Swimsuit season will be here before we know it! And while we love the thought of endless beach days and afternoons by the pool, for some people, the idea of having to shop for a new swimsuit is enough to tamper some of that excitement.
And if you often get filled with dread over the idea of trying on an endless array of too-short and too-revealing bikinis and one-pieces to find just one that looks decent, let us introduce you to the swim dress. They're flattering, high-coverage and stylish enough that when you're wearing one, you can build those sandcastles or jump in the pool without having to worry about how much skin you're showing. Plus, they're so cute, you can even wear them to the local beach bar! All that's to say, you're definitely going to want at least one to bring along for your next vacation.
From tummy control styles to cute, patterned pieces, here are 10 shopper-loved swim dresses to add to your rotation.
How to find the right swim dress? | What material is best for a swim dress? | Swim dresses to shop | How we chose | Meet the experts
How to find the right swim dress?
If you've been searching for a bathing suit that doesn't expose too much skin, then the swim dress just became your new best friend. According to New York City stylist Liz Teich, coverage is key when shopping for swim dresses. "Larger busts typically look best with a V-neck or sweetheart neckline, whereas smaller busts could opt for a deep V, halter or square neck," explains Teich.
Tiffany Sjoquist, owner of SwimHer, agrees that the perfect swim dress differs based on your body type. "Firstly, consider your body shape and which features you want to highlight to feel confident and comfortable. Determine areas you'd like to accentuate, such as your waist, and areas you might prefer to minimize, such as the tummy or hips/thighs," Sjoquist continues. "For example, consider opting for ruching around the tummy area or choosing draping or darker colors to create a slimming effect," she suggests.
"Navigating women's sizing can be tricky, so I always recommend referring to measurements and trying on multiple sizes," suggests Sjoquist. "The size you initially assume might not be the best fit. From my time running an inclusive swimwear line, I have found the most important factor is that you feel confident. Don’t worry about numbers or sizes, go for confidence," she says.
What material is best for a swim dress?
In addition to finding the right swim dress for your body, finding a material that is both comfortable and breathable is important as well. Sjoquist recommends specific fabrics for swimwear that all offer unique benefits:
"Lycra stands out as a great choice. Its durability, excellent shape retention, and quick-drying properties make it ideal for individuals who engage in active water sports and beach activities," explains Sjoquist.
"Polyester is another great swimwear material. Its resistance to chlorine greatly reduces color fading and material stretching," continues Sjoquist. "However, Polyester lacks breathability and retains odors. This would be a great fit for competitive swimmers or frequent pool users," she says.
Teich also says "recycled nylon or polymide is a great way to go if you’re going to opt for a synthetic fabric." She continues, "It will be flattering, dry quickly and will be better for the environment than traditional swimwear."
"In recent years, many opt for more eco-friendly options like Econyl. This regenerated nylon, crafted from recycled ocean plastics, offers exceptional durability, shape, retention, and stretchiness," explains Sjoquist. "It does come at a higher cost compared to other swimwear materials, so keep that in mind. Regardless of the material chosen for your swim dress, ensure that it feels comfortable on your body and aligns with your needs," she says.
Swim dresses to shop
Shapermint Essentials Swim Knot-Front Swim Dress
- Flattering
- Good quality
- May run small
Colorways: 4 | Sizes: S-4X | Materials: Polyamide, elastane
Shapermint, the brand behind some of our favorite shapewear pieces, also makes a swim dress. It features thick "no dig" straps and an inner mesh panel that is designed to provide a smoothing effect.
Aqua Green Women’s UPF 50 High Neck Swim Romper
- Comfortable
- Flattering
- Built-in bra padding
- Shorts can be flimsy
Colorways: 2 | Sizes: S-XL, 16-24 | Materials: Polyester, spandex
While this one might technically be a swim romper, it’s so cute, we couldn’t help but include it in this list. It’s a Target shopper-favorite suit with an average 4.5-star rating and reviewers say that it provides “great coverage in the right places” and is “amazingly flattering.” “This is probably the best I’ve ever felt in a swimsuit in my entire life (and I’m 37),” one person even wrote.
Zando Women’s Tummy Control Swim Dress
- Slimming
- May run small
Colorways: 36 | Sizes: 2-22
Described as comfortable, breathable and slimming by the brand, this swimsuit checks every box. It comes in multiple patterns and colors, though the floral prints seem pretty perfect for anyone going on a tropical vacation.
Yonique One Piece Swimsuit
- Comfortable
- Nice padding
- Soft material
- May run small
Colorways: 36 | Sizes: XXS-24 plus | Materials: Polyester, spandex
With a removable bra, built-in briefs and a long swim skirt, this suit checks all the boxes. Along with the bra, the brand says that the wide straps provide maximum support.
Cocoship Vintage One-Piece Swim Dress
- Modest
- Built-in shorts
- Comfortable
- Runs small
Colorways: 21 | Sizes: Small-6X | Materials: Nylon, elastane
This vintage-inspired swimsuit has more than 23,000 five-star ratings from shoppers who have raved about its flattering design and fit. The halter straps are designed to be adjustable for a customized fit and it comes in sizes small to 6X-large to fit a range of body types.
Shekini Women's Crossover Ruched One-Piece Swimdress
- Good coverage
- Comfortable
- May run small
Colorways: 20 | Sizes: S-XXL | Materials: Nylon, spandex
Available in 20 different colors and patterns, shoppers say that this swim dress is "flattering" and "comfortable." "I struggle to find swimwear that I am happy with, but this is a really great find!" one reviewer wrote.
The Ruched Swim Skirt
- Comfortable
- Stylish
- Bottom coverage
- May run big
Colorways: 8 | Sizes: XS-2X | Materials: Polyamide, elastane
Teich recommends this color blocking swimsuit since it "has shape to it, rather than boxy or A line for a more flattering look." This stylish swim skirt features soft ruching, as well as a flat front wide elastic band for a more desired fit.
Lands' End Sweetheart Swim Dress
- Long-lasting
- Chlorine resistant
- May run big
Colorways: 3 | Sizes: 2-18 | Materials: Nylon, spandex
"Lycra is a great option for a stretchy fit that will last and especially one that is chlorine resistant like this swimsuit," says Teich. This sleek swim dress features an all-around bra with sewn-in soft cups and adjustable straps to find your ideal fit.
The Skin Cancer Foundation also recommends this fabric as an effective UV protectant only for covered areas, according to the brand.
Lands' End Tummy Control Surplice Faux-Wrap One-Piece Swim Dress
- Tummy control
- Comfortable
- May run small
Colorways: 6 | Sizes: 2-18, 6 long-14 long | Materials: Nylon, spandex
Lands' End has a variety of swim dresses in its collection, and right now, many of them are on sale. This cute option is designed to resist breakdown from chlorine, sunscreen and sweat to last you plenty of summers. Plus, the brand says that the fabric even provides UPF 50 sun protection.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best swim dresses based on comfortability, size inclusivity and breathable materials. We enlisted the recommendations of style and swimwear experts, read through a plethora of user reviews and filtered search to find top-rated products to shop.
Meet the experts
- Liz Teich is the fashion stylist behind The New York Stylist.
- Tiffany Sjoquist is the owner of SwimHer, a girl's inclusive swimwear brand.
- Daniel Saponaro is the owner and creative director of Hutch, a modern womenswear brand.
