These are the 6 most supportive swimsuits for large busts - trust me, I'm a size 32FF

If you struggle to find supportive swimwear, you're not alone. I wear a size 32FF, and I'm always on the lookout for styles I can confidently wear for swimming and strolling along the beach without feeling self-conscious. Luckily, with all the same technical design details as the best bras for big busts, there's a range of swimsuits, tankinis and bikinis to choose from.

"Swimwear should be supportive, comfortable, and look great - especially since it's made to endure all the fun and activity of our holidays", says lingerie stylist and bra expert Katie Weir "Cup-sized swimwear lifts, supports, and holds your bust for improved posture - and provides that amazing feeling of taking the weight off your shoulders. When your swimwear fits perfectly, you’ll notice far less spillage, digging in and discomfort."

I've made it my mission to test the best swimwear for large busts, so wherever you’re headed this summer, these 6 styles will take care of your boobs while you focus on having fun.

The quick list: my top 6

Here's a quick synopsis of the best swimsuits for large busts. If you want to find out more about each style, I go into further detail below.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best swimsuits for large busts: Tried and tested

I've been a fashion stylist for over 30 years and have dressed hundreds of women of all shapes and sizes. I'm also a trained bra fitter, so I know the signs to watch out for when choosing a well-fitting swimsuit. If you've got big boobs and want to embrace them there are plunge and halterneck bikinis that will enhance your natural shape. If you prefer to reduce the appearance of your boobs, or simply want a more streamlined look you will appreciate the coverage and support of the best tummy control swimsuits.

I tested over 40 different styles from a range of stockists, making note of how they fitted, how supportive and comfortable they felt, how flattering they looked, and how easy they were to wash and dry. Ready to dive in? Here's everything you need to know about the best swimsuits for large busts.

Best value for money swimsuit for large busts

M&S is one of the best bra brands, whatever your shape or size. However, most of their own-label swimwear is sold in dress sizes (6-24) rather than being bra-sized, so I was happily surprised to find that this season's offering included styles especially designed with more tailored support.

This swimsuit has a built-in moulded and lightly padded bra, with firm and full cups and a bra-like clasp hidden at the back for complete support. The front of the swimsuit wraps over, hiding the cups and creating a flattering V-neckline, with a push-up effect that creates a cleavage. It is fully lined with a firm mesh fabric that holds my tummy in, too. The straps are thin and can be adjusted to get the perfect fit. I felt fully supported and contained wearing a size 34F.

At under £40, this swimsuit is great value for money compared to other styles with built-in bra support, and it's machine washable too.

Verdict: This is a well-designed swimsuit that gave me a great shape while supporting my boobs. I felt confident and comfortable while wearing it.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best bandeau swimsuit for large busts

This is a bandeau-style swimsuit with detachable straps that are easy to remove. The front of the swimsuit is ruched across the tummy area, with a twist in the fabric at the bust. It's a non-wired style; however, strips of soft and flexible boning are hidden within the side seams at the bust to ensure the swimsuit stays in place. I was a bit worried that this boning would feel uncomfortable under my arms, but it's flexible and secured within the lining, so I didn't feel it at all.

I wasn't expecting this swimsuit to feel as supportive as it does. It has a very firm mesh lining that really did work to hold my tummy in. I found this swimsuit very comfortable to wear. I added the straps to go for a swim, and it didn't roll down. After swimming, I hand-washed the swimsuit and hung it up to dry. It washed well and dried in a couple of hours.

Verdict: I felt slimmer and more streamlined in this swimsuit due to the firm mesh lining that did a great job holding in my tummy. It's easy to detach the straps to create a bandeau style that's perfect for sunbathing. With the straps attached, it provided a medium level of support.

You can find out more in my full Pour Moi Santa Monica Swimsuit review

• Back to the top ⤴

Best Wrap Swimsuit for large busts

I was instantly attracted to this swimsuit by the vibrant orange colour and drape detailing, which stood out among the other styles on the shop floor. The reviews said it fits small, so I opted for one size bigger than I usually take, and this gave me more coverage over the bust area.

Out of the six swimsuits on this list, this one was the least supportive. However, I loved the natural shape it gave me with its low plunge neckline. The soft foam cups acted like a T-shirt bra to create a smooth line. The straps were gathered on the shoulder, creating more room at the bust.

The front of the swimsuit is lined with a firm mesh, giving medium support. The fabric is coated to provide SPF 50+ and has 15% Lycra, which helps it retain its shape.

Verdict: This swimsuit is designed to show off your curves with draping and a flattering plunge neckline. It doesn't offer firm support but does provide ample coverage, and it's incredibly comfortable to wear and swim in.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best full cup bikini for large busts

I have been wearing Fantasie bras for many years: they specialise in lingerie for women with fuller busts, and their Fusion lace plunge bra is one of my favourites. This bikini top is constructed in the same way as a full cup bra. The outer cups are gathered at the front and are generously cut for complete coverage. The lining is constructed using 3 parts that include a side sling panel, and the back wings are lined with a firmer mesh fabric for increased support. The straps adjust at the back and are attached to the front with decorative loops and a gold apex trim.

I was fitted in store and measured a size 32FF, which fitted perfectly, with no overspill at the cups or digging in wires or straps. This bikini top passed the bounce test: the underwiring and inner side-support sling gave me plenty of support for both walking around and swimming. I found this style comfortable to wear, and I loved how it lifted and supported my bust, giving me a more perky shape! As with all underwired items, this bikini is hand-wash only. I simply rinsed it through with cool water and left it to dry. It took a while to dry due to the gathers on the cups, but it was ready to wear the following day.

Verdict: If you wear a size D+ bra, you're going to love the confidence and shape this bikini gives you. I felt secure when wearing it since it offers full coverage and underwired support. Well worth investing!

You can find out more in my full Fantasie Punta Mita Bikini Top review

• Back to the top ⤴

Best underwired swimsuit for large busts

Bravissimo has thirty years of experience in designing bras and swimwear. I've worn many of their styles, including their bestselling Millie balcony bra, which is one of my everyday favourites.

I was intrigued to try this style because, from the outside, I didn't think it was going to be supportive - I was wrong! Turn the swimsuit inside out, and you will discover that it's fully lined and there's a separate underwired bra with full-coverage cups. I love the fact that you can adjust the neckline of this swimsuit to get the right fit. I felt fully supported and contained wearing a size 34F, and the balconette cups lifted my boobs into place. The legs were a little higher cut than I am used to, although my bottom was fully covered, and I did have to tug at the sides a little when getting up from my sunbed. However, I think the higher cut legs actually made my legs look longer, which was a bonus.

This swimsuit is a bit more expensive than others I own, but I was very impressed with the quality of the fabric, which was silkier and more stretchy than the others. It felt luxurious and very comfortable to wear. I hand-washed it using a mild detergent and laid it flat to dry. It took a little longer to dry than other thinner swimsuits.

Verdict: This is a well-designed swimsuit from a brand that understands the needs of curvy women. The concealed balconette cups held me firmly in place, and the tummy control lining ensured it retained its shape. This swimsuit will boost your confidence on the beach this summer.

You can find out more in my full Bravissimo Koh Samui Swimsuit review

• Back to the top ⤴

Best textured swimsuit for large busts

Swimsuits made from crinkled fabric are having a moment in the spotlight thanks to a revival of the 80s brand Hunza G, and there are many lookalike designs to choose from. However, the concept of a 'one-size-fits-all" design isn't always suitable if you have larger boobs and need more coverage. When I saw this textured swimsuit from Damart, which is available in sizes 10-28, I decided to put it through its paces. Damart is well-respected for thermals, but many are unaware that they make great swimwear too.

Although this is a soft, non-padded style, the cups have small darts under the bustline to create more volume in the cups. The simple no-fuss design made it look more expensive; in fact, it really reminded me of a designer Heidi Klein bathing suit. Because it's textured, the fabric feels thicker than other styles, which helps create a smoother silhouette.

Verdict: I felt great in this swimsuit! It doesn't give as much support as underwired styles, but the thickness of the fabric works to hold your boobs in place.

• Back to the top ⤴

Styles that just missed the list

How we tested the best swimwear for large busts

After extensively researching swimwear suitable for women with big busts, both online and on the high street, I selected 40 styles to put to the test. I tried on every style before selecting my favourites. I wore each of the six for a couple of hours, both relaxing and walking around, to check how supportive they felt. I also tried them out at my local pool to see how they performed in water. I then washed them to test their staying power, too.

These are the main factors I considered:

• Support: This was my main priority for this particular feature. I made sure all the styles I tested were available in sizes DD+. I noted how well the swimwear compressed and altered the shape of my boobs. I made note of how supported I felt by the cups - was there any overspill or bulging?
• Quality of materials: I considered the fabric and how it felt against my skin. I looked at the construction of the swimwear and made note of how well it was made, paying particular attention to the seams and how the underwires were concealed. I looked at the clasp and whether they were sturdy enough to keep the top in place. I then washed each swimsuit once, following the manufacturer's instructions, and checked for any changes in the quality, fit or comfort. I will continue to wear the final styles and ensure this feature is updated if I feel that further wear and washing diminish the quality.
• Comfort: I considered exactly how comfortably the swimwear fitted. Was there underwiring, and did it start to dig in after a few hours? Did the straps stay in place, and were they easy to adjust?
• RRP: I wanted to test a range of prices and see if it was necessary to spend more money for supportive swimwear.
• Style: I tried to find different types of swimwear, from functional one-pieces to more glamorous bikinis.

FAQs

Wired or Non-wired - what's the best option?

Lingerie stylist and bra expert Katie Weir says, "Both wired and non-wired styles can offer great support - when they fit properly. It often comes down to personal preference and the type of holiday you’re on. For example, an underwired bandeau bikini top is perfect for catching a tan on your shoulders while still offering lift and support without straps. But if you're heading to a super hot and humid destination where your body might swell, you may prefer to skip the wires and opt for a cup and back-sized string bikini or supportive swimsuit."

 Is it better to size up or down in swimwear?

When buying new swimwear, it’s important to get the fit right if you want to feel well-supported. Bikini tops that are available in bra sizes are the best option if you have bigger boobs, but you can afford to go up a band size if you want to feel more comfortable. Compression swimsuits with a high percentage of elastane are designed to feel tighter in order to smooth over any lumps or bumps, so a larger size may give you a more comfortable fit.

Our experts:

Katie Weir

Katie is a renowned bra expert and lingerie stylist with over 16 years of experience. With a specialist focus on fuller bust fittings, she has worked alongside leading brands such as Curvy Kate, Freya and Panache, shaping the conversation around support, body confidence and inclusive sizing. Her expertise has been featured in top publications including Stylist, Grazia and The Telegraph, where she's recognised for her ability to combine technical fit knowledge with a warm, uplifting approach. Through her virtual bra fitting sessions, she empowers women to rediscover comfort and confidence in their own skin.