A tummy control swimsuit can change everything
With summer heating up, more and more brands are offering bathing suits that complement every body type—like tummy control swimsuits that camouflage or compress anything you’d rather not highlight. Many also utilize thoughtful details that create a flattering illusion. “Features like ruching along the sides or across the front of the swimsuit are visually slimming,” says Elise Armitage, founder of What the Fab. “Diagonal seams are super flattering too, and I also love a one-piece swimsuit with a tie at the waist for extra tummy control and an overall slimming effect.”
If this sounds like exactly what you’re looking for, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up the best tummy control swimsuits, whether you prefer a tummy control one-piece or a two-piece, so finding the perfect suit will be as easy and stress-free as buying other summer essentials like sunscreen, flip-flops, beach bags, beach towels, beach chairs, and sun hats.
How we chose the best tummy control swimsuits
To find the best tummy control swimsuits, we asked our friends and colleagues for their recommendations, scoured hundreds of reviews for the top-rated options, and even tried on many ourselves. We also made sure to look for ones that would meet the different needs of women at a variety of price points. Here are the ones that will support you in style.
The winners
- Best overall: Smismivo Tummy Control Swimsuit
- Best value: Cupshe Bright Day Shirring One-Piece Tummy Control Swimsuit
- Best swim dress: Zando Athletic One-Piece Tummy Control Swim Dress
- Best two-piece: Angerella Vintage High-Waisted Polka Dot Bathing Suit
- Best plus size: Aqua Eve Plus Size One-Piece Swimsuit
- Best one-piece: Hilor One-Piece Crossover Swimsuit
- Best for small busts: Miraclesuit Oceanus One-Piece Swimsuit
- Best for large busts: Miraclesuit Illusionist Crossover One-Piece
- Best ruffle: Angerella Ruffled Overlay High Waist Tankini
- Best front cross: B2prity Tummy Control Front Cross Bathing Suit
- Best striped: Tempt Me Ruffle One-Piece Tummy Control Swimsuit
- Best one-shoulder: Summersalt Sidestroke
- Most stylish: Magicsuit Isabel One-Piece Swimsuit
- Best color blocking: Tommy Bahama Island Cays Colorblock Wrap-Front Swimsuit
- Best tankini: Venus Maximum Shaping Tankini
- Best bikini bottom: Empetua High-Waisted Control Bikini Bottom
- Best strapless: Swimsuits for All Spliced One-Piece Swimsuit
- Best wrap: Lands’ End Slender Tummy Control Wrap One-Piece
- Best square neck: Soma Swim Square Neck One-Piece
- Best maternity: Seraphine Supportive Maternity Swimsuit
Best overall
Smismivo Tummy Control Swimsuit
With more than 15,500 five-star Amazon reviews and customers who are “obsessed,” this great-looking tummy control swimsuit is a winner. The ruching on the torso is incredibly flattering, and the wrap-style top takes the attention away from your midsection. Plus, an adjustable halter neck provides support and shaping, and the removable, padded push-up bra is fully lined to give you extra confidence. It also looks a lot more expensive than it actually is—and will instantly elevate your style on the beach and beyond.
Just ask verified Amazon reviewer Shanille, who admits, “I have a pretty good gut on me, and this fit amazing. I was actually worried because it looked so small when I got it. But it slipped on perfectly, and the tummy control part was spot on! This is my newest favorite swimsuit!”
Pros:
- Flattering front ruching
- Affordable
- Available in 30 colors and prints
Con:
- Moderate backside coverage
Best value
Cupshe Bright Day Shirring One-Piece Tummy Control Swimsuit
At less than $30, this popular Cupshe suit is your best bet for a budget-friendly option, and it has more than 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon to back that up. Reviewers rave about the flattering side ruching, which works its tummy-flattening magic without squeezing your midsection and making you uncomfortable. This Amazon best seller is available in 15 colors, and many reviewers say they’ve already bought more than one.
Pros:
- Side ruching without compression
- Incredibly affordable
- Available in 13 colors and in sizes XS to XXL
Con:
- A little cheeky
Best swim dress
Zando Athletic One-Piece Tummy Control Swim Dress
This adorable suit, which has more than 5,400 five-star reviews, looks more like a modern tennis dress, making it easy to go from activity to activity at an all-inclusive resort. Its skirt, which is high-waisted for more shaping, takes the attention away from your tummy, and the crisscrossing on the torso is flattering and visually slimming. Plus, if you’re looking to cover up a little more—or, more specifically, cover your butt—this is the suit for you. One customer raves that the Zando is a “very slimming suit that hides just enough to make me feel more confident going to the beach, but not so much that I feel like a prude. And the floral pattern is so pretty!”
Pros:
- The built-in boyshort with tummy control offers additional coverage and support
- Available in more than 25 prints and colors
Con:
- Some reviewers wish the skirt was a little longer
Best two-piece
Angerella Vintage High-Waisted Polka Dot Bathing Suit
How cute is this vintage-inspired suit?! The exaggerated retro look complements curvy figures, and the ruching on the bottoms adds a flattering detail. And women love it, as evidenced by its 8,600-plus glowing reviews on Amazon. One happy customer, who’s generally a size 12 to 14, raves, “This suit right here is an OMG moment. Order this and fall in love with your body.” This polka dot number is available in more than 35 colors and prints, and you’ll likely want to buy more than one of them.
Plus, this bathing suit has another perk that personal stylists love: You’ll make a ton of use out of the tummy control bottoms by mixing things up with your choice on top. “A fabulous bottom will add variety to your swim collection because you can mix and match dozens of tops with it,” notes Casey Brown, a body-image and self-love advocate.
Pros:
- High-waisted bottoms cover your tummy
- Available in a wide variety of colors and patterns
- Quick-drying fabric
Con:
- Only available as a set
Best plus size
Aqua Eve Plus Size One-Piece Swimsuit
There are so many features that make this Aqua Eve one-piece a terrific plus-size tummy control swimsuit: Its V-neck is flattering without being too revealing, its shirred front tummy control design is slimming, and its removable padded push-up bra is supportive. Plus, if you choose one of the suits with a solid black bottom, it will flatter your tummy even further. “After a long, painful search for a decent swimsuit, this is the answer to my prayers. Not exaggerating!” writes five-star reviewer Kristin. “This is such a perfect fit, and I feel good in it.” Available in sizes 12 to 24, it’s definitely one of our top picks for plus-size swimwear.
Pros:
- The dark bottom camouflages your tummy, and the floral top draws the eye up
- Offers full coverage on the bottom
- Available in 18 patterns and colors
Con:
- Some reviewers say the padded bra can move around a little
Best one-piece
Hilor One-Piece Crossover Swimsuit
It’s easy to see why this Hilor bathing suit is the number one best seller in the Women’s One-Piece Swimsuits category on Amazon, with more than 14,500 five-star reviews. “It’s super flattering, and it looks amazing on,” says reviewer Julie, who liked it so much that she bought a second one. It comes in nearly 50 pretty patterns and colors, so you’re sure to find one (or two) that you love for your next beach trip. New mom Sarah calls it a “perfect postpartum confidence booster” that brilliantly accentuates all the right curves and disguises the others. She explains, “The thought of a sheer middle made me uneasy, but it actually creates a pretty awesome optical illusion and makes your waist look smaller! JUST BUY IT ALREADY!”
Pros:
- Stretchy striped bands around the waist create a slimming silhouette
- Comfortable tummy control panel
- Available in dozens of patterns and colors
Con:
- Tall women may find it a little short in the torso
Best for small busts
Miraclesuit Oceanus One-Piece Swimsuit
Miraclesuit is known for making some of the best tummy control swimsuits on the market. They’re designed to help you look 10 pounds lighter in 10 seconds, and the strategic draping conceals your midsection. But what may come as a surprise is that the Oceanus suit is also great for small busts. The V-neck is flattering, and the soft-cup bra gives subtle lift and support that’s on par with your favorite regular bra. Plus, the Miratex fabric provides all-over body control, shaping and slimming your figure. As reviewer Kristen Hanna says, “Miraclesuit #FTW!”
Pros:
- The wrap style visually slims your stomach and whittles your waist for an hourglass shape
- Delivers three times the control of ordinary swimwear fabrics
- Lifts your bust
Con:
- Pricey
Best for large busts
Miraclesuit Illusionist Crossover One-Piece
It’s no surprise that Miraclesuit also makes the best tummy control swimsuit for women with large busts. This popular one-piece has a built-in shelf bra with wire-free foam cups and thick, stationary straps that stay in place for additional support. It also offers firm control all over and features sheer, mesh side panels that are stylish and visually interesting. “Everything it promises, it delivers,” says one reviewer. “Perfect fit for a short, curvy figure.”
Pros:
- Supportive foam cups and thick straps
- Miraclesuit is all about looking 10 pounds lighter in 10 seconds
- Shirred, crisscross ruching gives a slimming illusion
Con:
- Reviewers suggest sizing up
Best ruffled
Angerella Ruffled Overlay High Waist Tankini
The ruffled top of this retro Angerella tankini is so pretty and flouncy, it immediately draws attention away from what’s underneath it. The bottom is high waisted, solid colored, and designed with tummy control—all of which are ideal for keeping you looking your best. No wonder it has more than 1,200 five-star reviews that rave about how flattering and slimming it is, not to mention flirty and stylish. Plus, as one happy customer notes, “This suit covered all the things I wanted covered without looking like I was trying to cover them.”
Pros:
- High-waisted bottom
- Removable padded bra
- Available in more than two dozen colors and prints
Con:
- The pieces aren’t available as separates
Best front cross
B2prity Tummy Control Front Cross Bathing Suit
Similar to a wrap, a front cross is super flattering, pulling the eye up from the midsection with interesting detail, shape, and a coordinating color or print. This particular one-piece is a #1 Amazon Best Seller boasting more than 3,700 five-star ratings, and while it’s not made with compression fabric, the illusion of the darker bottom and more involved top will work some serious magic.
“I love this suit! It’s super comfy to wear, offers good stretch, and best of all, it minimizes my tummy (my problem area),” writes verified Amazon reviewer Amanda. And another fan notes, “I love the crisscross at the cleavage. It gives the whole suit a slimming effect. I like this so much I’m going to buy some other patterns too.” Luckily, it’s available in dozens!
Pros:
- Comfortable stretchy fabric
- Adjustable straps for extra support
- Available in 44 colors and patterns
Con:
- No compression material
Best striped
Tempt Me Ruffle One-Piece Tummy Control Swimsuit
When it comes to features that flatter, this Tempt Me suit checks so many boxes. It wraps, has eye-catching ruffles, and boasts tummy control—all of which creates a slimming effect and builds confidence. On top of all that, it also comes in this beachy blue-and-white vertical stripe that elongates your look. “I love the cut, and the vertical stripes are definitely slimming,” raves five-star reviewer Sara, while another happy customer writes, “Very flattering suit. Not normally a ruffles person but distracts from other less flattering areas.”
Pros:
- Waist-cinching side tie is adjustable
- Features a padded push-up bra for support and shaping
- Wide shoulder straps
Con:
- May be best for those with larger busts
Best one-shoulder
Summersalt Sidestroke
The Sidestroke sold out a whopping 25 times in 2017 when it first launched. What makes it so great? “A good tummy control swimsuit—like this one—is made of a high-compression material,” says Brown. “It works like shapewear to keep everything in place, but lets you eat, drink, and move around comfortably.” Plus, the diagonal, color-blocked lines and the dark bottom provide an instantly slimming effect, not to mention an incredibly stylish one.
Pros:
- The fabric has four times the compression of regular swimwear
- Diagonal color-blocking is also slimming
- Full-coverage bottom
Con:
- No cups or padding
Most stylish
Magicsuit Isabel One-Piece Swimsuit
Our pick for the most stylish tummy control swimsuit, this Magicsuit one-piece is filled with feminine details, like a fluttery ruffle and adjustable beaded straps that are not just practical but also draw attention up. “A fun top can be an attention grabber,” notes Brown. “Plus, when we’re in the pool, the top is what most people will see, so we might as well make a statement with it!”
Pros:
- Ruffle moves the focus off your tummy
- Tummy control panel and shirred sides
- Full-coverage bottom
Con:
- Available only in one color
Best color blocking
Tommy Bahama Island Cays Colorblock Wrap-Front Swimsuit
Color blocking isn’t just a fashion-forward choice—it’s also a slimming one. “Color blocking can help create an illusion and accentuate your waist,” says Armitage. “It can make your waist appear slimmer when there are contrasting colors around your waistline or the sides of your torso.” In addition to whittling your waist, this Tommy Bahama suit also offers UPF 50 sun protection for the times when you’re not hanging out under a beach umbrella. Reviewers call it “the best bathing suit ever” and “fabulous and flattering,” with many mentioning all the compliments they’ve received when wearing it.
Pros:
- Tummy control panel
- Draws the eye up and away from your middle
- The wrap front adds shape and definition
Con:
- Reviewers recommend sizing up
Best tankini
Venus Maximum Shaping Tankini
The vacation-inspired tropical print of this Venus tummy control tankini helps keep the attention off your middle. It can even be paired with the coordinating high-waist bottom for a complete look. But whether you opt for that one or a lower-waisted bikini bottom, it’s a good idea to go with a dark color. “A lot of women find comfort in wearing dark solid bottoms to keep attention off areas that they aren’t as comfortable showing off,” explains Brown. “By pairing a bright or patterned top, it allows them to stay within their comfort zone while showing some personality.”
Pros:
- The ruching combined with the print flatters—and flattens—your tummy
- Dark bottom available in two styles
- Halter-tie closure offers flexibility
Con:
- Because it’s form fitting, it can take time to get on and off
Best bikini bottom
Empetua High-Waisted Control Bikini Bottom
These empowering swimsuit pics prove there’s no one bikini body, and Empetua makes the best tummy control bottoms for women who are wary of rocking a two-piece swimsuit. They’re high-waisted to cover your tummy, and they feature light compression and a tummy-shaping panel that women love. “I have been wearing one-piece bathing suits since my kids were born, but these bottoms really gave me the confidence I needed,” says one reviewer. Ruching enhances the look, which another reviewer calls “just perfect,” adding that these bottoms fit snugly without creating “the dreaded muffin top.”
Pros:
- Tummy-shaping panel and ruching
- Sold on its own, so you can pair it with the top of your choice
- Full backside coverage
Con:
- Some reviewers say it’s a little long for shorter women
Best strapless
Swimsuits for All Spliced One-Piece Swimsuit
If you’re looking for the best strapless tummy control swimsuit, this Swimsuits for All option has a shelf bra with sewn-in cups and side bra boning for support. It even comes with straps, so you can change your mind. The diagonal lines are so slimming, as our experts have noted, and the suit provides full-bottom coverage as well. “The fit was just right, and I have gotten many compliments!” says one verified buyer. Wish strapless bras fit this well? They can! Check out our favorite strapless bras that stay put.
Pros:
- Fully lined, with Power Mesh tummy control front lining
- Supportive shelf bra
- Available in sizes 4 to 26
Con:
- Reviewers suggest sizing up
Best wrap
Lands’ End Slender Tummy Control Wrap One-Piece
This great-looking suit from Lands’ End’s SlenderSuits collection is all about creating a slimming look—something wraps are really good at doing. Made of firming Slendertex fabric, which is designed to smooth and shape, it features strategically placed crisscross shirring to make you “look a whole size smaller,” according to the brand. Reviewers agree, with one writing, “I love how this tucks my tummy and holds my large breasts while swimming laps.”
Pros:
- Made with slimming Slendertex fabric
- Features UPF 50 sun protection
- Soft-cup bra shapes and supports
Con:
- Some reviewers say it faded after a few wearings
Best square neck
Soma Swim Square Neck One-Piece
A square neck is flattering because it helps balance wider hips and enhance the look of a larger bust. This Soma swimsuit goes even further with a smoothing front that seems to hide any tummy imperfections. “This swimsuit is magic!” raves one five-star reviewer who describes herself as “curvy.” She continues, “I bought this in black, and it is incredibly slimming. I’ve never felt better in a swimsuit.”
Pros:
- Smoothing front
- Lace-up back grabs attention from the midsection
- Adjustable straps for extra support
Con:
- Available only in two colors
Best maternity
Seraphine Supportive Maternity Swimsuit
You don’t want to hide your baby bump, but this is the best maternity swimsuit for showing it off in its best light. “I’m 23 weeks pregnant, and this is the first time I’ve felt good in maternity wear,” says one mom-to-be reviewer on Seraphine’s site. It’s got the perfect amount of ruching at the sides, which is flattering and allows room to grow, and the straps are adjustable as your body changes. Plus, check out the retro-style top and the cute cinched belt with the gold clasp. You’ll want to wear it to one of these babymoon destinations or, if this isn’t your first child, on these affordable beach vacations with the rest of the family.
Pros:
- The optional empire-waist belt draws attention to your slimmest point
- Underwire cups with light padding add support
- Grows with your baby bump
Con:
- Available only in one color
Next, browse through the best bathing suits for women over 50.
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Sources:
- Elise Armitage, founder of What the Fab
- Casey Walker Brown, body-image and self-love advocate and founder of Street, Beats and Eats