I put the best swimsuits for large busts to the test - these are the 6 styles I really rate

Whether you’re planning to sunbathe and sip cocktails or are looking to make a splash in the pool this summer, the best swimsuits for large busts will will take care of your boobs so you can focus on having fun.

With all the technical design details found in the best bras for big busts, there's a range of supportive swimsuits, tankinis and bikinis to choose from, and I've made it my mission to test how they perform.

I'm a firm believer in wearing whatever you want, however, I know from experience that many women feel a certain amount of trepidation when it comes to swimwear. A recent nationwide survey of British women aged 30+, commissioned by lingerie and swimwear brand Pour Moi, revealed that 34% of women are not at all confident wearing swimwear in public, while only 7% express full confidence in beachwear situations.

Lingerie stylist and bra expert Katie Weir has this advice. "Never underestimate the power of perfectly fitting swimwear. Unlike our lingerie, we can't cover up ill-fitting swimwear with clothes!" she says.

"Swimwear should be supportive, comfortable, and look great – especially since it's made to endure all the fun and activity of our holidays. Correctly fitting swimwear offers an immediate confidence boost. Cup and back-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, discomfort – and yes, even boob sweat!"

The quick list: my top 6

I have summarised and condensed my findings, and here follows a quick synopsis of the 6 best swimsuits for large busts. If you want to find out more about each style, I go into further detail below, plus you will find links to each review in full.

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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.

The extra details can mean that the best swimwear for large busts can often be a little more expensive than everyday basics, but it's worth investing in some classic buys to keep your boobs in check. An investment buy will look great for years to come. I tested over 30 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 non-wired swimsuit for large busts

Magisculpt's swimsuits and bikinis are designed to offer various levels of support and control. They also have a range of the best shapewear, and many of those clever design tricks are used in their swimwear too. From the outside, this swimsuit looks simple and sporty, but when you turn it inside out you can immediately see why it looks so flattering on.

The soft foam cups are fixed above a firm elasticated band that works like the most comfortable bras to give compressed support without the need for underwiring. The front is lined with a medium control mesh fabric that gives the swimsuit structure and helps to hold in and smooth over the tummy area. The scoop neckline isn't too deep, so my boobs were completely contained with just a tiny peek of cleavage. The fixed straps are soft and stretchy, so they didn't dig in or slip down from my shoulders.

I wear a size 12 and I'm 5'6", and I would say this swimsuit fits true to size. I had the straps pulled up to their tightest, so if you are long in the body, you will benefit from being able to lengthen them for a more comfortable fit. The swimsuit performed well in the pool - I felt secure while swimming, and the fabric didn't sag when wet. Afterwards, I popped the swimsuit into my machine on a quick cool wash, and there was no change in the quality or colour of the fabric. The fabric is fairly thick, so it did take a while to air dry.

Verdict: I loved this swimsuit - it made me feel confident and was comfortable to wear. The power mesh lining really did work - holding in my tummy and smoothing over my lumps and bumps. Great colour too.

You can find out more in my full Magisculpt Medium Control Contour Me Scalloped Swimsuit review

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Best Halterneck Bikini for large busts

Shapermint has been popping up on my Instagram feed for a while now, and I've been impressed with the body confident and curvy women they use to promote their designs.

This halterneck bikini top has a small opening to allow you to remove the lightweight pads that are hidden inside. The underwires are soft and flexible. The cups provided complete coverage under my arms and across the top of my boobs, but the plunging neckline did reveal quite a lot of cleavage. I felt confident walking and swimming gently in it, but it didn't feel supportive enough for anything more active.

Made from a smooth and soft fabric, this bikini top is light, with no clasps or decorative details that could dig in or irritate. I felt great in this top, as the neckline made my shoulders look narrower and drew attention to my cleavage. You can easily adjust the top for a perfect fit; you simply tighten or loosen the straps according to your size and the amount of support needed. I tied the straps firmly so that I felt my boobs were lifted. The bikini washed well and retained its shape, and dried quickly.

Verdict: This is a great bikini top for wearing on holiday when you want to relax and catch some sun. The halterneck design will support your bust while giving your cleavage a boost.

You can find out more in my full Shapermint Essentials Halter Bikini Top review

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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 drip 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. For under £50, it's great value for money.

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

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Best tankini for large busts

Although this is a soft, non-wired style, the inner mesh lining is firm enough to compress and support the bust, and I felt confident swimming in it. The flattering V-neckline exposes just a hint of cleavage. Available in dual cup sizing up to a JJ cup this is a great option for women with big boobs. I opted to try a size 34F/FF, which was actually a little big for me; I would have been better with a 32F/FF in order to get a firmer fit and increased support. So if you're between sizes, I would suggest sizing down.

Both sides can be ruched up to make the top shorter, creating gathers over the tummy area and bow details on the hip. The straps are firm and easy to adjust. They can be unhooked at the back to switch from shoulder straps to a cross-back style. Easy to slip into and adjust, this tankini was really comfy to wear. The soft and stretchy fabric felt very cool to touch, so it's a great design to wear if you are heading to a hot and tropical climate, as there are no underwires to cause discomfort in the heat or dig in.

Verdict: A great tankini top to wear if you want to combine the coverage of a swimsuit with the convenience of a bikini. It provided a good level of support and was comfortable to wear. The drawstring sides allowed me to control the amount of coverage I wanted on my tummy area

You can find out more in my full Curvy Kate Ripple Reef Tankini Top review

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Best full-cup bikini for large busts

I have been wearing Fantasie bras for many years: they specialise in lingerie for women with a fuller bust, 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 drip dry. It took a while to dry due to the gathers on the cups, but it was ready to wear again 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

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Best underwired swimsuit for large busts

Bravissimo is one of the best bra brands with thirty years' experience and expertise in designing bras and swimwear. I have worn many of their bras, 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

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Ones 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 30 styles to put to the test. I ensured I had the correct size, and I tried on every style before selecting my six 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 for this trial:

• How well it supported the bust: This was my main priority for this particular feature. I'm a size 32FF and 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 over-spill 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 if 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 six styles and ensure this feature is updated if I feel that further wear and washing diminishes the quality.
• Comfort and support: 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 experience in the lingerie and swimwear industry. 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.