The 12 Best Plus-Size Bikinis of 2024

InStyle / Jaclyn Mastropasqua

Plus-size bikinis and two-piece swim options should be a welcome addition to any vacation packing. You can wear bottoms over a pair of Gucci tights like Lizzo, or embrace a bikini top underneath a mesh shirt or light jacket for a layered look. It all depends on your vibe and what you’re willing to experiment with.

The steady increase of indie brands and major retailers carrying bikinis for larger sizes, resulted in more diverse bodies snatching up these sexy styles and sharing with the social media world how good they look. You can't go wrong with any of the choices on our list, so read on for our favorites.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Nomads Swimwear Bay Top II at Nomadsswimwear.com (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Cupshe Plus-Size Three Piece Bikini Set at Amazon ($40)

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

Chromat Mica Ribbed at Chromat.co (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best Triangle:

Curvy Beach Classic Black Triangle Top at Curvybeach.com (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best Full-Coverage:

Torrid Torrid Wireless Triangle Bikini at Torrid.com (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best Balconette:

Adore Me Daeny Contour at Adoreme.com (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best Tie:

Wild Isles Dottie Tie at Wildislesswim.com (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best Ruffle:

Alpine Butterfly Ellie Top at Alpinebutterflyswim.com (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best Long-Sleeve:

Swimsuits For All O-Ring Long Sleeve Swimsuit Set at Swimsuitsforall.com (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best One-Shoulder:

Summersalt The Ruched Sidestroke Bikini Top at Summersalt.com ($50)

Jump to Review

Best Overall

View On Nomadsswimwear.com

What We Love

This sexy cleavage moment with the mesh paneling.

What We Don't Love

The one-shoulder top can be over-compressive.

Many plus-size babes flock to Nomads for their bikinis, including influencer Danyelle Miller. "It's the most comfortable [cut], and I'm so glad I'm past the days I thought I needed a specific body type to wear a bikini," she tells InStyle. Mesh paneling at the top creates a subtle peek-a-boo-moment over cleavage in a funky fuschia color for a vibrant pop of color by the pool. (If you’re not into vibrant hues, you can find the other colors here.) This top from the woman-owned brand pairs best with the matching Bay bottom, which also has a mesh line.

Not only does the one-shoulder strap follow bikini trends of the moment, but the straps support your bust more than you’d probably think. When trying this style on, I noticed more compression on the strapless side, but the extended width of the top secures side fat for a more comfortable fit. Nomads styles are measured based on your dress measurements and run true to size, so if you want a tighter fit, the brand recommends sizing down.

Size Range: 0X-5X | Fabric: Nylon, Spandex | Colors: 4 | Padding: Removable | Set: Sold separately

Buy the bottoms: Bay Bottom II ($115)

Best Budget

View On Amazon $40 View On Cupshe.com

What We Love

It comes in a three-piece set, giving you more bang for your buck.

What We Don't Love

The styles run small and fit tightly.

Any bikini or two-piece swimsuit that comes in a complete set, rather than sold as separates, instantly wins my vote. But make that a three-piece set? I'm sold. This three-piece bikini set from Cupshe includes a string bikini top, cheeky bikini bottoms, and a matching mesh top, creating a sultry poolside look. This string bikini will highlight every curve and roll, as it should. The triangle top cut covers only the front of the breasts with straps around the back and neck securing the top. There is extra padding to keep headlight nipples away, but you can remove them in case you don't want or need them. Unfortunately, the styles run small — if you're between sizes or need extra room in the belly portion for bottoms, expect a very tight fit if sizing up isn't possible.

Size Range: 0X-3X | Fabric: Nylon, Spandex | Colors: 1 | Padding: Removable | Set: Sold separately

Best Splurge

Chromat

View On Chromat.co

What We Love

The adjustable back strap creates a tighter, more secure fit.

What We Don’t Love

The style cuts short in the back, so you might need to re-adjust while wearing.

Chromat puts its proverbial foot on the neck of other luxury brands by constantly highlighting plus-size bodies on runways and in advertisements. Influencer and NYC Plus founder Sarah Chiwaya wears more than her fair share of swimsuits, but she consistently turns to Chromat for its interchangeable styles that work with different body types and comfort levels. Chromat offers various swim pieces in different cuts made in the same materials and jacquard knit to mix and match if you want. This simple, ribbed two-piece looks like an underwear set but features the softness of lycra, a synthetic material traditionally used for swimwear.

You’ll have to purchase bikini bottoms separately, but that does give you the option of choosing between a traditional brief and boxer cut. Each will be comfortable, but the latter style offers more coverage. The buckle across the back adjusts with the help of a hook closure. Larger sizes even have thicker straps in the back for comfort. But just a warning: they tend to ride up while wearing, making it necessary to pull down through a lot of activity.

Size Range: 00-6 | Fabric: Spandex | Colors: 3 | Padding: Not included | Set: Sold separately

Buy the bottoms: Mica Ribbed Bottoms ($88)

Best Triangle

View On Curvybeach.com

What We Love

The triangle cut has a secure knotted loop at the top for added support.

What We Don't Love

Styles are often out of stock, making it difficult to find a complete bikini set.

Curvy Beach is the place to go if you're plus-size and want a bikini made for your body type. Founder, Elizabeth Taylor, tells InStyle that she started the trend of plus-size string bikinis in 2017 with a focus on styles that work with (not against) the shape of her target customers. "The bikini should fit you — not you to the bikini," says Taylor. The Triangle Top is made from an elastic material that fits tight across your body without uncomfortable squeezing. Taylor's designs include a thicker "string" and double loops at the tops of the triangle bikini to keep strain off the neck while lifting your breasts. "I love a good bikini, especially after growing up having to wear dowdy skirted tankinis. Whatever style I go for, I want it to be fun and current," Chiwaya shares.

The brand prides itself on its flexible sizing, based on bra measurements which run relatively large, notes Taylor. "Most of our customers size down as I made sure we had a generous fit, to be the opposite of most swimwear. However, many styles are often out of stock (understandable, since it's a small business), but if you're looking for a matching set, you might have to wait for specific styles to come back in your size.

Size Range: 1X-4X | Fabric: Nylon, Spandex | Colors: 18 | Padding: Not included (Buy here) | Set: Sold separately

Buy the bottoms: Classic Black Side Tie Bottom ($69)

Best Full-Coverage

View On Torrid.com

What We Love

The top offers full coverage while staying sexy in design.

What We Don't Love

The included padding can't be removed.

For the longest time, I only bought bathing suits from two places; Walmart and Torrid. The latter is still my go-to thanks to the brand's trendy styles and stretchy swimsuits that I know will last me several years (and through size changes). An all-black swimsuit makes me feel vaguely like Morticia Addams… but if she sunbathed.

This triangle bikini top offers ample boob support on the side and back, keeping spillage minimal, with measurements focused on the bust, ensuring your boobs won't get smooshed in the process. A thick lining of the nylon and spandex blend lays flat under breasts, keeping any underboob from slipping, even if you Baywatch jog down the beach. While the padding can’t be removed, it’s light enough that you won't feel it. The adjustable straps can crisscross into a supporting pattern, so make sure to reapply sunscreen frequently to avoid any unfortunate tan lines.

Size Range: 00-6 | Fabric: Nylon, Spandex | Colors: 1 | Padding: Non-Removable | Set: Sold separately

Buy the bottoms: High-Rise Lattice Side Swim Bottom ($45)

Best Balconette

Adore Me

View On Adoreme.com

What We Love

Customers can create a custom fit with individual top and bottom sizes.

What We Don't Love

The top includes an underwire in the cup causing the wire to dig into the underboob.

Any busty babe who wants to display their chest proudly should own a balconette bra — they definitely have a chokehold over my life. When influencer Rubeiri Cornelio wants a sultry swim set, like a balconette top, she looks to Adore Me for upcoming trends and good quality swimwear. The Daeny Contour set from Adore Me brings that sexy retro pin-up look poolside, drawing all the best attention.

I want to give a big applause to the brand because not only can you buy it as a complete set, but you can also pick your own bottom and top sizes for a custom fit — best of both worlds. An easy introduction to two pieces and bikinis, this swimsuit covers more skin than most sets; the longline top and high-waisted bottoms give support all over. The bikini top is similar to a bra with the added underwire and removable padding in the cup, but more comfortable with the stretchy swim material.

Size Range: M-4X & 38DD-42DDD | Fabric: Recycled Nylon, spandex | Colors: 4 | Padding: Removable | Set: Top and bottoms included

Best Tie

Wild Isles

View On Wildislesswim.com

What We Love

The thick straps blend with the deep v-cut, offering an extra lift.

What We Don't Love

The size guide skews small.

Bikinis should make you feel sexy, but it’s safe to say, we still would like to wear it without fear of flashing someone when diving into the water. Wild Isles is a women-owned brand created with bigger bust sizes in mind. Even in an itsy-bitsy bikini, each style ensures your breasts have the space they deserve.

The Dottie Tie style features a scoop neckline with a keyhole design that frames breasts for a sultry feel. Swim bottoms are sold separately, but the brand's versatile designs work well together for mixing and matching without clashing. (Wild Isle does a great job at showcasing how the top fits on different body types, but if you’re curious for more examples, Miller showcases the top on her Instagram Story.)

This brand uses numerical values 1-5 to represent different bra sizes, going up to 44F. The measurements skew small — and the brand could benefit from larger band sizes — but at least the stretchy material and long straps make it possible for larger sizes to wear with a tight fit. The tops don’t automatically come with padding, too; you add it separately to your order (for free) when putting the item in your cart.

Size Range: 1-5 | Fabric: Recycled Nylon, spandex | Colors: 11 | Padding: Added in cart | Set: Sold separately

Buy the bottoms: Hana High Waist Bottoms ($45)

Best Ruffle

View On Alpinebutterflyswim.com

What We Love

The string ties are very long and won’t dig into skin when tightened.

What We Don’t Love

It offers limited support when swimming.

Latine-owned brand Alpine Butterfly offers made-to-order styles designed by Colombia-born founder Olga Phillips with her small team in Los Angeles. With sizes up to 6X, this style covers breasts in metallic ruffles with similar shiny material for matching bottoms, sold separately. This triangle top features ruffles on the shoulders and middle of the breasts, adding a fun and flirty style that doesn’t try to cover up the body. The style slips over the head with a bandeau-style cut that shows just enough. While you can wear this style in the pool, it’s made for a poolside look and is not the most dive-friendly option. But let’s be honest, running around with large boobs is a hassle already, so we’re not surprised the top doesn’t hold with extraneous activity.

Size Range: XS-6X | Fabric: Spandex | Colors: 2 | Padding: Not-included | Set: Sold separately

Buy the Bottoms: Ellie Bottom ($120)

Best Long-Sleeve

View On Swimsuitsforall.com

What We Love

It covers yet looks sexy all at once.

What We Don't Love

It runs small.

Don't let the long sleeves on this suit fool you — thanks to the O-ring, cut-outs, and vibrant color, this hot pink suit (which also comes in neon yellow and basic black) still provides plenty of sex appeal, despite covering the arms and having a high-waisted, full-coverage bottom. We love that it ties in the back, too, for a sweet detail we don't see as much anymore. Even though it comes as a set, you can still individually select your top and bottom size, ensuring a proper fit all around. But keep in mind the unlined top doesn't have any padding and runs a bit small, so we recommend sizing up to make sure you have plenty of coverage.

Size Range: 10-24 | Fabric: Nylon, spandex | Colors: 2 | Padding: No | Set: Yes

Best One-Shoulder

View On Summersalt.com $50

What We Love

The fit is flattering on all body types.

What We Don't Love

Those with bigger breasts need to size up.

Just like Summersalt's best-selling sidestroke one-piece, which launched the brand into fame, they created a similarly flattering bikini. We appreciated the subtle ruching on this one (as opposed to the one without) that some customers say adds a little bit more modesty to the suit since it doesn't lay completely flat against the body. It has a flattering keyhole back to show off a bit more skin, but the thick strap and light padding on the one-shouldered top still allow for ample support. Pair it with the high-waisted bottoms for a cohesive suit. It does run a little small, so we recommend sizing up, too, especially if you have a larger cup size.

Size Range: 2-22 | Fabric: Recycled polymide, elastane | Colors: 2 | Padding: Yes | Set: Sold separately

Buy the Bottoms: The Ruched High Leg High Rise Bottom ($45)

Best Halter

View On Eloquii.com

What We Love

The sexy style will be sure to stand out.

What We Don't Love

It only comes in one color.

Created in collaboration with plus-size influencer Gabi Fresh, this halter bikini from Eloquii comes in a punchy orange color to stand out among all the basic black swimsuits out there (but no other colors). The belt-buckle detail in the front of the top connects to the tie halter, giving you additional support. We love that the same detail then appears on the high-waisted bottoms for a cohesive look. You can wear it strapless, but be warned, even though the top comes with removable foam cups, it might not feel very supportive. It has an S-hook back and highly stretchy material, though, so it will fit you properly. It even comes fully lined to prevent any accidental exposure when you take a dip in the pool.

Size Range: 14-32 | Fabric: Nylon, spandex | Colors: 1 | Padding: Yes | Set: Sold separately

Buy the Bottoms: High-Waisted Bikini Bottom with Side Sash ($75)

Best High-Waisted

View On Baiia.co

What We Love

You can wear it four different ways.

What We Don't Love

It might be a bit confusing how to put it on at first.

We know this looks like a one-piece, but don't worry, it comes with two pieces, counting it as a bikini — the bottoms are just that high-waisted, giving you a true high-rise fit. (Of course, if you'd like something less severe, you can always go with reliables from Summersalt or Eloquii.) Baiia, an up-and-coming swimsuit brand, offers options like no other. Not only do their triple-lined suits come fully reversible — this one gives you the choice of solid burnt color, as they call it, or a fun tile print — but also, you have multiple ways to wear it. It comes deconstructed with two chest pieces and two ties, allowing you four different ways to style it. (Take a look at the brand's videos for a solid how-to, if you're a bit confused.) Regardless of how you like to wear the top, the ultra-high-rise bottom goes up to a size 6X and creates a flattering hourglass shape in all sizes thanks to its shaping nature. We love how innovative this suit is, and honestly, we can't say we've seen anything else like it before.

Size Range: XXXS-6X | Fabric: Recycled ocean plastic | Colors: 20 | Padding: None | Set: Sold separately

Buy the Top: Brigitte Reversible Wrap Bikini Top ($139)

What to Keep in Mind

Comfort

Always consider your own comfort level when finding a two-piece that works for you. Miller recommends wearing whatever makes you feel best, "Whether that means more coverage or less coverage, you don't have to look a certain way to pull off any item. It's about having fun in the sun, not worrying about what you're wearing all day."

If you're not ready to dive head first into string bikinis, styles with high-waisted bottoms and scoop tops offer more coverage making a subtle introduction to two pieces. As far as comfort goes for the material used, most swimsuits consist of nylon and spandex to stretch with the body without losing its shape. And if you're a creature of habit and like options, there are still tons of trendy plus-size one-pieces that InStyle recommends.

Padding

Bikini tops, like bras, usually have extra padding in the cup or lining to fill out the style and keep nipples from poking through the material. The extra cushion can be more annoying than helpful for bustier folks who don't typically want or need the padding, especially when the lining shows outside. When picking a bikini top, always check to see if you can remove any included padding to give a little more room for larger breasts.

Your Questions, Answered

Can plus-size people wear bikinis?

Yes. Period. One of the most asked questions on google when searching for plus-size bikinis is whether or not large bodies can wear the swim accessory. As we've established, along with the other plus-size beauties in this story, you can and should wear a bikini at least once, even if it's just to walk around in your apartment. With more brands expanding their sizes and dedicated designers creating fashionable pieces, there are at least more options on the market, so you can choose for yourself if you want to don a two-piece at any future pool/beach parties.

Should I size up or down for bikinis?

Always check the specific brand's size charts for the best fit, but if you're on the buster side and concerned for coverage over boobs and nipples, consider sizing up for most styles. Chiwaya says she almost always sizes up for bikinis. From her experience, "Swim, in general, runs small, and it is usually better to err on the side of having a little bit too much fabric than too little," she says. When determining what size will work best for you, also pay attention to the type of material used to ensure enough elasticity to move with your body – styles with a lot of spandex might be on the tighter end. The only plus to selling bikini tops and bottoms individually is getting the right fit for your bases and top because not everyone is the same size for both.

Why Shop With Us

Alexis Gaskin is a commerce writer at InStyle covering beauty and fashion, with the latter focused on fat-fashion and inclusive styles. Having been big her whole life she’s seen the ups and downs of shopping while fat, especially with swimwear. To make sure fellow fat shoppers have the best options, she spoke with plus-size influencers Danyelle Miller and Rubeiri Cornelio, as well as NYC Plus founder Sarah Chiwaya. Alexis also tapped Curvy Beach founder, Elizabeth Taylor to answer the most searched questions on buying a bikini for a big body.