Hi. Swimsuits. This is the time of year I kick myself for not having planned a warm beach vacay, but alas, many of you have a fabulous trip on the books, so we need to talk swimsuits!

Last year, I tried Boden swimsuits for the first time and fell in love. So, while this little journey here started with me eyeing some new Summersalt styles (spoiler: I hate them), I knew I had to compare them to my very favorite bathing suits from Boden.

Boden Vs. Summersalt Swimwear: 4 Swimsuits I Love + 3 I Hate (A Try-On)

I’ve always been taught that hate is a strong word…and yeah. That’s why I used it here when trying on the Summersalt swimsuits, haha. No, OK. Hear me out: I think I’ve realized Summersalt swimsuits (at least when it comes to one-piece bathing suits) are not for petite or shorter people. Unlike this stunner from Boden:

swimsuit (8) | Birks

I recently tried seven (yup, seven) one-piece swimsuits to see if my feelings had changed, but for me, Boden wins every time.

Before we get into the try-on and review, here are all the suits I tried (both Boden and Summersalt), if you wanna just skip to that part:

Proof Of My Summertime Self Living In My Boden Swimsuit

swimsuit (8) | hat | Tevas

I LOVE this swimsuit. It’s the Kefalonia halter-neck swimsuit, and while my exact color combo isn’t being offered this year, Boden still has the same fabulous suit I adore in some other color options (like the one in the widget above). I’m wearing an 8, which is pretty true to size for me right now, especially for Boden (I tend to size up if between sizes there across the board.)

4 Boden 1-Piece Bathing Suits I Tried & Loved

A few of us on The Mom Edit team have tried Summersalt swimwear over the years, and most of us feel the same…not for us. Boden swimsuits, on the other hand, are SO good! Linzi and I both love them. Let’s get into the comparisons, and you can make your own conclusions!

1. Boden Ithaca Halter Swimsuit: New Favorite

Sporty, super-comfy, nice lift, long-torso option, nursing-friendly

Ahh, the Ithaca Halter Swimsuit actually makes me love swimwear…even in February. I know. After years of trying on suits this time of year, let me tell you it’s a rare thing. But look at the fit here! So cute with those sporty vibes I adore, in a really wearable suit.

The halter ties stay tied so well, and the fabric holds up beautifully. I can’t say enough good things about this bathing suits from Boden. This is my new favorite! Lined cups, not too cheeky but a little bit, and SUPER-comfy.

swimsuit (8) | Birks | similar sunglasses

2. Boden Underwire Voop Swimsuit: Classic

Underwire support, adjustable straps, bra sizing in 32A-38DD

This Boden Underwire Voop Swimsuit style is a new one to me this year. I was drawn in by the fab tomato red (one of my favorite colors to wear in summer), but the fact that it has great support, comes in bra sizes and has adjustable straps all make it a lovely choice. It leans a little too classic for me (I like my sporty details on the others), but it’s a really beautifully made suit. TTS.

swimsuit (34D) | Birks

3. Boden Halterneck U-Bar Swimsuit: A Nice Surprise

cute new print, great support, long-torso option

This Halterneck U-Bar Swimsuit is surprising because I’m not typically a paisley or floral-print gal. This is so cute, though! I also love the shape of the U-bust for support. TTS, but perhaps size up if you’re larger in the bust.

swimsuit (8) | Birks

4. Boden Kefalonia Swimsuit: Best Fit

my very favorite fit from Boden, nice support, good for postpartum, long-torso option

This is the exact same halter style from last year that I showed above, but in a black-and-ivory colorway. I adore this swimsuit, and while I think the color combo I got last year is my favorite, this one is gorgeous. I would’ve kept it had I not already owned one! TTS, comfy, supportive and easy to wear.

I love this suit because I feel both comfy AND confident it in, which is saying a lot for a swimsuit! This year it comes in a print and navy textured-stripe options too. Both are adorable.

swimsuit (8) | Birks

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3 Summersalt 1-Piece Bathing Suits I Tried & Hated

What drew me in to Summersalt this year were some of the styles I saw online. They’re so cute on the website! But, alas, you’ll see below that they’re not for my short torso’d, 5-foot-4-inch bod.

1. Summersalt The Split Backflip: AKA Half See-Through

cute colorblocking style, best for taller peeps, runs small in bust

This Split Backflip bathing suit is the one that piqued my interest in Summersalt again, but while it’s cute, there are a few problems. It’s too small in the bust, even though it fits elsewhere, AND the ivory side (though hard to tell here) shows the inner bust seam + cup lining through the fabric. Womp, womp.

I think this swimsuit would be best for someone a bit taller and with a smaller chest (I’m a 34D/DD.)

swimsuit (6) | Birks

2. Summersalt The Ribbed Belted Backflip: Just No

sexy deep plunge, cute belt, not for shorter torsos/heights, non-adjustable straps

First off, while I don’t mind a bit of a plunge, the Ribbed Belted Backflip is just too much for me and my style. Rock that sexy deep plunge if that’s what you love, but that wasn’t the only issue here for me. The straps on this suit aren’t adjustable, and with the shorter length of my upper torso especially, they felt like they would slip off. Ain’t no mama got time for that, so a hard pass.

The belt is also not the best look on me here, but I feel like for someone with a longer torso this could be a super-cute option! This, I would say, is more for lounging poolside than for hopping in to swim with the kids.

swimsuit (6) | Birks

3. Summersalt The Plunge: Alllmost But Not Quite

cute sexy style, nursing-friendly, gapes at the bust (for me)

This Summersalt Plunge swimsuit looks pretty cute on from here, especially in the dark color. It’s sexy without being uncomfortable too. But what’s hard to see in these pics is the fact that it gapes in the bust areas. The fabric there is too wide for my chest, and it sticks out at the sides (very noticeable in person). So, womp, womp again for me and Summersalt.

BUT, if you have wider breasts or typically find one-piece swimsuits don’t provide enough coverage width-wise without sizing up, this could be a good option for you. This Plunge suit could be a great option for postpartum and nursing!

swimsuit (6) | Birks

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As always, my friends, I hope this post proves helpful in your swimsuit searches! Please comment with the fun warm places you’re going this year, and I’ll live vicariously through you right now! I’m a lucky duck who gets to go to Alt Summit conference in Palm Springs soon, so don’t worry too much about me and my vitamin-D levels! 😉

xo,

L

Want to keep up with everything else I’m into? Pop over to my Instagram @laurajansenstyle where I love talking about food, sharing OOTDs, posting travel pics and chatting everyday mom-life-stuff from Portland, Oregon. Oh, and lots of sarcastic memes and cute pet videos because what is social media without plenty of those. xoxo

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