Shopping for the best maternity swimsuits can be tricky. You have to take into account an expanding belly and pregnancy symptoms like sore breasts. My advice? Don’t beat yourself up over it. Hey, you don’t even technically need maternity swimwear. Many moms we spoke to told us they simply grabbed their favorite one-piece bathing suit or high-waisted bikini one size larger.
If you’re down to dig, though, there is an upside to maternity swimwear. “Typically, maternity-specific swimsuits have added fabric in the midsection, which helps achieve a better fit while your body is changing size,” says Gabrielle Carrington, a product developer for Kindred Bravely, one of the most popular maternity-wear brands. Adjustable straps are also nice to have, says Carrington, since they allow you to tighten the suit as it stretches with use and wear. Built-in shelf bras can also help everything stay supported and in place too.
To save you time in the fitting room (or a few extra scrolls if you’re shopping for a gift for a pregnant friend), we hand-picked the best maternity bathing suits. These tankinis, one-pieces, and bikinis are all made with you and your bump in mind, so you can feel more comfortable and stylish while at the beach or pool.
The best maternity swimsuits, at a glance
- Best Overall: Ruched Sides Front Cutout Maternity One Piece Swimsuit, $54
- Best One-Piece: Summer Mae One-Piece Maternity Swimsuit, $39
- Best Plus-Size: YouSwim Eva Suit,$159
- Best Maternity Bikini: Summer Mae Maternity High-Waist Swimsuit, $40
- Best for All Trimesters: Reef Striped Super-Stretch Maternity Swimsuit, $62
- Best Maternity Rashguard Set: Kimi and Kai Two-Piece Maternity Rashguard Swimsuit, $68
Your maternity swimsuit questions, answered
When should you start wearing a maternity swimsuit?
Many women start to notice that their nonmaternity clothes no longer fit the way they once did toward the latter part of the first trimester and the beginning of the second—usually at around 12 weeks. That said, you don’t have to ever wear a maternity swimsuit if you don’t want to. A handful of moms we spoke to said they simply wore accommodating bikinis or purchased a relatively inexpensive bathing suit in a size larger than they would usually wear.
Do you need to size up in maternity swimsuits?
Though it may seem counterintuitive, don’t worry about sizing up. When shopping for maternity-specific suits, you can buy your typical size while still knowing you get the extra room for your growing belly, says Carrington. If you’re exploring nonmaternity swimwear, size up at least one size, maybe even two if you’re toward the end of your pregnancy or carrying multiples.
