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The quest for a great-fitting swimsuit can feel beyond hopeless—some have compared the actual discovery to striking oil in the backyard. But you can suit-strategize as you shop. You don’t have to accept the first Lycra tankini you deem non-humiliating. Let the quest continue. May the best breast-hugging bottom-flatterer be yours! Try these smart stores below, and we believe you may even strike swimsuit gold.
Bare Necessities
The fine lingerie boutique sells suits all year, including a big resort selection between October and April, and even more for summer. Owner Lynn Fram carries Gottex ($150-200), Gideon Oberson and Pilpel ($100-140), lines beloved for built-in control. Matching skirts and sarongs hang close by. Lynn also stocks Carmen Marc Valvo and Karla Colletto ($130-170), La Blanca, Nautica and Anne Cole ($70-120), and Maryann Mehlhorn’s colorful, detailed suits from Australia ($130-210). Mehlhorn’s turquoise bikini is a stunner. The Michael Kors and Betsey Johnson options ($150-180) are sweet. For fat-free women, Rygy, La Playa and Becca (by Rebecca Virtue) bikinis run about $85. For a super-slimming fit, Lynn swears by Gottex, which employs pleating and side-buckles for the ultimate optical illusion: the great bod. Alterations available. Green Spring Station - 10751 Falls Road, Lutherville 410.583.1383
South Moon Under
Find something sexy for every swimmer. Vix and Juicy bikini lines are good for college-age girls—Roxie, Billabong, and Hurley, too. Vix line features cute embellishments ($150 per two-piece), while Juicy attaches bows and other charms ($110 per suit). La Blanca’s in the house as well. Robin Piccone makes a sophisticated bikini in unadorned top and bottom ($124). It is well-made and likely to stay tied-up tight. The Alisa Curran one-piece in army green fits likes a dream ($150). Find handsome board shorts by Reef, Quiksilver and Billabong ($50). Reef flip-flops with bottle opener built into each sole are a fun gift ($45); another flip-flop pair conceals an actual flask in the sole. School’s out! Shops at Kenilworth - 822 Kenilworth Drive, Towson 410.337.7484; Harbor East - 815 Aliceanna Street 410.685.7820
Everything But Water
When local Andy Cohen sold his Water Water Everywhere chain to Everything But Water, the store took on the new owner’s name, but the shop still stocks everything under the sun in the way of quality swimwear for her. A gorgeous Leilani navy blue one-piece with white-circle detail is almost guaranteed to look good—and glam ($78). Manager Charlene Jones is happy to advise customers. She likes the flattering effect of the La Blanca “Double-V,” with a deep-V plunge in front, an X on the belly ($112). The Miracle Suit one-piece, with “double paneling,” promises to shave off 10 lbs for $122. Anne Cole’s one-shoulder one-piece ($114) is a knockout. The Sunsets line makes a tankini roomy enough for mothers-to-be. For juniors and skin and bones, Radio Fiji bikinis come in wild patterns and trim ($85 for two-piece). Aqua Tutto ($50 each piece) is yet another sizzling bikini line. Also in stock: DVF and Kors. Towson Town Center - 825 Dulaney Valley Road, 410.821.9287
Target
Your last-minute lifesaver for suits, sandals, straw hats and beach snacks. Target sells Merona swim separates, $17.99 apiece. The eggplant swim skirt and top with gold embroidery is expensive-looking and wearable. Isaac Mizrahi bikini tops in green-and-white polka dot, butterfly pattern or chocolate brown can be paired with a skirt bottom or bikini pant, $19.99 each. The Mossimo line sews a bikini bottom plus ruffle to nice camouflage effect. Juniors Xhilaration patterned bikinis come in neat patterns, including strawberries and 60s stripes, but you’ve got to be skinny to carry off these suits. The Merona one-piece in chocolate with necktie might be the most flattering of the bunch ($16.99). Liz Lange maternity suits pack summer style ($24). Mossimo and Merona swim separates come in women’s plus—the tankini with diagonal stripes is cute city. Assorted locations
Loehmann’s
Shopping will be a bit of a lottery, as your size might not be in stock. But the suits are cute as pie. So, look around. Check the Ocean Pacific bikinis in pastels. We like the graceful fit of the Versace red and blue striped one-piece one shoulder (with sleek black strings holding the other up) for only $40. A Lilly Pulitzer one-piece in quilt print ($70) says Outer Banks picnic. The Bella Brazil bikini in flower print is a steal at $30. A Vix red striped bikini ($40) is a smart buy. The DKNY bikini with animal print top and stretchy solid bottom with slimming flap ($20/20) might be our favorite two-piece of the season. We can find a Miracle Suit here for $40, more than fifty percent off the usual price. Juicy and Esprit also abound—in certain sizes only… Lutherville Station Shopping Center - 160 W. Ridgely Road, Lutherville 410.252.7177
We Fit
Ann Rosenberg’s democratic bra store, which houses undergarments and shapers for larger women, as well as prosthetics for breast cancer survivors, also carries a sound selection of swimwear, most with the fuller-figured swimmer in mind. Rosenberg stocks Roxanne for the largest busted women. Certain Roxanne suits have a higher leg, others a flattering skirt flap. Blouson, another label, slims the bust and camouflages the middle, thanks to a multi-colored effect: ruffled color on top, solid black on bottom. Alicia Simone is a pretty line with animal prints, low-cut fronts and sexier packaging overall. The Amoena surgical suit contains a pocket for a prosthetic swim-form, but Ann is happy to stitch a pocket in any suit in the store. If you’re in the market for a flattering one-piece with a good bust line, We Fit will guide and fit you. Alteration is available in the store. Suits range in price from $60-90. 1416 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville 410.484.1022
Ten tips from Lynn Fram of Bare Necessities and Charlene Jones of Everything But Water:
• Face the music in a 360° mirror. When you shop online, you risk disaster.
• Aim for a bust fit that is faithfully secure and a bottom fit that’s anything but suffocating.
• A woman should often go up a size or even two in a bathing suit.
• Swimsuits can be altered. If you go up a size, cups might need to be tailored or the sides of the suit taken in. Fit is everything so don’t be shy about alterations.
• Be aware: Larger cup sizes are now available at most department stores and boutiques.
• To slim, go for prints—not engineered prints, but a scattered type of print. They can hide a belly—your eye is not drawn to the trouble spot.
• The tankini provides good camouflage for love handles.
• A low bikini bottom is better than high boy-shorts for minimizing minor “tire flab.”
• Women look good in color. Don’t reach first for the black shaper suit. Experiment with shades.
• It’s actually a good idea to eat something before you begin your swimsuit search. Why? You’ll be less irritable and won’t buy something that will prove to be too tight later.