When was the last time shopping for a swimsuit felt like a pleasure?

For many of us, it's the opposite of, say, buying new shoes or jewelry or even a cocktail dress. Sourcing those items feels like a fun quest that ends in a treat. Buying swimwear forces us to confront our bodies, the particulars of garment engineering, and, especially in recent years, how much of your butt you're willing to show on the beach. (As previously stated, my personal beef with swimwear lately — and this may be a curmudgeonly 40-year-old perspective but so be it — is that so much of what's out there feels like a diaper or a thong.)

The Anti-It Bag roundup I recently published resonated so well that I wanted to hear from this community about swimwear. I can't try every bag or bathing suit but I know many of us look to reviews from people who have, so we can make informed purchasing decisions. Since the Back Row community includes so many savvy fashion buyers, I place a high premium on recommendations from all of you. Thanks to everyone who submitted a recommendation through the Google form or by emailing me. (If you ever want to submit a tip or request a story — including for another crowd-sourced roundup — you can use the Google form or email me by replying to any newsletter.)

You cited comfort, support, aesthetic, durability, and the right amount of coverage as top concerns when shopping for swimwear. As with anti-It bags, swimwear had a clear top five and many one-off recommendations for brands that you all swear by.

Herewith, your 2026 swimwear survival guide, beginning with the top five. 

Left on Friday got the most mentions. One reader called the medium-coverage Weekender suit "incredibly comfortable, flattering, and secure enough you could do laps in a pool or lounge around." Another reader called the Hi Hi Bottom and Double Scoop Top "an absolute workhorse classic." And the brand broadly received praise for its supportive styles for very large busts.

Eres was a close second. Readers cited the Larcin V-neck cut, Mouna triangle top and basic bikini bottoms, and Aquarelle one-piece as standouts. This is designer swimwear and comes with designer prices, but one reader noted that hers "lasted over 10 years… through my 30s, 40s, and 50s."

Hunza G followed Eres closely for third. It trademarked its "Crinkle" fabric which promises a perfect fit no matter how much your shape fluctuates. It's not cheap but it’s not quite as expensive as Eres. One Eres fan noted Hunza G "just seems to hang off one's bits," which is a useful data point for those of you looking for less coverage. (Though note that if you want serious rear coverage, Hunza makes a romper one-piece.) One reader loved the Tyler Bikini in the Burberry collab (here's the regular Tyler). Check out this Crinkle Bikini if you're looking for more coverage. And for those of you looking to protect arms/neck/chest from the sun, this long-sleeve style (UPF 50+) is good. 

J. Crew is probably a default for a lot of us (raises hand), and it tied for fourth. I default to this Lana bikini top and Ronnie bikini bottom in black because it stays in place, has lasted me years, and is adequate for both chasing the kids around and lounging. The Claudia Scrunchie suit, one reader wrote, "is super flattering even though it's on the skimpier coverage side" with "high-cut legs and low back [that] give it a cool 90s feel."

TA3 tied with J. Crew for fourth. Readers passionately recommended this brand, which bills itself as "mega sculpting." One noted the "viral corset-style suits with strings that you pull & tie to adjust the fit… really make you look snatched!" The underwire styles were praised for supporting large busts, and one reader who loves the Surfy and Plungey styles noted this brand's suits are "great for post-partum bodies."

Next, we have lots of honorable mentions.

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