The flights are booked, and the beach awaits! Maybe now is the time to treat yourself to a new swimsuit? Investing in flattering, well-designed swimwear will not only boost your confidence (we all like to look our best in the holiday reels!) but enable you to go from the sunbed to the sea in style.
Finding swimwear for your body shape will ensure you not only look great but feel comfortable too. The best swimsuit brands will use good quality fabrics with plenty of stretch and clever design details to show off your best bits, while giving the support you need to feel confident. Some of the latest swimwear trends can be tricky to wear, regardless of your age or shape (crochet fabrics and cut-out designs are two trends that might not make my suitcase!), but there are plenty of other designs that are equally as stylish and easier to wear.
I'm a fashion editor and personal stylist with lots of experience in helping women find swimwear that makes them feel great. Investing in a well-fitting swimsuit that will be comfortable to wear and perform well is always a good idea.
Price: £75
Sizes: 30-40 DD-K cup
Padding: No
Wired: Yes
Colours Available: 2
Care: Cool hand wash
Bravissimo is one of the best bra brands with thirty years' experience and expertise in designing the best bras for women with big busts. I have worn many of their bras, including the bestselling Millie balcony bra, which is one of my everyday favourites.
Alongside bras, they also design a range of swimwear that offers the same support. I popped along to my local branch to be fitted; they also offer virtual fittings and online advice, which is advisable if you want a great fit. I decided to try the Bravissimo Koh Samui swimsuit as I was intrigued to see if it offered the same support as other more structured styles. I took this swimsuit to Portugal and tested its performance in the swimming pool, and took note of how supported I felt when walking around. I wore it for a couple of hours each day and made note of how comfortable it felt. Here are my findings...
Bravissimo Koh Samui Swimsuit
Concealed inside this swimsuit is an underwired bra that offers full support. The gathered neckline can be adjusted to control the amount of coverage and gathers at the side create folds over the tummy area. Fully lined with tummy control panels.
Bravissimo Koh Samui Swimsuit review
Shape & design
With a gathered neckline that ties in the centre, this swimsuit can be adjusted to completely cover or reveal your cleavage. The sides are gathered too, which creates soft folds over the tummy area. The straps are fixed and can be easily adjusted at the back.
Turn the swimsuit inside out and you will discover that it's fully lined (the front lining is firmer than the back) and there's a separate underwired bra with full-coverage cups. This section is attached to the side seam and clasps at the back. The legs are cut to sit higher on the hip. The back of the swimsuit will fully cover your bottom and is cut away just below the clasp, creating the illusion that you are wearing a high-waisted bikini, rather than a one-piece.
Support & fit
I love the fact that you can adjust the neckline of this swimsuit to get the right fit. I felt fully supported and contained wearing a size 34F and was confident when swimming and walking poolside.
The balconette cups lifted my boobs into (a better!) place. The legs were a little higher cut than I am used to, although my bottom was fully covered, and I did have to tug at the sides a little when getting up from my sunbed. However, I think the higher cut legs actually made my legs look longer, which was a bonus.
Comfort
At £75, this swimsuit is a bit more expensive than others I own, but I was very impressed with the quality of the fabric, which was silkier and more stretchy than the other cheaper brands. It felt luxurious and very comfortable to wear.
Care
Following the instructions on the label, I rinsed the swimsuit after every swim to remove any chlorine, and after my holiday, I hand-washed it using a mild detergent and laid it flat to dry. It took a little longer to dry than other thinner swimsuits.
Verdict
This is a well-designed swimsuit from a brand that really understands the needs of curvy women. The concealed balconette cups held me firmly in place and the tummy control lining ensured it retained its shape. This swimsuit is guaranteed to boost your confidence on the beach this summer.
