Swimsuit season is almost here! 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.
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. Last year, one style even made it into our first-ever Ultimate Summer Swim Guide!
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 award-winning and shopper-loved swim dresses to add to your rotation.
Shop TODAY’s 2025 Ultimate Swim Guide Pick
According to on-air fashion expert and stylist Jasmine Snow, you shouldn't have to sacrifice style for a full coverage fit. This swim dress has built-in bottoms and a tie skirt that sits over top, giving it a “vintage glam” look, says Snow.
Swim dresses to shop
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.
While this isn’t exactly a swim dress, this winner from our 2025 Travel Gear Awards is a great bikini alternative. Offering full stomach coverage, we love the slimming waist on this pick. Plus, you can avoid chafing with the romper short.
New York City stylist Liz Teich recommends this color blocking swim separate 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.
Available in various 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.
Want a tropical-looking swimsuit to match your tropical vacation? Try this swim dress that associate editor, Kamari Stewart-Jackson loves.
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.
This vintage-inspired swimsuit has shoppers raving 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 to fit a range of body types.
Editor, Shannon Garlin recently tried this swim dress and says, "The removable cups and adjustable straps make it supportive, and a one-piece suit underneath the dress part is comfortable. I felt fully covered and modest, and wouldn't need a swim cover-up. I'd just throw a button-down/kimono-style cover-up over it."
Deputy managing editor, Francesca Cocchi-Zabloudil also liked the swimsuit dress for its comfort and style.
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 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."
- "Recycled nylon or polymide is a great way to go if you’re going to opt for a synthetic fabric," Teich says. “[Both] 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."
Frequently asked questions
"We're going to see more muted tones for swimwear this season," says Teich. "The fall/winter chocolate brown trend will cross over into swim and the spring black and white styling will be major with swimwear as well," she says.
Sjoquist says to keep your eye on crochet. "Crochet is currently a major trend, appearing not just in swimwear but also in swim cover-ups," she says.
Daniel Saponaro, owner and creative director of Hutch, says we will see more swimsuits with "cutout and draped detailing, retro silhouettes, neon prints and colors, and cohesive color schemes."
"We'll also see more retro details from every decade, including halter necks from the '70s/'80s and sporty styles of the '90s," explains Teich.
"Some women choose to wear swim dresses for extra protection from the sun, so check that it has a high UPF rating if so, because not all swimwear will," recommends Teich.
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
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on swimsuit dresses. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Jasmine Snow is a stylist, on-air fashion expert and editor.
- 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.
Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil
Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil