17 best postpartum swimwear styles to wear on that well-deserved holiday
Chances are, if you've given birth recently, then the idea of shopping for the best postpartum swimsuits isn't top of your agenda. You likely have nappies to buy, feeding to figure out, family to introduce and sleep to fantasise about - and that's before you've even begun to recover your body and mind from such an enormous mental and physical feat.
Alas, if there's anyone deserving of a holiday right now it's you, so we regret to inform you that the show (booking that trip and browsing the best swimwear brands) really must go on. Or, at least, that's how we're justifying it to ourselves…
Swimsuit shopping isn’t exactly a beloved activity – no matter how body positive you are. Add pregnancy and giving birth into the mix, and even the best postpartum swimsuits will likely have you frustratedly closing tabs or dashing out of the dressing room in a fluster.
But while postpartum swimwear might sound daunting, it's really nothing more than getting used to your new body and discovering new shapes and styles to celebrate what it did, and what it continues to do, as the - quite frankly - mind-blowing miracle it is.
Scroll down to see the best postpartum swimsuits and bikinis to shop right now…
Chocolate brown and orange may be one of the most underrated colour combinations, and there are few better ways to wear it than on the beach. This high-waisted brief is super supportive and offers really great coverage across the bits many of us feel insecure about in those freshly postpartum days. It's particularly great for fellow c-section mamas, as we all know a waistband that threatens to rest anywhere near that scar is enough to send a shudder…
- Size range: XS-L.
- Material: 82% Nylon, 18% Elastane.
Save when you shop for the best postpartum swimwear with these Karen Millen discount codes at checkout.
With a deep v, flattering colourway and clever pattern that draws the eye up towards the latticework trim at the neckline, this timeless one-piece is one of those non-postpartum-specific swimsuits that you may lean towards in postpartum but that you'll also wear for years and years to come.
- Size range: 4-16.
- Material: 74% Nylon, 26% Elastane.
Save when you shop for the best postpartum swimwear with these Reiss discount codes at checkout.
When we're talking about body transformations - both during pregnancy and postpartum - a lot of the focus is, of course, on the belly, but it's easy to forget that your boobs are actually going through a whole load of changes, too. Often doubling in size, sometimes painful and often in need of quick access (if you're breastfeeding and your baby is as insatiable as mine was), a super supportive bikini top with detachable straps - like this beautiful two-tone iteration - is a real go-to for those postpartum trips.
- Size range: XS-XXL.
- Material: 57% recycled polyamide, 43% elastane.
If you're looking for a swimsuit that doesn't involve wrestling with dropped straps and accidental second-boob exposure, look no further than this deep-V, checked one-piece that offers up the easiest breastfeeding accessibility.
- Size range: EU 32-44.
- Material: Polyester 52%, Polyamide 33%, Elastane 15%.
Save when you shop for the best postpartum swimwear with these & Other Stories discount codes at checkout.
High-waisted, ruched across the belly, dark fabric with enough of a print to attract attention, actual bottom coverage (why is this so tricky to find?) - this bikini may not be billed as a postpartum-specific purchase but it's one that couldn't be ticking many more of our postpartum boxes. Endlessly flattering but also incredibly chic.
- Size range: 4-22.
- Material: 80% polyamide 20% elastane.
This chic black postnatal support and nursing swimsuit was designed to help you regain your pre-pregnancy figure while swimming. There is a tummy control panel which gently supports you in the water, while the adjustable straps allow you to customise the fit around your bust to fit perfectly. You can wear it while pregnant but the wide, adjustable straps drop down for easy breastfeeding access, once your baby is here.
- Size range: XS-L.
- Material: 80% Recycled Nylon, 20% Elastane.
Save when you shop for the best postpartum swimwear with these JoJo Maman Bebe discount codes at checkout.
Other than wanting something with a bit more coverage than usual, if you're postpartum you'll likely prefer a bit of ruching around the tummy as well – that's where this Pour Moi design comes in. It comes with straps, too, should you want to wear them..
- Size range: 10-20.
- Material: 80% Polyamide 20% Elastane.
Save when you shop for the best postpartum swimwear with these Pour Moi discount codes at checkout.
You can leave your cover up at home and go from the beach to the ice cream parlour in one fell swoop with this V-neck swim dress from Simply Be (who actually stock the silhouette in several prints and colours!).
- Size range: 34C-44H.
- Material: 85% Polyamide. 15% Elastane.
Save when you shop for the best postpartum swimwear with these Simply Be discount codes at checkout.
Not only is this one-piece super flattering thanks to the ruching throughout and supportive halterneck, but the fun ditsy print is also super cute and a great way to enhance that feeling of joy and femininity that so many of us feel we want to harness and celebrate postpartum.
- Size range: 4-16.
- Material: 82% Polyamide, 18% Elastane.
Seraphine is one of our favourite brands for maternity dresses and maternity wedding guest dresses, so we all but jumped for joy when we spotted their swimwear range. This piece is specifically designed for postpartum bodies with its slightly compressive fabric for support, and detachable straps for ease of breastfeeding.
- Size range: XS-XXL.
- Material: 84% Nylon, 16% Elastane.
Hunza G sells, without doubt, the best one-piece swimsuits. If you're looking for something on-trend but full-coverage post your pregnancy, this style is for you.
- Size range: One size (6-18).
- Material: N/A.
If you're looking for a little more coverage in the tummy area, skirted swimsuits are well worth exploring. With its V-neckline front and low scooped back, this one has a really feminine and flattering feel — while also making sure you feel comfortable whilst swimming or lounging by the pool.
- Size range: 8-28.
- Material: 85% Polyester, 15% Elastane.
Not only is this Hunza G two-piece bikini a full set, but it's also super stretchy so you can wear it before, during and way after your pregnancy. So, yes, it's on the pricier side, but it's well worth it when you take cost-per-wear into consideration. PSA, the bikini top is wire-free so it's not the most supportive for bigger boobs, but it is comfortable.
- Size range: One size (6-16).
- Material: N/A.
Looking for the best bikinis now you've given birth? Monday Swimwear has got you with their pregnancy and postpartum edit, which includes this Seychelles mid-rise bottom. It sits flatteringly high on the hips with a wider coverage, so you can rest assured you'll keep covered while playing by the pool with your little one. Pair it with the matching bikini top or mix and match for a fun finish.
- Size range: Petite-Very very voluptuous (see their size chart for a break down).
- Material: 94% Recycled Nylon / 6% Spandex.
Miraclesuit's swimwear range is perfect for postpartum mummas because every single piece is designed to flatter – this tankini top included. You can wear it with whatever bottoms you want and it'll cover your torso flatteringly, without clinging to anything at all.
- Size range: 8-18.
- Material: 95% Nylon, 5% LYCRA® Spandex.
Why you can trust us
Freelance Fashion Editor, Charlie Teather become a first-time mum almost two years ago, and – alongside, you know, prepping for one of humankind's toughest physical feats and the subsequent life-altering reality of a tiny new human to care for 24/7 – rediscovering how to dress a body that was changing every single day posed a real challenge.
She didn't want to lose her personal style identity, but she also wanted to celebrate and not just ‘disguise’ this incredible moment in her life. And if she was finding this balance hard to strike, after working in the fashion and magazine industry for over ten years, we figured others must be too. So, the team made it something of a personal/professional mission to compile the ultimate maternity fashion guides. If for nothing more than for the mums to refer back to if/when we ever do this pregnancy thing again, because (spoiler alert) baby brain is no joke, people…
How we tested the best postpartum swimwear
As mums, we have tested a plethora of maternity and postpartum swimwear styles to know which ones are worth writing home about – and, crucially, which ones aren't. Paying particular attention to specifics like cost, fabrics, wearability, comfort, coverage and support, this maternity swimwear edit is as curated as it gets.
Read more about how we test things here.
What should I be looking for in postpartum swimwear?
So what specifics should we be looking for when we're shopping for postpartum swimwear? It's actually not as obvious as it sounds, and it's certainly not just ‘buy a bigger size’…
Meet the expert:
- Dr. Amy Wetter of the Pediatrix Medical Group in Atlanta.
“A woman's body goes through many changes with pregnancy and then postpartum,” says Dr. Amy Wetter. “Some of these changes are physical and some are emotional.” Swimsuit shopping during the postpartum period touches both of those elements. You may not recognise the body staring back at you, and that may stir up some unpleasant feelings made even more poignant thanks to raging hormones.
“[After pregnancy] the uterus slowly returns to its normal size just as it slowly grew to accommodate a growing baby,” says Dr. Wetter. “Many women also have an issue with the large abdominal muscles in the middle of the abdomen, which can be separated during pregnancy due to the expanding uterus.” (The medical term for this is diastasis recti).
The pelvis also has to expand to accommodate the pregnancy, and this can be permanent. Plus, skin changes during pregnancy (hyperpigmentation issues or stretch marks, for example) are very common. Not to mention the breasts probably already increased in size during pregnancy and will continue to do so postpartum, especially if you’re breastfeeding or expressing. (You should check out our edit of maternity bras if you're in the market).
Knowing where to shop for maternity clothes – and spending time to find pieces that still make you feel confident throughout all these changes – is key, so be sure to hit up the best maternity swimwear.
“Postpartum abdomens, hips, and breasts come in all shapes and sizes, and there is no one-size-fits-all swimsuit for the postpartum body,” says Dr. Wetter. But, in general, most women in their fourth trimester feel more secure and supported in a swimsuit with built-in tummy control, a one-piece, or full-coverage bikini bottoms. “Higher-waist suits are also more comfortable if you have a C-section scar, as you do not want a suit to put too much pressure or dig into your scar,” she adds. Underwire or padded cups can also help provide bust support. And breastfeeding mums may appreciate the convenience of clip-down straps for easy access come feeding time.
Of course, don’t be afraid to size up, either. You may need to go up a size – or even two – in order to nail the correct fit. The best advice we can give you? Wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident and ignore the number on the label. To help jump-start your search for the best postpartum swimsuits, we searched all the top retailers and used Dr. Wetter’s advice to ensure each option on this list was built with features suited for the postpartum body. We also assessed overall style and value to ensure we’re only recommending the best of the best.
A version of this article first appeared on Glamour US.
