“The secret is to highlight the bump as much as possible and to follow your own usual and natural style,” Gonzaga tells Verywell Family, adding that it’s also OK to be bold with your maternity clothing choices. “This is the unique time in a woman’s life when she should be more courageous style-wise, not less.” While style is certainly something to consider, to find a quality maternity bathing suit, you also want to pay attention to its materials, design, and fit. If you are a nursing parent, choosing a swimsuit that makes breastfeeding easier is also a key feature to pay attention to. There are a lot of great options on the market to pick from, but here are some of our favorites. There is so much we love about this bathing suit that it’s hard to know where to start. First, the body of the suit is made from a blend of nylon and elastane, which Gonzaga says is a high-quality material for longevity. It also features built-in bust support as well as side ruching to accommodate your changing body. While it only comes in one color, it does feature gold hoops, which align with this year’s trends. “Embellishments like shells, chains, and gold [rings] holding swimwear together will make a bright appearance [this year],” Gonzaga tells us. Finally, you can safely toss this swimsuit into the washing machine when it could use a good cleaning (on gentle cycle), though, like most suits, it should be line dried. As for the style, it features an open back with a tie, allowing for some adjustable sizing, and stylish ruffles along the neckline and shoulders. There is also side ruching to offer plenty of room for your growing belly, and it’s available in basic black, multi-colored floral prints, and more. The only thing to note here is that given the deep-V neckline and lack of additional breast support, this isn’t ideal for anyone with a larger bust. Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, you may be able to wear your regular bikini. But if you’re further along, this maternity two-piece is an excellent option. It features a low-rise bottom with adjustable sides to accommodate your growing belly, as well as a halter top to offer more bust support. This bikini is available in two colors and is machine washable. This one-piece is available in a range of sizes, from small to extra-extra-large. It’s made from spandex and nylon, and it features a v-neckline on the front and a scooped back. It’s important to note that this is not a UPF-blocking fabric, and while it is machine washable, it will last longer if it’s hand washed and line dried. Price at time of publication: $33 Price at time of publication: $120 The swimsuit is made from super soft, ribbed fabric that is comfortably snug when dry but doesn’t cling too much when it’s wet. It also has cinched ties at the back of the bust and the sides of the legs so that it can be adjusted to fit your body as it changes and grows. While we wish it were available in more colors or prints, we absolutely love the empire seam that adds a stylish detail as well as extra bust support. Price at time of publication: $95 The swimsuit features adjustable straps, a clasp closure on the back, and side ruching to help you get the best fit for your changing body. It also has a plunging neckline, which is stylish but doesn’t offer a lot of support or coverage for larger busts. This swimsuit is available in UK sizes 6-18 and is safe in the washing machine. Price at time of publication: $58 “Dopamine swimwear (wearing vitaminic, colorful, and bold colors with the intention of boosting your mood) will definitely be a trend,” says Gonzaga. “[People] are ready to leave the gloomy years of the pandemic behind and emerge with more courageous looks.” Each piece is sold separately, which gives you the option to mix and match your styles with solid-colored bottoms. It features a halter-style top with a stylish V-neckline and a tie neck that allows you to adjust the size/support you need for your bust. It also has a ruched design to help ensure a good fit throughout pregnancy. One note, this top needs to be hand washed and line dried or dry cleaned. Price at time of publication: $37 The top has a tank top shape with an added cross-strap detail on the back for a little extra flourish. The bottoms have ruching on the front so that you can wear them throughout your pregnancy and into your fourth trimester (postpartum). To top it off, the swimsuit material offers UPF 50+ protection from the sun. Plus, it comes in a fun, bright print that makes it all the more trendy. Price at time of publication: $60 The medium has a 4.5-inch inseam, and the shorts are partially lined, so they aren’t see-through. Finally, they’re made with a fabric that withstands the damaging effects of chlorine up to 10 times longer than traditional spandex. Price at time of publication: $39 The swimsuit is one-piece and has an adjustable halter neck design that’s particularly great for breastfeeding women since their bust size can vary dramatically throughout the day. You can get this swimsuit in three different colors and in sizes S through XXL. You will need to hand wash this swimsuit. Price at time of publication: $34 4.5 to 4.7 stars: These maternity bathing suits are excellent—they might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them. 4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these are great maternity bathing suits, but others are better. 3.5 to 3.9 stars: These maternity bathing suits are just average. 3.4 and below: We don’t recommend maternity bathing suits with this rating; you won’t find any on our list.
What to Look for When Buying a Maternity Swimsuit
Material and Details
If you’re looking for a maternity swimsuit that will last, it’s important to pay attention to the materials it’s made from as well as the small details. “For swimwear, quality is dictated by the materials,” says Gonzaga. “In my experience, elastane or Lycra…[are both high] quality that really lasts forever.” Still, even if a suit is not made of either of these materials, it can be of high quality. One way Gonzaga says you can tell if a swimsuit is made from a good material is to touch it to see if it’s thick and soft. Another good way to check its quality is by stretching it in every direction, testing to see if it returns to its original shape. In addition to the fabric, the details of the swimsuit also need to be done right, Gonzaga explains. “The seams, stitching, lining, and all clasps, hooks, and wires should look strong and well structured,” she says. She suggests looking for swimsuits with double-stitch detailing that do not bunch up.
Fit and Style
As with all swimwear, your maternity swimsuit should fit well. It should be snug (but not tight) and offer support and enough coverage for you to feel comfortable and confident. If you’re looking for something you can wear throughout pregnancy, consider looking for a swimsuit that has adjustable features that can grow with you. Additionally, keep your bust in mind while shopping for maternity swimwear; you might need more room or support than you did pre-pregnancy. In addition to fit, you should also be conscious of the style you choose. While we’ve shared swimsuits on this list that have trendy designs and colors, it’s OK if you don’t like those trends. What’s most important is how confident you feel in your swimsuit, not whether or not it’s the latest fashion. Since your body is changing so much, you may be tempted to try a whole new look, but Gonzaga says it’s best to stick with the same kinds of styles you’d wear when you’re not pregnant. “Any style that a [person] likes, according to [their] body shape, [they] should keep wearing during pregnancy,” she says, “This will instantly make [them] look the most flattering, ever.” That being said, if you’re feeling stuck with what to choose, Gonzaga says her only advice is to “avoid a much lighter color, big patterns, or horizontal stripes on the bump to avoid looking too disproportionate.”
Why Trust Verywell Family
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and a mom to a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old. She lives in the hot South and spends her spare time in the summer by the pool or on the beach, so she’s familiar with the pains of shopping for maternity swimsuits as well as with what moms of toddlers need from their clothing.
