Our Favorite Bathing Suits for Women and Men

I fell in love with Summersalt a few years ago when I started noticing how WONDERFULLY inclusive they are with their models: In addition to showing women of all shapes, sizes and ages, they feature gorgeous models who are differently abled, models with Down syndrome, models covered in tattoos, models with vitiligo… AKA all the real women out there buying bathing suits. (They were also one of the first mainstream companies to offer a modesty-focused swim tunic, so they’re serious about inclusivity.) A personal favorite of mine right now is the Ruched Sidestroke, which comes in a bunch of fun colors and has a version for ladies with long torsos. I own the Sidestroke in white (one of the most insane decisions I’ve ever made — a white bathing suit?! — I sometimes stay up at night thinking of the LITANY of things that could go wrong every time I wear it) but it actually makes me feel so sexy without showing too much skin. Like I’m Audrey Hepburn…if she looked nothing like Audrey Hepburn.

If you’re a fan of KCM’s content, you’ll know that we absolutely stan Girlfriend Collective. So when I found out they were making bathing suits this summer, I basically went berserk. Like all of their clothing, the suits come in sizes XXS to 6XL, and are all simple, elegant, and really well made. I got the Whidbey One Piece in Aqua and I am obsessed:  It has a simple, classic, clean look but will also make you feel like Billy Porter arriving at the 2019 Met Gala. like a million bucks. If you’re on the slightly taller side (I’m 5’6”) I’d suggest sizing up, since the torso area is a bit short and you don’t want it to ride up.

I discovered Riot Swim last summer when I began making a concerted effort to buy from Black-owned businesses, and boy did it force me to have some body confidence on the beach. The brand was started by model Monti Landers, and the suits are definitely made for women who are as confident about rockin’ a high-waisted booty-bearing bikini as Monti is. I got the Pico Bikini Top and Bottom in black, and while it’s certainly not a suit I would wear around my mom and dad, on the days when I’m feeling confident about my tushie I’ll whip it out. (And usually end up with a horrible sunburn on parts of my body that have never seen the sun before, but them’s the breaks.)

I am an absolute sucker for anything that’s advertised to me on Instagram. Steal my data all you want, Mark Zuckerberg, especially if it means you’re going to advertise to me the exact bathing suit that I didn’t even know I wanted. In this case, it was the Kenny Flowers Positano High Waist Bikini Bottom and bandeau top. On principle, I generally don’t buy fancy bathing suit tops and bottoms separately because it feels like I’m being swindled — but in this case I made an exception, and I’m glad I did. You know how sometimes high-waisted bikini bottoms make you look like an adult woman wearing a diaper? These ones do not, and that’s worth the price tag for me.

First of all, what a silly and delightful company name — I’m on board already! But the real reason I chose the Birdwell Men’s 311 Nylon Board Shorts in Federal Blue is because I love the way the top of the suit laces at the waist. It’s a cool, very subtle way to say “yes, I am wearing a solid color board short to the beach today, but I am still fashionable.” Also my goodness I don’t know what an “interior drain hole” is, but according to the description this has one. So that’s… good?

I’ve seen these on men at the beach before and thought, “Those are simply fantastic.” Chubbies is known for their bright, eccentric prints, and I love that they’ve given men an outlet to show off their fashion sense. They come in three different lengths, but their classic five-inch is a bit shorter than your average men’s suit, which I think is sort of daring and cheeky. They also have a whole section on their site dedicated to pride, which I love for them. I personally recommend the On The Horizons 5.5″ Stretch in the Lines print (a pink and blue colorblock with white stripes) which come with a zipper pocket, because men get everything good.

Nothing says “I’m going to do some casual sports stuff today” like an outfit from LL Bean, and their bathing suits are no exception. The Bean is known for making quality products that last far beyond one swim season. I like these Men’s Classic Supplex Sport Short Colorblock in the ocean teal color. To me, they say, “I’m here at the beach, I might play a little Kan Jam, throw a few dogs on the BBQ, and take a nap later.” And there’s nothin’ wrong with that.

Of course, my friends, I saved the best for last. For those gentlemen who are confident expressing themselves through nylon color palettes, I am feelin’ the heck out of these Daisy Print Swim Shorts in hot pink and yellow. If I saw a man wearing these at the beach, I would think, “That guy is a bundle of fun who either doesn’t take himself too seriously or takes himself VERY seriously, and that’s something I’m interested in finding out.”