Odabash, the brand is known for elegant, flattering swimwear with a luxurious Italian fabric and sophisticated designs. The fit runs small, but the high-quality fabrics and polished silhouettes are consistently praised.
Next-Gen Brands
Newer direct-to-consumer labels doing fresh things with fit, fabric, or sizing.
Left on Friday
It feels like Left on Friday is everywhere these days. The brand was founded in 2019 by Laura Low and Shannon Savage, both former product execs at Lululemon. Their backgrounds in technical athletic apparel shaped LOF’s approach: performance fabrics, precise fit, and suits you can actually move in.
The fit is consistently praised, and nearly every style comes in a wide, rotating range of colorways—bright, neutral, and everything in between. (Sidenote: I loved their interview on the Second Life podcast.)
Price Range: $$ — One-pieces $180+, separates $85+
Size Range: XS–XXL in most styles; additional cup and length options
Bestsellers: Sunday top, Pool Days top, Hi Tide bottom, Wear To bottom, Sunday Suit
Andie
Founded in 2017, the brand is known for its wide range of one-pieces, classic styles, and thoughtful fit options—including long torso, maternity-friendly, and mastectomy-friendly designs. Most suits come in a range of neckline and coverage options, so you can choose what works for your body.
Price Range: $$ — One-pieces are around $95–$125, separates around $50–$60
Size Range: XXS–XXL in most styles; some suits go up to 3X; long torso and coverage options
Bestsellers: Andie’s “Core Four” swimsuits: Amalfi One Piece, Malibu One Piece, Tulum One Piece, Mykonos One Piece
YouSwim
Founded in 2018, YouSwim makes one-size-fits-many swimwear using a super-stretchy ribbed knit that adapts with your body. Sizes are intentionally flexible (typically fitting US 2–14+), and the brand avoids overproduction by keeping inventory tight. Everything is made in England in small batches, with just a handful of styles released in seasonal colors.
Summersalt
Summersalt launched in 2017 with a focus on fit, coverage, and sizing inclusivity (up to size 26). The brand is often mentioned by people looking for more coverage and structured fit, especially in extended sizes.
Timeless and Minimal
These brands focus on fit, simplicity, fabric, and—often—beautiful colorways.
Lido
Designed and made in Italy, Lido pairs minimal silhouettes with sharp cuts and carefully chosen colors. The suits are clean and sculptural, made from high-quality recycled fabrics, and free of prints or branding.
Price Range: $$$ — One-pieces are $160–$310, separates $110–$140
Size Range: XS-XL (roughly US 2–10; runs small, especially in length)
Bestsellers: Tre one piece, Uno one piece (cross back)
Fella
Australian brand Fella blends retro references with clean, modern lines, using luxury European lycra and their signature textured fabric that smooths and supports. I think their colorways are some of the best and patterns are updated seasonally through artist collaborations.
Price Range: $$$ — One-pieces are $270–$320, separates $120–$150
Size Range: XS–XL (roughly US 2–12; fits can run small, especially in structured styles)
Bestsellers: Casanova top, Gabriel top, Elvis bottom, Rick James bottom
Araks
Known for lingerie, but with a swim line that quietly rivals the best. Araks brings the same clean lines, offbeat color pairings, and refined minimalism to its suits.
Elce
Australian brand Elce leans into classic silhouettes, muted prints, and timeless colors that don’t follow trends. Their resort wear line is also popular, especially for easy dresses and matching sets.
Laura Urbinati
A designer's swim line through and through. Laura Urbinati brings Italian tailoring and a fine art sensibility to her suits—color-blocking, subtle asymmetry, and a grown-up palette.
Anemos
Anemos is an LA-based brand founded by two fashion industry alums, with a minimalist point of view shaped by both California ease and New York polish. The suits are sleek and made locally in small runs using sustainable fabrics.
Sun-Seeker Vibes
Swimwear with a laid-back energy and coastal roots—Hawaii, California, Australia.
Acacia
I have a soft spot for Acacia as their flagship is very close to one of my favorite beaches in the whole world. If you find yourself on Maui’s north shore, you’ll begin to notice that every local is wearing Acacia. Based in Paia, Maui, the brand is known for its low-cut silhouettes, custom prints, and soft neutral palette. I love their prints and have a beautiful sarong from the line.
Size Range: XS–XL (generally runs small; cuts tend to be minimal)
Price Range: $$ — One-pieces are $220–$260, separates $100–$120
Bestsellers: Kokomo (one piece with cutout details)
Mikoh
Founded by sisters Oleema and Kalani Miller, Mikoh is rooted in surf culture—California meets Hawaii with a minimalist edge. The suits are sleek and hardware-free, with a focus on clean, uninterrupted lines.
Size Range: XS–XL (fits small; better suited for smaller busts and narrower frames)
Price Range: $$ — One-pieces are $220–$260, separates $90–$120
Bestsellers: Malta One Piece, Gaia One Piece, Cruz Bay 2 Bottom, Kaloko 2 Top
bond-eye
Made in Australia using regenerated nylon, bond-eye is known for its ultra-stretchy crinkle fabric and bold, body-conscious cuts. All styles are one-size and designed to flex across a range of body shapes.
Bondi Born
Polished and design-forward, Bondi Born sits at the intersection of swimwear and resortwear. Suits are made in Australia using premium, sustainable fabrics with a strong focus on structure and fit.
Maaji
The Colombian brand is known for bold prints, reversible suits, and playful, feminine details. Offers good quality for the price and a wide range of cuts.
Seea
Small-batch, locally produced suits designed for female surfers, by female surfers. The California-based brand is known for rashguards, long-sleeve one-pieces, and styles that blend sun protection with a vintage-inspired surf aesthetic.
Seafolly
One of Australia’s most recognizable swim brands, Seafolly has been around since the ’70s and remains easy to find in stores and online. People love the supportive fits and wide range of styles—especially for fuller busts or when more coverage is the goal. The selection is broad, and prints and colors change frequently.
Elevated Mainstream
Reliable favorites that sit in the sweet spot of price and style.
Solid & Striped
Solid & Striped is one of the most consistently reliable swim brands I’ve bought from—great colors, good fits, and a mix of classic and trend-forward styles. They update seasonally with new prints and palettes, but the core silhouettes stay consistent. In recent years, they’ve also expanded into ready-to-wear.
Price Range: $$ — One-pieces are $150–$200, separates around $90–$110
Size Range: XS–XL (some styles up to XXL; generally runs true to size)
Bestsellers: Anne Marie one piece (classic), Veronica one piece (retro-inspired underwire), Lilo bikini top (retro-inspired underwire)
J.Crew
J.Crew has been doing swim for decades—simple shapes, good coverage, and a wide range of colors and prints. They often bring back vintage styles from the archives, alongside updated core pieces with extended sizing and long torso options. Their navy underwire bikini top has been my go to this summer.
Price Range: $ — One-pieces are $118–$148, separates $50–$90
Size Range: XXS–3X in most styles; long torso options available
Bestsellers: Gemma ruched bandeau one-piece, Lana one-piece, 1993 underwire bikini top
Vitamin A
One of the earliest swim brands to lead with sustainability. Made in California using recycled materials and plant-based fabrics, with sleek, slightly sporty silhouettes. Great for those who want minimal design with a low-impact mindset.
L*Space
L*Space is based in Southern California and known for its deep mix-and-match lineup—especially supportive bikini tops. They offer a wide range of sizes and a mix of classic and trend-driven silhouettes, with lots of options across color, coverage, and cut. I’m a fan of the Jess top.
Monday Swimwear
Founded by influencers Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman, Monday is designed around fuller busts and curves, with a focus on support and femininity. The range offers swimwear for women up to an E/F cup and tops are fitted to every cup size.
Budget-Friendly (but surprisingly good)
Not made to last forever, but they can pull their weight for a season or two—especially if you want to try a trend, or just don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars.
Aerie
One of the best places to find a great under-$100 suit. The styles skew comfortable and sporty, with lots of coverage options and an inclusive size range.
Zara
I always scan Zara’s swim line for gems—particularly one-pieces. I bought a white one-piece suit in 2021 and wore it for three summers before retiring it last year. It ended up being one of my favorite suits, and the quality was surprisingly great for the price. They also quietly tuck clean, classic swimsuits into their Home collection each year.
Before you go…
If you’re cleaning out your swim closet, J.Crew has a recycling partnership with SuperCircle that gives you J.Crew credit in exchanged for old swimwear (any brand).
A lot of these brands also make great resort wear, dresses, and cover-ups that kind of get lost in the mix—worth a look if you’re already browsing!
From the Archive
The Essential List is paywall-free and available to everyone. You can support this newsletter by liking this post, leaving a comment and sharing it with anyone who you think would enjoy it. Thanks for being here! ❣️
You know I loooove Eres!!! Cassiopee fan for life. I will say that my beloved Hunza disintegrated after a visit to a spa 😳 apparently the fabric isn’t THAT robust against chlorine and you must wash immediately (I left 24hrs after a good rinse thinking that was enough!!) I was a tad disappointed. Excited by your New Gen reccs, some of them are new to me xx
This is such a thorough reference! Thank you!
Here to say Seafolly is amazing! Very supportive and well cut, with lots of great prints. Since giving birth, I’ve had to give up the pretty but less supportive options available on jcrew and the like, and seafolly helped me feel comfortable again in my middle aged post partnum body.