Ready or not, it’s swimsuit season. As someone who has spent a lifetime in the water—from my childhood as a competitive swimmer, eventually competing at the NCAA level, to now learning to surf and spearfish —I get how imperative it is for a suit to stay put. Thankfully, the days of Speedo, TYR, and Nike being the only options are long gone. (The struggle was so very real as a tall one with curves.) Now, there are plenty of stylish brands on offer, many of which are sustainably produced from brands based right here in the West. Here are some of my favorites.
Left on Friday
This Canada-based, woman-owned brand was founded by former Lululemon execs, and with one swim in these buttery suits, you’ll feel the connection. The smoothing compression fabric is like your favorite pair of leggings but in bathing suit form. Offering both form and function, the Weekender is my personal favorite, with a low plunge neckline and supportive cross-back straps that allow you to move freely without worry.
Left on Friday Weekender, $180
Aokai
Ocean dwellers will immediately take note that these suits designed by North Shore sisters Tina and Sally Cohen are meant to move with the sea. The sisters are both lifelong longboarders, and it’s clear they put real intention into their colorful, vibrant designs. My personal favorites are the Mai tops, whose solid construction is met with a strappy detail to help the suit stay put. The brand also offers one-piece options and sleek spring suits.
Aokai Mai, $90
Jolyn
There’s a reason why world class athletes and teams choose to sport Jolyn. Their one-piece suits and bikinis made from recycled materials offer adjustable tie-back tops, drawstring bottoms, and high-grade elastic to ensure they always stay put. Their surf bottoms are also particularly cheeky and cute.
Jackson 4 Onesie, $68
Revly Sport
Manufactured in SoCal, Revly’s suits are curvy-girl-friendly and stay put even in a wipeout. The brand was started by collegiate volleyballer Jordan Robbins with versatility in mind; the swimsuit tops double as sports bras, and the snug yet buttery surf shorts double up as compression shorts on dry land.
Revly Chance Top, $76
Carve Designs
The idea for Carve started on a surf trip to San Pancho, Mexico. Friends Jennifer Hinton and Thayer Sylvester lamented how hard it was to find board shorts that could keep up with the female form and so the line was born. Ninety-five percent of the line is made with sustainable or upcycled materials. The Sanitas tops and bottoms offer tons of support with their construction, which includes compression.
Carve Sanitas Compression Top, $64
Abysse
Abysee is founded by a mother and daughter team Hanalei and Raphaele born and raised on the islands of Tahiti, where water is a way of life. They take sustainability seriously, and even their wetsuit options are made from a Japanese-made neoprene alternative. The one-piece surf suits offer flattering silhouettes that hit mid-thigh, giving a decidedly vintage feel, but with updated patterns and colors. And their short bodysuits offer bootie coverage that many suits simply don’t these days. They also look nice with a linen shirt thrown over to walk around town.
Abysse Short Bodysuit, $200
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