Swimsuit try-ons used to require a lot of emotional lifting. It wasn’t just an article of clothing; it was a moral indictment. That was until I reached a point last year and had a lightbulb moment; “What if I’m the perfect size just the way I am? What could I be doing if I didn’t spend so much time thinking about my body, how it looks, what size it is, etc.,?”
It was kinda revolutionary.
Nordstrom Swim: 8 Bikinis & Bathing Suits From BLEU To Robin Piccone
With that said, I scoured Nordstrom to find a winning swimsuit (or two) that I can rock all summer long. From bright and colorful one-pieces and a sexy little black swimsuit by BLEU, to a sweet gingham number by Robin Piccone, and more — I was pleasantly surprised by Nordstrom’s selection of one-piece swimsuits and bikinis for 2022.
Nordstrom Swim Try-On: The One-Piece Bathing Suits
I tried to cover as many one-piece swimsuit styles as possible: halter, plunge, tank style, full-coverage, high-waisted and more. Now let’s dive into the good, the meh, and the extremely cheeky…
1| Belted One-Piece Swimsuit By BLEU
Listen, you’re going to see a lot of BLEU swimwear in this post and it’s for good reason. They know one-piece suits and this Belted One-Piece is no exception. It’s absolute PERFECTION. Super-colorful, which is on-trend for this summer. The belt gives me a waist (I’m short-waisted so anything that creates a waistline I love) and the neckline is gorgeous. I have permanent swimmer’s shoulders from spending my formative years in the pool, and this suit really shows them off. What’s fun is you can pick up any color in the suit through accessories. I decided to go with yellow and pair the swimsuit with these yellow slide sandals (under $40).
Fit Notes: The suit is TTS (I’m wearing a 10). The sandals are TTS (I’m wearing an 8).
2| Ring Me Up Plunge Mio One-Piece Swimsuit by BLEU
Everyone needs a LBS (little black swimsuit) in their repertoire and this Ring Me Up Plunge One-Piece does NOT disappoint. I almost didn’t buy it because it’s so similar to the knotted one-piece from BLEU that I purchased last summer. I’m glad I ordered this one because it is plungier (did I just make up a word?) than the knotted one-piece and just so sexy (but not like “banned from the public pool with the kids” sexy). You could easily throw pants on and wear it as a bodysuit as well. It has removable cups, so it keeps everything in place (I’m a C cup). It’s a gorgeous piece. 10 out of 10.
Fit Notes: The swimsuit fits TTS (I’m wearing a 10). The sandals are TTS (I’m wearing an 8).
3| Beachy Keen Shirred One-Piece Swimsuit by BLEU
Here is our first swimsuit with underwire! Rejoice my bigger-busted beauties! I feel like this Beachy Keen One-Piece is a great option for postpartum mamas — like when you’re past the 4th-trimester, maternity-clothes phase. It has fantastic support, great bum coverage, and a vibrant pattern that just makes me happy. For a similar one-piece with supportive cups, check out this swimsuit.
Fit Notes: The swimsuit is TTS (I’m wearing a 10). The sandals are TTS (I’m wearing an 8).
4| Jemma Tie Front Gingham One-Piece Swimsuit by Robin Piccone
This Robin Piccone Gingham One-Piece makes me feel like a gorgeous English picnic blanket (and I mean that in a good way). This suit could be great…the only downside is I ordered the wrong size! I went a size up to a 12 (mistake). The butt is too big and the top could be a little tighter. I think my normal size 10 would have been perfect because otherwise, it is a splendid suit.
Robin Piccone Swimsuit | Sandals
Fit Notes: The swimsuit is TTS (I’m wearing a 12, but needed my normal size 10). The sandals are TTS (I’m wearing an 8).
5| Tank Style Multifit Underwire One-Piece Swimsuit by Sea Level
I don’t know if I lost the ability to read when I ordered this Sea Level Tank Style Swimsuit in a size 8 but it does NOT fit. I’m talking barely got over my thighs, and my girls are like flapjacks in this straight-jacket-of-a-suit. I think a size 10 or 12 would have been better. On the plus, it is a cute suit, the espresso color is a nice departure from black, it has full bum coverage and it goes great with my Sam Edelman Sandals. Wrong size, lesson learned.
Fit Notes: Order your normal size or a size up (I ordered an 8 and that was a mistake). The sandals are TTS (I’m wearing an 8).
6| Barely There One-Piece by Good American
There’s no false advertising with this Good American Barely There Swimsuit. It is….barely…there. I am wildly uncomfortable and there is no way I wouldn’t lose a boob to one formidable wave in the ocean. If you’re looking for a bathing suit that’s under $100, between thong/cheeky bum coverage and no built-in support for your chest, this is the suit. If you are a mother of 3 who is running for President in 2036 on the Anti-Thong Platform…hard pass.
Good American Swimsuit | Sandals
Fit Notes: The swimsuit runs TTS I guess? (I’m wearing a 3, which equals a large). The sandals are TTS (I’m wearing an 8).
Nordstrom Swim Try-On: The High-Waisted Bikinis
I also tried on a few two-piece bikinis for good measure, both from Sea Level. Let’s ‘dive in!’ (wink)
1| Sorrento Stripe High Waist Gathered Side Bikini Bottoms & Underwire Bikini Top by Sea Level
Although the one-piece Sea Level swimsuit didn’t fit in a size 8, the Sorrento Stripe High-Waisted Bikini Bottoms are a size 8 and fit perfectly. *shrug emoji* I love these bottoms in French Blue (wannabe Francophile over here). They are high-waisted but not diaper-esque. The Cross Front Underwire Bikini Top has a ton of support, but it feels too tight across the band. I am broad-shouldered, but only a C cup so sometimes bra-like bikini tops don’t work for me. If you’re looking for a two-piece with support, this is a fabulous option.
Sea Level Bikini Top | Sea Level Bikini Bottoms | Sandals
Fit Notes: The bottoms run big (I’m wearing an 8, usually a 10). The top runs more TTS (I’m wearing an 8, needed a 10 or a 12). The sandals are TTS (I’m wearing an 8).
2| Sorrento Stripe High Waist Gathered Side Bikini Bottoms & Stripe Bikini Top by Sea Level
The high-waisted bottoms are the same Sorrento Stripe High-Waisted Bikini Bottoms as the previous two-piece, but the bikini top is different. While I prefer the cut and fit of this Stripe Bikini Top, I can’t get the lining to stay down. You can see the white peeking out of the V-neck. It’s just not working for me. Cute retro bottoms, pass on the top.
Sea Level Bikini Top | Sea Level Bikini Bottoms | Sandals
Fit Notes: The bottoms run big, size down (I’m wearing an 8). Go TTS or size up in the bikini top (I’m wearing an 8, needed a 10 or 12).
What’s interesting is the initial knee-jerk reaction to bemoan swimsuit try-ons has not left me. I caught myself starting to type “ugh, dreading swimsuits!” for this very intro, but truthfully? I don’t dread it. It’s a piece of fabric. It doesn’t define my worth. I deserve to find a swimsuit that feels good. And so do you.
Body acceptance takes time. Nothing has been more rewarding than cutting ties with the emotional baggage that clothing try-ons (specifically swimwear) used to carry. Now, I just have fun with it and it has allowed me to experiment and discover styles I never would have tried before. No matter what size I am, I will be bathing suit-ready this summer.
x, Meredith
ps. For even more one and two-piece options check out my latest review of J.Crew swim + our brand new 2022 Swim Guide, here. For our Postpartum mamas, this one’s for you.
 to rock all summer. From colorful 1-piece prints + a sexy li'l black suit by BLEU, to a sweet gingham by Robin Piccone... -- I'm pleasantly surprised by the swimsuits & bikinis for 2022.){kind=link}
I’ve just got to say, Meredith, your skin is lovely! You make all of the suits, even the “fails,” look good.
That gingham number is especially cute.
I don’t feel like my swimsuit considerations are common ones, but in case the team is still thinking suits: what about A-cupped, pear-shaped, long-waisted, aging-chested (long wrinkles . . . maybe age, maybe from side sleeping?) bodies? Technically tiny, low-coverage tops could work, but that’s just not a great look with gaping cups, a wrinkled chest, and now, a pandemic, post-40 pouch. J. Crew is often my best bet–though any “plunge” tends towards disastrous, the ruched v-neck one piece is a flattering fit, and I’ve had good luck with their bikini bottoms and high-necked halter bikini tops, which I don’t see online right now. What about folks who want sleek, minimal, and not-cutesy, and are generally going to swerve from ties, ruffles, and berry prints? A niche request for sure, but I’m all ears for any potential answers!
Thank you for the compliment!
Ok, so I think the keyhole swimsuit I tried on might work best for you (although I understand the torso issue). Another option is Athleta, which tends to have some higher cut tops and tankini’s with coverage. This one is fun! https://shopstyle.it/l/bEqPF
Also, don’t forget to check out the Swim Suit Guide on The Mom Edit’s site! There’s a one-piece guide and a bikini guide coming soon!
Love this. I tried some on from the Swim Guide that you guys posted (Aerie wrap and a two piece) and it was not true to size for me (even the long torso) and no support for the girls. Could be cute… on someone else. I appreciate the “hey, it’s just a body. I just need swim fabric to cover it… it’s all good” mentality. I got there only a couple of years ago myself and it’s liberating!
So liberating! I’ve found a few brands that work for me and I generally stick to them.
You look stunning in these bathing suit photos and your confidence and realization that your body is it’s perfect size is TRUE! Thanks for the inspiration:)
Thank you for your lovely comment :). I remember the moment sitting in my car in the school pickup line when I had the realization that I could decide enough was enough and that my body was fine the way it was. That’s when I started focusing more on my health and how my body feels vs. how it looks.
The gingham suit and all the 2 pieces are my fav!!! You look fabulous!
Aw thank you!
“It’s a piece of fabric. It doesn’t define my worth.” SING IT MAMA!! 🙌🏼
The suits are cute too.
Keep repeating it till you believe it! Thank you 🙂
Preach that!!! You look fantastic in all these, even the “failed” ones! Body acceptance is crucially important, and as a mom of a daughter who struggles with that it’s even more important. Like we’ve said so many times in TMEI “WEAR THE DAMN _______!” And wear it proudly! Love you girl!
Body acceptance is definitely a journey and one I am working on so I can model positive behaviors for my children and hopefully they’ll have less baggage in this area. Thanks for the love, Lisa <3
As someone who is also short waisted and normally a size 8 I really appreciate not only the swim try on but the body positive message. I see you and think you look great. It is important to remember that our bodies are not things to be fighting with. Swim suits are for swimming and I appreciate that you took note of that here.
Yes! I’m always trying to keep that perspective <3
Loving these! And as a fellow-short waisted mom of three, you are my fitmate. Also love all the sandal choices. Now I’m feeling like I need those super fun steve madden square toe slides. But are they walkable or do they feel like they are slipping off? Because I will be chasing the aforementioned three children…
oo yes we are kindred souls. Ok so I find that the Steve Madden slides don’t “slide” around although I can’t speak to chasing a toddler in them. I feel like they’d be up for the challenge though.