The 15 Best Tummy Control Swimsuits for Total Confidence
Updated: Jun. 03, 2022These brilliantly designed, incredibly flattering bathing suits are total game changers.
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Strategic shopping
There’s so much to look forward to in summer, like lazy days at the beach, reading by the pool, and fun summer getaways with family and friends. What most women don’t look forward to, though, is wearing a bathing suit. Luckily, more and more companies are offering flattering bathing suits for every body type, and that includes tummy control swimsuits that camouflage or compress anything you’d rather not highlight.
So, what kind of midsection magic should you be on the lookout for when bathing suit shopping? “Look for features like ruching along the sides or across the front of the swimsuit—it’s visually slimming,” says Elise Armitage, founder of What the Fab. “Diagonal seams are super flattering, too, and I also love a one-piece swimsuit with a tie at the waist for extra tummy control and an overall slimming effect.”
Don’t worry—we’re not going to send you out into the wide world of swimwear with just a few tips and a “good luck.” We’ve rounded up the best tummy control swimsuits, whether you prefer a tummy control one-piece or a two-piece, so finding the perfect suit is as easy and stress-free as buying other summer essentials like facial sunscreen, flip-flops, beach bags, beach towels, beach chairs, and sun hats. Find the right swimsuit and you’ll feel so confident, you’ll no longer find yourself reaching for that bathing suit cover-up—unless you want it to complete your look, of course.
Summersalt Sidestroke
Our choice for the best overall tummy control swimsuit, the Sidestroke sold out a whopping 25 times in 2017 when it first launched. What makes it so great? “A good tummy control swimsuit—like this one—is made of a high-compression material,” says Casey Brown, a body image and self-love advocate. “It works like shapewear to keep everything in place, but lets you eat, drink, and move around comfortably.” This suit’s other smart style features? The diagonal lines and dark bottom provide an instant slimming effect.
Best feature: The fabric has four times the compression of regular swimwear.
Hilor One-Piece Crossover Swimsuit
It’s easy to see why this bathing suit is the number one bestseller in Women’s One-Piece Swimsuits on Amazon, with more than 6,000 five-star reviews. “It’s super flattering, and it looks amazing on,” says reviewer Julie, who liked it so much that she bought a second one. Its magic, by the way, lies in its tummy control mesh panel, though its eye-catching strap design also draws attention away from the midsection. Perhaps even better? It comes in a whopping 41 pretty patterns and colors, so you’re sure to find one that you love.
New mom Sarah calls it a “perfect postpartum confidence booster” that brilliantly accentuates all of the right curves and disguises the others. She explains, “The thought of a sheer middle made me uneasy, but it actually creates a pretty awesome optical illusion and makes your waist look smaller! JUST BUY IT ALREADY!”
Best feature: Stretchy striped bands around the waist create a slimming silhouette.
Cupshe Bright Day Shirring One-Piece Tummy Control Swimsuit
At less than $30, this popular suit is your best bet for a budget-friendly option, and it has more than 3,500 five-star reviews to back that up. “The ruching is so flattering and makes my stomach look flatter,” raves Lacey on Amazon. That’s something that body positivity coach Lauren Salaun also highlights and says can streamline your shape. And one online “skeptic turned believer” notes, “This made me feel good about my body. The ruching on the sides makes the tummy look good.” The suit is available in 15 colors, and many reviewers say they’ve already bought more than one.
Best feature: The magic lies in the miraculous ruching.
Empetua High-Waisted Control Bikini Bottom
These empowering swimsuit pics prove there’s no one bikini body, and Empetua makes the best tummy control bottoms for women who are wary of rocking a two-piece swimsuit. They’re high-waisted to cover your tummy, and they feature light compression and a tummy-shaping panel that women love. “I have been wearing one-piece bathing suits since my kids were born, but these bottoms really gave me the confidence I needed,” says one reviewer. Ruching enhances the look, which another reviewer calls “just perfect,” adding that these bottoms fit snugly without creating “the dreaded muffin top.”
Best feature: Because the pieces are sold as separates, you can pair them with the top of your choice—in whatever size you need.
Miraclesuit Oceanus One-Piece Swimsuit
It’s no surprise that Miraclesuit makes some of the best tummy control swimsuits. They’re designed to help you look 10 pounds lighter in 10 seconds, and the strategic draping conceals your midsection. But what may come as a surprise is that the Oceanus is also great for small busts. The V-neck is flattering, and the soft cup bra gives subtle lift and support. Plus, the Miratex fabric provides all-over body control, shaping and slimming your figure with more than twice the power of regular Lycra. As reviewer Kristen Hanna says, “Miraclesuit #FTW!”
Best feature: The wrap style visually slims your stomach and whittles your waist for an hourglass shape.
Miraclesuit Illusionists Crossover One-Piece
It’s no surprise that Miraclesuit also makes the best tummy control swimsuit for women with large busts. This Illusionists Crossover one-piece has a built-in shelf bra with wire-free foam cups and thick, stationary straps that stay in place for additional support. It offers firm control all over and features sheer, mesh side panels that are stylish and visually interesting. “Everything it promises, it delivers,” says reviewer Julia. “Perfect fit for a short, curvy figure.”
Best feature: Shirred, crisscross ruching gives a slimming illusion.
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Venus Slimming Kendra Tankini
The vacation-inspired tropical print called Hawaiian Hottie helps make this the best tummy control tankini because its style keeps the attention off your tummy. It’s got a halter tie closure for flexibility and can be paired with the coordinating Slimming High Waist Bottom with tummy control for a complete look and confidence-boosting feel. But whether you opt for that or lower-waisted bikini bottom, it can be a great idea to go with a dark color. “A lot of women find comfort in wearing dark solid bottoms to keep attention off areas that they aren’t as comfortable showing off,” explains Brown. “By pairing a bright or patterned top, it allows them to stay within their comfort zone while showing some personality.”
Best feature: The ruching combined with the print flatters—and flattens—your tummy.
Magicsuit Isabel One-Piece Swimsuit
The most stylish tummy control swimsuit, this one-piece is filled with feminine details, like a fluttery ruffle and adjustable beaded straps that are not just practical but also draw attention up. “A fun top can be an attention grabber,” notes Brown. “Plus, when we’re in the pool, the top is what most people will see, so we might as well make a statement with it!” Tiny details like that, by the way, can elevate your wardrobe and make it look more expensive. But there’s more: Slimming and sophisticated in black, the Isabel suit features a tummy control panel and full back coverage so you can truly relax at the beach.
Best feature: The ruffle detailing adds visual interest and moves the focus off your tummy.
Tommy Bahama Island Cays Colorblock Wrap-Front One-Piece Swimsuit
Color-blocking isn’t just a fashion-forward choice—it’s also a slimming one. “Color blocking can help create an illusion and accentuate your waist,” says Armitage. “It can make your waist appear slimmer when there are contrasting colors around your waistline or the sides of your torso.” In addition to whittling your waist and drawing the eye up, this Tommy Bahama suit also offers UPF 50 sun protection. Reviewers call it “the best bathing suit ever” and “fabulous and flattering,” with many mentioning all the compliments they’ve received when wearing it. Speaking of sun protection, you’ll also want to find the best beach umbrella that won’t blow away at the slightest breeze.
Best feature: The flattering wrap front adds shape and definition.
Angerella Vintage High-Waisted Polka Dot Bathing Suit
How cute is this vintage-inspired suit?! The exaggerated retro look complements curvy figures, and the ruching on the bottoms adds a flattering detail. And women love it, as evidenced by its 5,200-plus glowing reviews on Amazon. One happy customer, who’s generally a size 12 to 14, raves, “This suit right here is an OMG moment. Order this and fall in love with your body.” This polka dot number is available in more than 35 colors and prints, and you’re likely to want to buy more than one of them.
Plus, this bathing suit has another perk: You’ll make a ton of use out of the tummy control bottoms by mixing things up with your choice on top. “A fabulous bottom will add variety to your swim collection because you can mix and match dozens of tops with it,” notes Brown.
Best feature: High-waisted bottoms cover your tummy.
Swimsuits for All Spliced One-Piece Swimsuit
If you’re looking for the best strapless tummy control swimsuit, this one has a shelf bra with sewn-in cups and side bra boning for support. It even comes with straps so you can change your mind. The diagonal lines are so slimming, as our experts have noted, and the suit provides full-bottom coverage, as well. “The fit was just right, and I have gotten many compliments!” says one verified buyer.
Best feature: It’s fully lined, with Power Mesh tummy-control front lining.
Zando Athletic One-Piece Tummy Control Swim Dress
This adorable suit, which is available in eight prints, looks more like a modern tennis dress, making it easy to go from activity to activity at an all-inclusive resort. Its skirt, which is high-waisted for more shaping, takes the attention away from your tummy, and the crisscrossing on the torso is flattering and visually slimming. Plus, if you’re looking to cover up a little more—or, more specifically, cover your butt—this is the suit for you. In addition to the skirt, it boasts boyshorts underneath. One customer raves that the Zando is a “very slimming suit that hides just enough to make me feel more confident going to the beach, but not so much that I feel like a prude. And the floral pattern is so pretty!”
Best feature: The built-in boyshort with tummy control offers additional coverage and support.
Elomi Dark Tropic Wire-Free One-Piece
There are so many features that make this a terrific plus-size tummy control swimsuit: Its faux wrap style is flattering without being too revealing, its Powernet tummy control panel is smoothing, and its high-cut legs are slimming. Plus, the floral pattern on the bust draws attention up and away from the midsection. It’s available in sizes 12 to 22. Don’t forget to browse through our picks for the best plus-size swimwear to rock at the pool or beach.
Best feature: The dark bottom camouflages your tummy, and the floral top draws the eye up.
Seraphine Supportive Maternity Swimsuit
You don’t want to hide your baby bump, but this is the best maternity swimsuit for showing it off in its best light. “I’m 23 weeks pregnant, and this is the first time I’ve felt good in maternity wear,” says one mom-to-be reviewer on Seraphine’s site. It’s got the perfect amount of ruching at the sides, which is flattering and allows room to grow, and the straps are adjustable as your body changes. Plus, check out the retro-style top and the cute cinched belt with the gold clasp. You’ll want to wear it to one of these babymoon destinations or if this isn’t your first child, these affordable beach vacations with the rest of the family.
Best feature: The optional empire-waist belt draws attention to your slimmest point.
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Sources:
- Elise Armitage, founder of What the Fab
- Casey Walker Brown, body image and self-love advocate and founder of Street, Beats and Eats
