It’s fair to say that finding swimwear that you feel confident in is no walk in the park. And as someone who falls firmly in the size 16 camp with plenty of curves, I'm all too familiar with the body anxiety and crushing heartbreak that accompanies swimsuit shopping. Now while I do subscribe to the body-positive idea that 'every body is a beach body', feeling self-consious is only natural – especially when you're barely covered up at the beach. The good news here is that amongst the countless cuts and styles that crowd the swimwear aisles, there's plenty that come with shapewear features and the one tried and true staple that never seems to let us down when it comes to poolside confidence is a tummy control swimsuit.
Grazia's Best Tummy Control Swimwear, At A Glance:
Best Tummy Control Swimsuit Overall: Boux Avenue, Panama Swimsuit, £43
Best Affordable Tummy Control Swimsuit: H&M, Shaping Swimsuit, £28
Best High End Tummy Control Swimsuit: Ralph Lauren, Ruffle Swimsuit, £179
Best Tummy Control Bikini: Pour Moi, Sicily Bikini Top, £34 and Bottoms, £24
Take high street lingerie brand Pour Moi, known for its wide range of shapewear inspired swimwear that'll quickly become a staple in your holiday wardrobe rotation. With plenty of patterns – from nautical stripes to tropical flower prints– there’s a laundry list of options to choose from, and personally, I think they tick all the boxes for resort wear confidence. My favourite of all has to be the Santa Monica Strapless Swimsuit, but their bikini range is just as strong, led by the fashion set’s favourite Sicily Bikini Top and High Waist Bottoms, which come in a playful polka dot print in blue, as well as a sleek black.
But Pour Moi isn't the only pro when it comes to tummy control swimwear, as the high street boasts plenty of other options to choose from. Next immediately comes to mind, courtesy of their Tummy Enhancing Swimwear, (I love the Bandeau Ruched Leg Swimsuit especially), as well as Boux Avenue, whose Panama Smoothing Swimsuit has cemented itself as the brand's go to shaping swimsuit, catering to every cup size up to a G.
So, whether you’re after a good quality tummy control swimsuit that resembles your favourite SKIMS shape wear, or simply looking for something that’ll offer a little bit of extra support, I found the best to wear this summer that’ll seriously boost your confidence. Shop them below.
Shop: The Best Tummy Control Swimsuits
Boux Avenuewww.bouxavenue.com
Boux Avenue's roster of underwear and bikinis always go that extra mile. The brand's Panama swimsuit is perfect for those days when you just want to throw something on for a day at the pool that will also look incredibly flattering. Plus, cobalt blue is the ultimate summer colour.
H&Mwww2.hm.com
H&M is known for good quality, affordable clothing that'll make you look and feel good. Its shaping swimsuit is no exception and offers support in all the right places. Pair with a sarong and sandals for the ultimate beach look that will boost your confidence in every way.
RALPH LAURENwww.ralphlauren.co.uk
Consider this head turner of a Ralph Lauren swimsuit if you're looking for tummy control swimwear that'll give you an extra boost thanks to its optional padding. With ruffled detailing in a bright green hue, you're practically guaranteed to steal the show for all of the right reasons.
Pour Moiwww.pourmoi.co.uk
This playful polka dot bikini is a great option for people with larger busts, available from C to G cup. Wear with the matching High Waist Tummy Control Brief, for an extremely flattering look.
Nextwww.next.co.uk
This classic scoop neck silhouette is a no-brainer when it comes to poolside confidence. The best part? You can choose between 11 different colours and patterns.
TALAwww.wearetala.com
If you don't know TALA, get to know. We love the Cassia Shaping Swimsuit which is perfect for balmy beach days at your favourite resort. You can even adjust the side tie detailing if you prefer a high-leg fit, ideal if you're looking for something that'll elongate your legs.
NEXTwww.next.co.uk
A bandeau swimsuit is perhaps the most flattering of them all, and we can't get enough of this one from Next, which, as it turns out, comes with removable straps.
Pour Moiwww.pourmoi.co.uk
Available in a bold cobalt blue colour way, the Santa Monica swimsuit is a non-negotiable swim staple that will see you through – and keep you feeling confident – for seasons to come.
Image credit: @georgiamillie and @ashleygraham
Hitanshi Kamdar is a senior commerce writer for Grazia. Hitanshi is always on the hunt for the latest trends, emerging designers and the internet’s most bizarre style discourse. When not writing, she can be found IDing outfits during Netflix binges and shopping for the latest It-girl shoe trends.
Emma Richardson is a fashion commerce writer for Grazia. She was previously a fashion and beauty commerce writer for Heat and Closer, and has contributed digital content for a variety of lifestyle brands. Emma finds much of her inspiration in celebrity style, with Sienna Miller often being a major influence, and loves a pair of ballet pumps and a trusted trench coat.