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Weekend Wednesday: Swimsuits

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For this month's deeper dive into weekend wear for working women, I thought we'd ponder swimsuits. Ladies, which are your favorite swimsuits? Do you wear them to the beach, the pool, or somewhere else? For those of you who swim for exercise, do you have a different suit just for laps or whatnot? What's the top thing you look for in a swimsuit? (And, this may be an odd, introspective question, but do you think your workwear style has influenced your swimwear style — or, if you prefer more modest, classic styles than you did in your youth, do you just associate that with growing up?) 

swimsuits for professional women

Pictured: red bikini / blue one-piece / black one-piece (up to DDD!) / purple one-piece (reg sizes too)

For my $.02, my bust has always dominated my swimsuit needs, so for affordable options (and with shaping too!) I usually like the swimsuits from Lands' End. If I've got a short trip to the pool planned, I tend to prefer a one-piece — but for beach vacations or other days where I may or may not be in my swimsuit all day (and where it may or may not be wet) I tend to prefer two pieces, if only for the ease of use for the bathroom. I'm also a big fan of rash guards (sun is my enemy! J.Crew often has cute ones), and I've been surprised how much wear I've gotten out of a pair of swim-friendly board shorts that I bought on deep discount somewhere (Lands' End I think; these board shorts at Nordstrom are highly rated). In years past I've also been a fan of MiracleSuit (the purple one-piece above is highly rated in both regular and plus sizes) for when I really wanted to prioritize looking great over being comfortable.

Ladies, let's hear it — is there a place in your weekend wardrobes for swimsuits? Which are your favorites? (And, just for kicks: which would you wear to an office pool party?)

92 Comments

  1. OMG. Just the phrase “Office Pool Party” is making me freak out a little.

    1. Ugh, seriously. I got out of office beach day by pretending to have a doctor’s appointment I had to leave for. I have NO desire to get into a swimsuit in front of coworkers.

    2. Reminds me of when I did research in a laboratory (undergrad) of a world famous professor at Stanford. He was a total dirty old man. He would regularly have pool parties at his home, and take photos of everyone in their bathing suits. His lab was almost all young women… aged 18 -45.

      I wore a T-shirt and shorts. Same as I wore every day.

      Even at the age of 19, I knew I would never want my boss to have an mental image of me in a bathing suit.

      And certainly not a permanent photo…

  2. I’m going to do pool lap swimming again, and I need a lap-friendly suit. I’m plus size, around size 22 in clothes. I was on the swim team in high school (loooooong ago), so I’d be comfortable in a Speedo/Tyr. I’d prefer a one-piece, but would be open to exercise friendly tankini options. Any suggestions / online sites / in-store options?

    2. I really like my TYR diamond fit. I’m not plus size, but the style is cut fuller through the hips and butt than some of the other styles I like, and has plenty of coverage in the back.

    3. Thanks, ladies! Seems like plus-size swimwear for exercise is yet another hole in the fashion community :P I’ll check out all of these recommendations!

    4. I can’t speak to their quality, but Junovia used to have several similiar options in their catalogs.

  3. I’m also larger-of-bust. It drives me crazy that bras come in a million sizes but most swimsuits come in S/M/L or 0-14. I’m a big fan of Bare Necessities – they sell swimsuits by bra size. I usually go for the tankini – two pieces but covers my belly.

    1. Panache swimsuits come with bra sizing. Cleo is their sister brand. You can usually find some on Amazon.

  4. Huge fan of Coco Reef (Macy’s, Dillards). Bra-sizing tops, and often you can find bottoms with the fold over top – less top elastic = less muffin top.

  5. Huge plug for Fig Leaves for their bra sizing. I love their (I believe) house brand Midnight Grace. Their patterns usually come in a couple different top and bottom styles so you can mix and match whatever you prefer.

    1. This sounds like a good place to shop. I prefer 2 piece suits, so I can have some flexibility. The main issue I have is that the new suits are veryminimal (i.e. revealing) downstairs, which virtually requires regular waxing during the summer months. That is not something I love doing, but the alternative is to look like Quasimodo, which is equally unappealing to both women and the men that are looking!

    1. I got (at maybe your recommendation?) the same suit with but in a tanking with short shorts. Tankinis from LandsEnd do NOT expose your belly. They just make it easier to take on and off and easier to fit your body YMMV. My tank is underwire and I use it for sports (not laps, but I would). I brought a Speedo as an adult because I was also a high school swimmer and I was really self-conscious about how unflattering it was.

  7. Hi everyone! I’m hoping for some advice. I am going to visit my family for the holiday and it will be the first time seeing my sister after a very significant health scare caused in large part by her drinking. By all accounts she has stopped drinking. But my mother and BIL continue to drink in front of her in some part to keep up appearances. I know my mother will have a family party and alcohol will be provided while my sister is there. The extended family does not know that the health scare was alcohol related. This all drives me nuts. Does anyone have experience with a similar situation? Is there anything I can do other than commit to not drinking myself? I’m worrying myself sick about this.

    1. This is your sister’s thing. Has she asked you not to drink? If so, it’s fine to not drink to support her, but don’t get all up in her business and make it all about you worrying yourself sick about it.

      Maybe pop into an Al-Anon meeting before you go?

    2. So is your sister okay with other people drinking in her presence? I’d ask her how you can best support her. Have your BIL and mom already had these conversations with her?

      1. Thanks for the notes. The thing is our family doesn’t talk about this because it’s “personal” and my BIL ( who is a lovely person) says he gets stonewalled in talking about this. Of course family dynamics make this difficult but I know that I can’t determine for my sister what is best. I just feel helpless.

        2. That’s the thing with addiction. You, the non addict, ARE helpless because you can’t control other peoples behavior. That’s why the serenity prayer is used in al anon too. One thing you might want to look into is co-dependence issues. Contrary to popular belief codependency isn’t about two people depending on each other, it’s when you are dependant on other people needing YOU. A lot of people close to addicts struggle with this and actually it’s harder for them as the addict gets better and doesn’t constantly have crises or potential cries for the codependent person to save them from.

    3. Drink if you want, don’t if you don’t want. Everyone else doesn’t have to give up alcohol because she has a problem. And if you’re thinking about telling the extended family, don’t.

    4. Hoo boy, been there. It took my sister 8 months to *actually* stop drinking, despite what she said. Her major health scare was coupled with undiagnosed alcoholism.

      At that time, my immediate family (adult siblings and parents) didn’t drink at all. Having no alcohol was easier than worrying if she was drinking or not. Her boyfriend quit drinking altogether. At family parties that had booze, we (immediate family) eagle eye watched her.

      Once she was more stable, alcohol became more acceptable. I went back to drinking, though not as much as I would have in the past (she and I would kill a bottle of wine; now, I have a glass with meals). At family parties, we make it a point not to “punish” her for being sober- ie she doesn’t have to be the designated driver or de facto responsible party.

    5. Honestly I am in recovery and one of the hardest things is actually how paternalistic people around me have become since I became open about my stTus. Ask your sister how best to support her, then do that , but otherwise drop it. Don’t keep glancing g at her anxiously every time someone makes a toast. Don’t insert yourself into situations to “protect” her from seeing people drink. I am also the chd of an addict so I’ve seen this from both sudes and I know it’s painful for family too…but her recovery is first and foremost about herself and it has to be that way to be successful. She is an adult and presumably knows here will be alcohol at social certain social events, and it’s up to her to handle it. And if she doesn’t handle it that’s on her too. But having the sense that people are hovering is humiliating and counter productive. Imagine you are carrying a big tray if glasses and someone is following you around saying “don’t drop it! Don’t drop it!” Not helpful. I know you mean well so I agree with the suggestion to check out al anon.

      1. This is not the same but might add to the conversation, but I am a habitual dieter and overeater. The number one thing that prevents me from telling people about when I’m trying make a change in my health is the policing. I don’t want people to look at my plate of food and wonder why I’m eating this or that. I don’t want people making suggestions to me about how to lose weight or how to work out. I know how it works, I’ve read all the material, and I’ve done it before. And it really is unnerving to have people acting like I’m the idiot for not “just doing x, y and z.”

        1. I think what you are describing is a perfect illustration of what I’m talking about, thank you.

      3. I do not have a drinking problem but when I wanted to cut back on drinking for weight loss I would bring LaCroix to gatherings so I had a fun non-alcoholic beverage to drink. Can you make sure there are fun non-alcoholic drinks so she doesn’t feel left out drinking room temperature tap water when everyone else has champagne?

        1. If only everyone thought about making sure the non-drinkers had something to drink! Warm tap water is the worst while everyone else is having a c-tail or a glass of wine. And we don’t all drink diet soda either.

  8. So I just found out I’m pregnant (after 2 miscarriages in the past 6 months) and now in addition to worrying about another mc, I’m really freaked out by Zika. I’m taking reasonable precautions and live in the mid-Atlantic, but still scared. Today I had lunch outside and was bitten… Any advice?

    1. You’re working yourself into a panic for no reason. There is no Zika transmission in the US yet. You could not have gotten it from a mosquito bite you got in the United States today. Don’t go to a country with active Zika transmission and don’t have unprotected sex with someone who has. If and when Zika shows up in the US, consult your doctor about steps you can take to protect yourself.

      1. Even when it arrives here, it’s unlikely to cause mass-illness. I’m not saying don’t be prudent, but there’s no reason to panic.

        From Science Mag: “But researchers who have studied Zika and the mosquitoes that transmit it say that the country is currently in the calm before the calm. Damaging as Zika is to fetuses, they predict that autochthonous transmission will only affect a small swath of the country that stretches from Florida along the Gulf Coast to Texas. And the dynamics of mosquito-borne disease in the United States are so different from those in Latin America that the number of confirmed cases probably will be in the hundreds, if that, before autochthonous spread sputters out.”

        1. I don’t totally understand what this means. So is there some reason it will be less serious for people who get it here? And if you live in the “small swath,” it will still be very prevalent there, right?

          1. The types of mosqitos that carry the Zika virus are really only found on the Gulf Coast. Other species of mosquitos inhabit the rest of the US. Not all mosquitos have the potential to be carriers of Zika, so not every bite is a risk of transmission.

            Don’t visit Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida or Georgia this summer.

          2. No, this article says it won’t be very prevalent even in the areas of the US that eventually get it. A few hundred cases (of mosquito borne transmission) at most. Theres a good chance that in 2016 more people in the US will be struck by lightning than acquire Zika from a mosquito in the US.

      2. + 1. I’m seven months pregnant and just don’t see any meaningful risk until, at minimum, at least one moquito in the entire US has been found to have transmitted zika, which hasn’t happened yet and may never happen. Not to freak you out, but your risk of walking down the street, driving, showering etc. is way higher at this point.

    2. Congratulations! I can’t really speak much to pregnancy related anxiety, but I will say that you might want to check out Permethrin spray. I got a big bottle of it at Walmart for under $20 to treat some camping/hiking gear and it worked fantastically well for me. I am normally eaten alive by bugs and on my 10-day vacation, I was only bitten once, and that was on a day when I wasn’t wearing the permethrin gear.

      1. You’d also want to check on Permethrin and pregnancy. I did some research before spraying my gear, but it wasn’t to the level of checking for pregnancy safety.

        1. This is really unhelpful because it is not true. There is no Zika transmission in the U.S. There is Zika in the U.S. because there are people in the U.S. who have Zika. It could be transmitted by mosquitoes at any point. Although the risk is relatively low, I’m sure OP is worried about being that first or fluke person.

          OP, the CDC has a lot about this on their site. Choose an approved spray and get in the habit of wearing it. (I find it helpful to carry it with me). Try to relax because the risk right now is, really, much less than a million other things you do, and you can minimize it ever further with precautions. There are also official reports that demonstrate that some babies born to Zika-affected mothers are fine — it’s not a death sentence. And feel free to ignore all the posters acting like there’s something wrong with you for being concerned. As a fellow pregnant woman, I think they probably have no idea how much we’re being bombarded with Zika fears.

          1. My reply was to Anon at 1:46 who said there is no Zika transmission in the mid-Atlantic, so I thought it was clear that when I said “there’s actually no Zika in the entire US,” I was referring to transmission.

          2. Except the risk isn’t relatively low. It’s vanishingly low. And much lower than activities she almost certainly engages in every day (for example, getting in a car).

    4. Try to find an outlet for your anxiety. Exercise, deep breathing, meditation, etc. You know that fear is unfounded, so trust yourself.

    5. Maybe do something about your anxiety? Your chances of getting Zika from a mosquito in the US are currently 0.00%. There are literally an infinite number of things that are more likely to harm you or your baby.

      1. First, congratulations! Second, I’m 7 months pregnant in the mid-Atlantic, and I get it. It’s scary to see the headlines, and the affects of Zika in South and Central America are heartbreaking. Especially given your pregnancy history (hugs), you’re not irrational for being a little on edge.

        But everyone is right; the risk of you contracting Zika is effectively zero as long as you and your partner do not travel to an area with local transmission (all of which are currently outside the US). And even if Zika eventually does show up in U.S. mosquitoes, I presume you live and work somewhere with screens and AC and have ready access to insect repellent. You are definitely not in the highest-risk population. Do review the CDC recommendations about safe s3x if your partner travels anywhere he may be exposed to Zika, though.

        There are a million things to be anxious about during pregnancy, and as a parent in general. Take reasonable precautions, but know that usually everything is fine, and find strategies to help yourself relax.

        1. Scientists decided a Zika infection is only problematic to a fetus in the first trimester, so you should be safe. That said – it will get to the mid-Alantic eventually, and I get so many bites, I am going to load up on insect repellant just so I don’t end up with guillan-barre or something. Because that would totally be me.

    7. Although I understand it’s somewhat irrational, I actually have the same fears. I’m TTC right now and live in an area that has the type of mosquitoes that transmit Zika. Of course the chance is 0% right now, but there’s a good chance it’ll happen eventually, and the consequences of getting it can be so severe that it can be scary.

      But I also recognize that there are much bigger dangers, and it’s not completely rational to be afraid of it. I talked to my OB, which helped, and I am taking all the normal precautions to make sure I don’t get bitten. And just trying not to freak out too much when I do get bitten. The talk with the OB and reading the CDC guidance about really did help.

    8. I’m very sorry for your losses.
      For what it’s worth: pregnancy after loss is emotionally hard, and it’s very common to be anxious. It’s so common that there are lots of support groups for pregnancy after loss (i.e. miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death). The groups I have encountered are organized through hospitals and counseling offices. Might be something to try, if you feel like the anxiety is becoming bothersome.
      Wishing you peace!

    9. Congratulations on your pregnancy! I’d consult your OBGYN about this — mine had pamphlets discussing the risks and what you can do to reduce it.

  9. Threadjack: I’m doing an apt swap with friends who have a place in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, this weekend, and wondered if there are any cute lil restaurants or stores you’d recommend. Thanks!

    1. “Prospect Park” is a giant area. Do you know what part of the park they are closest to? North of the park is Grand Army Plaza/Prospect Heights. The eastern side of the park borders Lefferts Gardens. The west side of the park is Park Slope/Greenwood Heights.

      There are cute lil restaurants and stores in all of those areas, especially Park Slope!

          1. Used to live in North Park Slope and miss Al Di La and Stone Park Cafe so much. I only overlapped with Bricolage a bit but loved that place too. There are a ton of great little stores and boutiques on 5th ave!

  10. I am not someone who wears skimpy swimsuits, for confidence reasons, but my goodness, you can be covered up and still be a little stylish. What a frumpy collection! Not everything needs to be ruched within an inch of its life! These all look like maternity suits or shapewear or something.

    1. Yup. Check out Freya, Fantasie, Panache. All good quality, good coverage, bust supportive, without looking like grandma. Board shorts and a miraclesuit is not the best option available.

    2. These are a littel frumpy for me. Moreover, the MANAGEING Partner pick’s out all of my bikini’s b/c we have work outing’s and he MUST approve them if I am to get reimbursed. I do not mind b/c we have pretty much the SAME Tastes–tho I would NOT want to wear these AFTER I get married and Pregnant. For NOW, however, I am happy to do my best to keep the cleint’s happy as well as to hopefuly find a Guy who will date, and MARRY me so that I can stop all of this nonsense and retire b/f I am age 40. FOOEY!

    3. Agree. I think the 2-piece is kind of cute, but I find ruching terribly unflattering unless the person wearing it has the type of body where everything stays exactly where it “belongs.” Ruched styles add bulk and have more give than flat fabric, so seem to exaggerate any lumps and bumps by giving them space to escape into. Not that there’s anything wrong with having lumps and bumps on your body, but I don’t think that’s the look most of us go for.

    4. These are very dowdy. Prints? Interesting neckline? Anything without ruching? These all look like apologies for wearing swimwear.

  11. Threadjack – any recommendations for shoe inserts or heel inserts when the heel of your shoe slides a little bit?

  12. I have two sets of Speedo two-pieces that I really, really love. Clean lines, not too sexy for when I’m chasing after my kiddos, and they stay put when I’m in the ocean. They were way cheaper and more durable than brands like Athleta that I had been buying.

    1. How sad. Swimming is such a great joy for me, I always feel so sad for people who don’t do it.

      Unless, of course, you exclusively swim nude which sounds fabulous.

      2. Yes. There was a psa, or maybe an ad, for something that showed a bunch of moms joyfully playing with their kids at the beach, wearing bathing suits, just enjoying themselves and splashing and chasing and not worrying about what they looked like, and talking about how this is what their kids will remember about their moms. Even if you don’t have kids, in 30 years are you going to look back and be sad that you didn’t enjoy yourself while you could?

        Also there are so many options now that bathing suits don’t even have to be all that revealing, and no one thinks anything of it if you’re wearing a swim skirt or long sleeve rash guard.

      3. Same. Swimming has been such a huge part of my life, from team participation, lifeguarding, as well as fun and exercise. The water is for almost everyone, including small potty trained children, pregnant women, elders, people who have difficulty getting around on land due to health issues, etc.

        Why are you so hard on yourself, OP?

    3. My current life goal is to get my little son swimming well enough that I never have to wear a suit again, and I can just sit by the pool in a sundress with a beverage. CANNOT WAIT.

      2. We are here with our kids and it is awesome! I still get in the water sometimes to play with them, but the fact that I don’t HAVE to is nice.

      3. Sit by the pool in a sundress and a beverage and watch your son like a hawk, right? Because the lifeguard is not a babysitter and drowning is a pretty quiet event.

  14. Threadjack:
    I was asked about my interest in a position at a well-regarded competitor that provides growth potential (which my job lacks) but is worse in most other ways – flexibility, commute, scope of responsibility, etc. The comp will also likely be lower although I don’t have numbers yet (they know my details). It isn’t a good time for me to make the change for family reasons, plus the lifestyle issues, but I also don’t want to burn bridges as this is a role that may work in a year or two, and this is the second time they’ve invited me to apply. They want my thoughts tonight after 4 or so interviews.

    Do I continue to telegraph excitement without asking for comp details, ask for comp to finalize my decision, or hint that I’m not likely to take it?

  16. I’ve been pondering this one lately: as a woman in her early 30s, am I supposed to start wearing one-pieces? My two-piecers are all robust in that my bust requires structural support, so it’s not a string bikini situation here. I don’t have kids but find myself at pools and beaches with my SO’s kids and their friends. If my parts are covered, and my suit fits well, is a two-piece appropriate? Or am I being judged for being a trampy pseudo-stepmom?

    1. I am 48 and wear two-pieces – bra-shaped top and boy shorts – because I like how I look in them and they are comfortable.

      FYI, you also are not required to cut your hair short when you turn 40. Our feminist foremothers got rid of the hair and bathing suit police for us.

    2. No, there is no age-based threshold that requires you to wear a 2piece. Wear a 2-piece for as long as YOU are comfortable wearing one.

      Yes, a 2-piece is appropriate in public as long as all your bits are covered. (the bits needing covering depending on the type of beach you are at, of course).

      Who thinks women who wear 2-piece bathing suits (which covers anything from string bikinis to tankinis) are trampy -pseudo stepmoms and not just people who don’t like one-piece suits?

        1. Love. It. !!!

          I only converted to wearing bikinis when I was 48 (now 51) and I swear I will never go back (except if I feel like it for fitness swimming or if I just do).

          I think of an interview I saw with supermodel Paulina Porizkova who said when she looks back at photos of herself in her 20’s she thinks “I should have been walking around naked all the time I looked so great!” She also said she tells herself she will feel like that about her 50’s self when she is in her 70’s.

          I am taking the same approach from now on I have decided. I intend to embrace my inner Senior Attorney and stop making all the same mistakes I did when I was younger.

          1. Haha, this is fantastic! I think I’m just hyper-aware of it because the whole kid thing is new and I don’t want to be way off the mark. Thank you, all!

  17. I know I’m late to the party but I got an identical suit to the Miraclesuit Sanibel (pictured above on the right) at Costco for $24.99. It’s a Miraclesuit brand not a knockoff. Can’t beat the price.

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