When S told me that Summersalt sells plus-size swimwear, I knew I needed to hop on the train and give it a try. Cams has been raving about these suits for so long and just posted her try-on haul, so I was curious to see how well they work for plus-size and what they have to offer. And as always, I have some thoughts…
Summersalt Swim: A Review Of Plus-Size Bathing Suits
When these bathing suits first arrived at my door, I was so stoked and was very impressed with the vibrancy of the colors, the fun patterns, and the feel of the fabric! At first blush, I was excited to try a bunch of plus-size suits in styles I haven’t found anywhere else, and also thrilled that Summersalt is sustainable. Another initial bonus for me was the already sewn-in bra cups — which means no fuss or muss with readjustments during pool time.
While I absolutely loved the colors and feel of the fabric, things went south once I actually tried on the suits. There was one swimsuit that I did really love and wanted to work, but unfortunately, the cup placement was just too low for me. I really wish all five swimsuits would have been wired for extra support. One-piece suits tend to be a challenge for me, and sadly, the same was true with Summersalt. While the swimsuits ultimately didn’t work for me, this white button-down cover-up did! I loved it when I saw it online and was ecstatic when it fit in person!
A quick note about Summersalt’s website: searching for plus-size suits here proved to be a real challenge. Some suits were available in sizes 2-12, some in a 2-14, others in a 2-22, and lastly 2-24, but I had to click through to each piece to find that out. I wish they had a designated Extended Sizes section on their website. Even worse, when you search “extended sizes” or “plus-size” nothing comes up either. So to make things a bit easier on you guys, I linked up every single swimsuit and cover-up that I could find offered in extended sizes on the site (boy, was that a LOT of searching)!
Summersalt Plus-Size Swimsuits: The Good & The Not-So-Good
My Favorite: The Button-Down Cover Up
Of all the things I tried from Summersalt, this cover-up was by far my favorite piece! I love a good button-down, and I also love dusters, so this is the best of both worlds. The material feels slightly waterproof — which is great for throwing on after a dip in the pool!
The Effortless Shirt Dress Cover-Up
The Cove One-Piece
This was the swimsuit that fit me the best, and I really loved the design! I do wish it had more support in the chest, but overall I really loved how it looked on me. This suit runs true-to-size, is definitely full-coverage, and felt like it would stay in place all day long!
The Marina One-Piece
The Marina was the best fitting suit of all the ones I tried. I love the color and the pattern, but she ranks in second place for me solely based on my own style preference. This suit was really a great fit, and also comes in many different colors and patterns. I personally would have kept it if it were in a more classic pattern. She a solid suit for sure!
The Voyager Bikini
I absolutely loved the Voyager swimsuit bottoms! Everything about them just worked for me and they fit like a glove. Unfortunately, the same was not so for the top. I had some issues with the cup placement and needed more support. I did love the bright color and the turquoise straps, though!
The Explorer One-Piece
Yes to these vibrant colors, but no to the bra cups — too low for me. I also think the cut at the bum area could come up higher. This suit is full coverage and might work for someone who is a little less curvy than me!
Limited Edition Sidestroke One-Piece
I LOVE this pattern, but this suit didn’t work for me at all. Too small, and I only managed to get this puppy on once. When my shipment arrived, it was late at night, and I decided I needed to try this on right then and there. After struggling to get it on, I snapped a quick pic and decided trying to wiggle back into this the next day wasn’t going to happen. What made this so hard to put on for me, was the one-shoulder strap. Trying to get that over my hips had me in a sweat — I most definitely could have gone up a size. I really wanted to love this one, but this design just doesn’t work for my body type. P.s. This suit looks amazing on Cams!
Shop More Plus-Size Swimsuits & Cover-Ups From Summersalt
Even though Summersalt swimsuits didn’t end up working for me, I did really love their shirtdress cover-up and the bright colors in their collection. Have you tried Summersalt yet? And if so, what are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments!
p.s. If you want to see some of the swimsuits that did work for me, check out this post where I tried on 10! Also, don’t forget about our 2020 Swim Guide.
XX – Kat
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I have the Marina in leopard and love it! The only thing is that it’s a little higher in the leg than I’m used to, which is tricky when waxing studios aren’t open (or safe) during COVID times…but who’s seeing me in the pool anyway!
Haha I totally get that, but at least you are rocking your swimwear in private! I know I am!
I vote navy/white…it’s beautiful!!
Thanks so much!
I have been looking at the Summersalt suits and cover ups for a while now and I have become obsessed with that cover up! I love it. I also think the Cove suit looks amazing on you. I may just finally order those two pieces! Love them!
I LOVED the coverup and am so glad you like it too! Let me know how you like them when you try them out!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for showing what these suits (and other clothing lines) look like on a curvier body. Kat – you’re a stunner.
Absolutely! And thank you for the compliment! 🙂
Thank you! This is so helpful and you are just stunning, Kat! As a busty size-14 I totally agree that larger sizes often lack the cup support. I’ve been eyeing this brand for a while, so appreciate your honest review. Sounds like they have a little work to do for size inclusivity!
I’m not sure if it’s some sort of blog algorithm in effect here or what, but this is the second time I’ve visited your site a couple of times in a single day to find a post by Kat pushed down to not be your top, or “leading,” post. Earlier today I visited your site and found Laura’s post on caftans followed by the post on the new Voloshin x momedit collection; I came back later to find Scotti’s post followed by Laura’s post THEN followed by Kat’s post, which I had not seen before. This issue has been bothering me since the first time I saw it happen a few weeks ago, with another one of Kat’s posts, so tonight as I see it happening again I need to speak up and ask why. As a long-time reader, it is important to me that this blog walks its talk in terms of inclusion and lifting up Black lives and voices (as it has specifically pledged to do), and does not push or bump any contributor further down the page, out of the spotlight, for any reason. Thanks for your consideration.
Katy, we have a publishing schedule based on what we believe are the ‘optimal’ times to publish. Then as content is completed it gets edited, SEO’d, and scheduled into one of those timeslots. Some timeslots perform better than others…and this post, quite frankly, was actually scheduled for one of our very best timeslots. There is no “pushing” or “bumping” of contributors down a page, there is simply our normal course of doing business. Nor does this perceived “pushing” have anything to do with the performance of the article.
I’ve been eyeing Summersalt suits forever, but keep coming back to the same issue—underwires! We need them, we want them and they don’t have them! Having said that Kat, reconsider the Sidestroke, Cove or Marina—-they look fabulous! I love the colorful suits on you, just beautiful!