13 Maternity Swimsuits, Recommended by Moms
Planning a vacation somewhere tropical? Let’s talk maternity swimwear. The best maternity swimsuits will help you look and feel confident at the pool, beach or on your babymoon. While you can get away with a regular bathing suit during the first trimester, a purpose-built pregnancy bikini or swimsuit is well worth the investment. Maternity swimwear is designed with your changing body in mind, and boasts practical features such as ruching that stretches to accommodate your bump, adjustable straps and built-in shelf bras to support your growing bust. And most maternity bathing suits are made from super-stretchy, quick-drying fabrics, which is a major plus point. (Trust us, anything tight or restrictive is a no-no.) Remember, your skin is super-sensitive during pregnancy and you may be more liable to burn, so it’s best to opt for a maternity bathing suit made with UPF 50+ material that’ll shield your skin from sun exposure.
Ready to dive in? Keep reading for cute maternity swimsuits that’ll keep you looking comfy, cool and cute—even as your bump grows.
Here are the steps we took to curate a list of the best maternity swimsuits:
- We researched what was being said about maternity swimsuits in The Bump community forums and asked staff members, who also happen to be parents, for swimwear recommendations.
- We surveyed over 350 expectant parents, and asked about the maternity swimsuits they wore during pregnancy. From there we gathered their feedback on what they liked and asked them to comment on their overall experience.
- We conducted exhaustive market research, scouring external forums and message boards and reading user reviews to find out what parents across the country looked when shopping for a maternity swimsuit.
- We considered a list of criteria when sourcing bump-friendly swimsuits, including quality, material, value, style, sun-protection and stretch-factor.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.
Best maternity bikini
- Full-coverage briefs
- Top has underwire and adjustable straps
- Mix-and-match sizes
- Bikini doesn’t offer bump support
- Some parents say the sizes run small
How chic is this maternity bikini from Cupshe? It’s part of the Italian-inspired collection curated by Olivia Culpo, which exudes timeless elegance and sensuality. The set is suitable for pregnancy and postpartum wear thanks to adjustable straps, a criss-cross back design and supportive cups with an underwire. And the standard-rise bikini briefs offer full bum coverage, so there’s little to no cheeks on show. The best part? You can buy the top and bottoms in different sizes for an even better fit and accessorise with the matching sarong.
Size range: XS to XL | Materials: 82% nylon/18% spandex | Care instructions: Regular wash, line dry
Our community says:
I bought new swimwear during pregnancy because nothing fit me. I lean towards bikinis, as I find they are more comfortable with the big belly. I LOVE bathing suits from Cupshe. They are cheap and trendy! I live in South Florida so being at the pool is a must during hot summer months. - Rebecca T., mom of one
I also love Cupshe. I just sized up for swimsuits (and most maternity things outside of pants.) - Ashley G., mom of one
Good coverage for butt and chest. - Taylor, mom-to-be and The Bump survey respondent
Best maternity one-piece swimsuit
- Nursing-friendly
- Full-coverage rear
- UPF 50 sun protection
- High price point
Next up on our list of the best maternity swimsuits is this one-piece by Kindred Bravely. The ruffles and plunging neckline definitely caught our eye. But it’s the clever construction that really wowed us. This fully-lined swimsuit, made from UPF 50+ recycled material, offers full rear-coverage, adjustable straps, a built-in shelf-bra and a nursing-friendly crossover cut, meaning you can wear it throughout your pregnancy and the postpartum stage too. Best of all, it comes in two cup-size options, regular (B to D) and busty (E to I). And the busty size option features wider straps for added support.
Bonus: Get 15 percent off Kindred Bravely with code KBBMP15.
Size range: S to 1X | Materials: 85% polyester/15% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold
Best maternity tankini
- Modern design
- Built-in padding
- Limited reviews
Of course, a traditional one-piece or bikini aren’t your only options when it comes to maternity swimwear. “My recommendation would be to go with tankinis, keeping in mind the extra bladder pressure and more frequent trips to pee,” says mom of three, Catherine M. A tankini is essentially a longline swim top that covers your bump paired with bikini bottoms. There are tons of tankinis on the market, but we like this pretty plaid pick by Motherhood Maternity. The UPF 50+ fabric helps protect skin from the sun's rays and the top has removable straps, so you can avoid annoying tan lines.
Our community says:
Motherhood has some cute stuff. - JilllyBean, The Bump forum member
I got a tankini at my local maternity store Motherhood Maternity (they told me they carry a few styles pretty much all year long). - BecNJake, The Bump forum member
I got a tankini from motherhood and also some swim shorts' that I will sometimes wear over it when I don't want to show off my thighs. - dangerkitty102, The Bump forum member
Best high-waisted maternity bikini
- Fully lined
- Full-coverage bottoms
- Removable bra cups
- Top lacks support for bigger breasts
- You can’t mix and match the sizes
Summer Mae maternity swimwear was a favorite among our survey respondents—and we can see why. This bikini features high-rise briefs that’ll keep you covered in the front and back. And subtle ruching at the sides helps the swimsuit expand to fit your changing shape, from the first trimester to the third. The ruffle bandeau top is wider than most bikini tops and contours to your body, so nothing will slip out when you dive into the pool. (Trust us, it happens!) Survey respondent Sarah* loved the color, pattern and ruffle detail on this maternity bikini, although she did wish for added stretch “so I could wear it at an earlier stage of pregnancy.” The bikini is available in a range of contrasting colors and at under $40 it’s an affordable option to boot.
Size range: S to XL | Materials: N/A | Care instructions: N/A
Our community says:
Fun patterns and flattering fit. - Libby, mom-to-be and The Bump survey respondent
Best maternity swim dress
- Affordable price point
- Removable cups
- Comfortable fit
- Simple style
Survey respondent Lana* tipped us off to this cute maternity swim dress and shared her swimwear requirements: “I want it to be comfortable on my bump, have full coverage and be cute and stylish, so I feel good!” And we think this bump-flattering style checks every box. The dress has a full skirt with a built-in one-piece hidden underneath, so you can jump in the pool without flashing fellow bathers. It has removable molded cups and an adjustable halter-neck tie for added support. Plus, the fast-drying material offers UPF sun protection.
Size range: XS to XXL | Materials: 92% polyester/8% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold
Our community says:
I had a lot of summer pregnancies at different stages and didn’t want to spend a lot on something that wouldn't get a lot of use over time. I found out quickly that some brands don't offer enough coverage, but I was surprised by the quality of Old Navy! - Catherine M., mom of three
I had a couple from Old Navy when I was pregnant with my son. I liked them a lot! - Bellisimo, The Bump forum member
Best post-bump friendly maternity swimsuit
- Cutout design
- Ruched sides
- Adjustable straps
- Swimsuit runs small
Don’t want to invest in a maternity swimsuit you’ll only wear for a matter of months? We hear you Mama. Aside from being downright sexy, this red one-piece can be worn during pregnancy as well as the postpartum period. Adjustable straps and ruched sides ensure a comfortable fit whatever stage of the parenting journey you’re at.
Size range: S to XL | Materials: 85% polyester/15% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle
Our community says:
PinkBlush had cute styles and nice cuts. - Valerie, mom-to be and The Bump survey respondent
Best adjustable maternity swimsuit
- Adjustable fit
- Nursing-friendly button-down front
- Stretchy fabric
- Fabric doesn’t offer UPF sun protection
According to mom of one Laura, your swimwear needs may change as your pregnancy progresses. “I was 8+ months pregnant, so my main concern was coverage and comfort [plus] support for my belly,” explains Laura, who also tried a few swimsuits that were either too loose or too high-cut on the thighs. That’s why we love this adjustable one-piece by Summer Mae. It has drawstrings at each side, which can be tightened or loosened to give you more or less coverage on your butt and upper-thighs, as well as adjustable shoulder straps. Plus, the button-down front makes it nursing-friendly, so you can wear it in the postpartum stage too.
Size range: M to 2XL | Materials:N/A | Care instructions: N/A
Our community says:
I only purchased one swimsuit, but I liked it! Summer Mae one piece with buttons at the top. Cute, simple, and comfortable. - Angela C., mom of one
I bought a new one piece maternity swim suit from Summer Mae (via Amazon) during my pregnancy. We took a trip to Florida, so I only needed it for one occasion and didn't want to spend too much on something that I'd likely never use again. It was only $40 and it served its purpose! - Laura B., mom of two
Best halter-neck maternity swimsuit
- Adjustable halter-neck straps
- Affordable
- Larger cup sizes available
- Only two colors available
The one-piece maternity swimsuit offers full rear coverage and subtle ruching for a comfortable and modest fit. But it’s the feminine halter-style neckline that caught our eye. The straps can be tied tightly to give your bustline a little lift and you can adjust the fit if you go up a cup size as your pregnancy progresses. It also has built-in cups for added support, whether you’re doing laps at the pool or sunbathing on the beach.
Size range: S to XL (regular cup sizes); M to XL (D/DD cup sizes) | Materials: Nylon/spandex | Care instructions: Hand-wash, line dry
Our community says:
Target has a great selection. - KatieCC08, The Bump forum member
I usually buy quality bathing suits—I just think they hold their elasticity and shape better over time. However, Target has some decent looking suits that'll make it through one or two seasons of swimming. I bought two when I was postpartum with my son (born May) that should fit through most of this pregnancy. And they were like $30, so if they get weird and stretched out at the end, I'm fine just tossing them. - kissthesky32, The Bump forum member
Best maternity swimsuit for large busts
- Top fits cup sizes D to I
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Underwire and foam cups
- Limited sizing options
This maternity tankini from Cake Maternity is the perfect fit for fuller-busted moms. The tankini top fits breast cup sizes from D to I and flexi-wire boning offers support, shape and security without being uncomfortable. Contour foam cups also help preserve your modesty and minimize bounce. The tankini top also boasts ruching at the sides, so it expands to fit your growing bump, and the briefs offer full-rear coverage. As if that wasn’t enough to love, this maternity tankini is also made from a UPF50+ and chlorine-resistant fabric.
Size range: S to XL | Materials: 84% nylon/16% elastane | Care instructions: Hand wash cold, line dry
Best plus-size maternity swimsuit
- Quick-drying fabric
- Flattering fit
- Built-in bra
- Straps aren’t adjustable
A flattering V-neckline and paisley print make this plus-size maternity swimsuit one of our favorites. But this maternity swimsuit isn’t all style over substance, the material itself is chlorine-resistant, fast-drying and offers UPF 25 sun protection. This maternity bathing suit also features built-in bust support and has a power-mesh panel for gentle tummy support.
Size range: US 12 to 28 | Materials: 85% polyester/15% elastane | Care instructions: Machine wash
Best athletic maternity swimsuit
- Fit is true to size
- Stretchy material
- Straps don’t slip during lap swimming
- Thin material
- High price point
Swimming is a fun, low-impact exercise, making it a great way to stay active during pregnancy. But if you plan on doing daily laps at the pool, you’ll need a hard-working maternity swimsuit that’ll go the extra mile. This athletic design is super-stretchy, with a sporty racerback cut that won’t sag at the bottom or constrict your stomach. With built-in UPF 50+ protection it's the perfect choice for recreational swimming, aqua aerobics or chasing after your little one at the beach.
Size range: S to XXL | Materials: Nylon | Care instructions: Hand wash and line dry
Best affordable maternity swimsuit
- Affordable price point
- Fully lined
- Removable padded cups
- Swimsuit may ride up
Come for the $20 price tag, stay for the flattering cut, adjustable straps and fully-lined material. Other features we love include removable padded cups and subtle ruching at the sides. This maternity bathing suit is simple yet timeless, meaning it’ll serve you for more than one pregnancy.
Size range: S to XL | Materials: 82%/18% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold
Our community says:
H&M also had some good options. - Catherine M., mom of three
Best maternity swim shorts
- Recycled fabric
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Hidden bike shorts with pocket
- Shorts hit upper thigh
Not a fan of bikinis or one-pieces? Give this pair of maternity swim shorts a try. The low-rise cut fits nicely under your bump, while a drawstring waist keeps them in place. Plus, hidden bike shorts underneath feature a slip pocket that’s large enough to fit a phone, just be sure to take it out before entering the water! The shorts offer UPF 50+ protection, so you can feel confident at the beach all day long. Wear them with your favorite tankini, bikini top or t-shirt for a cute, comfy swim ensemble.
Size range: S to 1X | Materials: 85% polyester/15% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle
*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.
Here are three of our favorite places to shop for swimsuits for pregnant women. From dedicated maternity brands to department stores with tons of options, these online retailers have pregnancy swimwear to suit every style and budget.
- Summer Mae. If you’re looking for a statement one-piece, or bikini check out Summer Mae. The brand’s maternity swimwear line includes colorful, fashion-forward pieces at reasonable prices.
- PinkBlush Maternity. Stylish mamas looking for on-trend pregnancy bathing suits at affordable prices will love PinkBlush Maternity. The brand has a wonderful range of bikinis, tankinis, swimsuits and coverups with inclusive sizing options and prices as low as $32.
- Nordstrom. Searching for maternity swimwear made by established brands you know and love? Nordstrom has a curated selection of options from cult-fave brands like Cache Coeur, Pez D’Or and Mermaid Maternity.
About the writer:
Martina Garvey is an editor at The Bump, where she writes and edits e-commerce content for pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. Over an eight-year career in educational publishing and digital media, Martina has developed a keen eye for detail and robust reporting skills. As a staff member on The Bump for over four years, she leverages an in-depth knowledge of must-have baby gear and postpartum essentials alongside a passion for the latest trends to create informative content parents can trust.
Plus, more from The Bump:
The Bump March 2024 Survey. Editors conducted a survey of 347 new and expectant parents from among The Bump community.
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