I Was in Dire Need of New Swimwear for a Trip, so I Tested Three Popular Brands

Welcome to Skimm Tested, a series where we put viral products to the test and give you our honest, unfiltered reviews.

What I Tested…

• Cupshe

  • x JoJo Saddleback One-Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit ($33.99)

  • x JoJo Audrey V-Wire Colorblock One-Piece Swimsuit ($33.99)

  • MSW Haute Havana Oversized Bow Bikini Top & High-Rise Bottoms Set ($37.99)

  • Ruffled Halterneck Bikini Top & Extra Cheeky Bottoms Set ($24.99)

  • Atlantis Ruffle Bikini Top & Cheeky Bottoms Set ($27.99)

• Abercrombie & Fitch

  • 90s Clean Underwire Bikini Top ($55)

  • High-Leg Cheeky Bottom ($40)

• Montce

  • Petal Bikini Top ($142)

  • Shell Lulu (Zig-Zag Stitch) Bikini Bottom ($94)

Why I Tested...

How I Tested…

I tried on each swimsuit and wore it for a minimum of an hour, during which I walked around my apartment, laid by the pool, and went in the water. I even wore a few of them while on a boat to find out how they held up during an activity.

Test Results…

Cupshe

• Saddleback One-Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit: I had heard people sing the praises of this affordable brand before, so I was excited to put it to the test. Let me preface this by saying, the brand’s collaboration with Bachelor alum JoJo Fletcher is absolutely perfect. The first one-piece I tried, a one-shoulder zebra number, was so flattering it made me actually want to ditch my bikinis. The material is smoothing, and I love that the bottoms offer plenty of coverage. ($33.99)

• Audrey V-Wire Colorblock One-Piece Swimsuit: The black-and-white suit is sleek and has underwire that gives you a nice lift but isn’t uncomfortable at all. I could swim, walk, and jump off a boat into the water in this one without worrying about a wardrobe malfunction. ($33.99)

• Haute Havana Oversized Bow Set: This suit is made of thicker, less stretchy material, so it wouldn’t be ideal for swimming, but it’s incredibly chic and would be great for a bachelorette party or times when you know there would be a photo opp. The bottom is high-rise for a ‘90s-throwback vibe. ($37.99)

• Ruffled Halterneck Set: While I’m usually not a fan of the skimpy bikini, this set actually stayed in place, thanks to the adjustable ties. The red is gorgeous and little bows give it an adorable touch. But if there’s much movement involved, I wouldn’t trust it. ($24.99)

• Atlantis Ruffle Set: Although pink is my favorite color, this one didn’t work as well for my body. It made my frame appear shorter and more squat than I would have liked. The top also didn’t give me as much lift as on the model. If you have a longer torso, it might work better for you. ($27.99)

Abercrombie & Fitch

• 90s Clean Underwire Bikini Top: I have always been an underwire bikini top girlie. It’s simply the best style for all activities, in my opinion, and is flattering to boot. This one from Abercrombie follows suit. The ribbed fabric looks expensive, and I found the top to be pretty full-coverage compared to similar ones. It also comes in a Curve Love option for larger bust sizes. The adjustable straps are crucial for finding the perfect fit. ($55)

• High-Leg Cheeky Bottom: I paired it with the matching cheeky bottom and found it fit just right; the coverage was indeed cheeky but wasn’t in danger of becoming thong-like as I was flipping over or moving around. ($40)

Montce

• Petal Bikini Top: I wanted to try at least one trending brand, and I couldn’t resist this one after seeing the shell print all over Instagram. This set lives up to the hype. The top’s unique cup shape and ruching sets it apart from others I have. I loved how it looked, and I was surprised to find that it offers enough coverage for activities. I bought it for a trip to Vegas, and it was incredibly comfortable for an entire day by the pool. It’s definitely an investment, but after washing it a couple of times, it still looks brand new. This top is already sold out on the brand’s website, but this is a similar style. ($142)

• Shell Lulu Bikini Bottom: The bottom is just as flattering as the top, with a cheeky fit and zig-zag stitch. It’s comfy and doesn’t dig in, since the material is a stretchy nylon and spandex blend. It also comes in an added-coverage version. ($94)

Sidenotes…

• Cupshe: This affordable brand makes great smoothing one-pieces, and it’s worth ordering multiple suits for different occasions. These are the ones I’m taking on family vacation. 

• Abercrombie & Fitch: Abercrombie did not come to play with its swimwear. Their styles are classic, fit well, and are at an accessible, mid-range price point. Plus, if you order a bunch to try on at home, you can easily return them in the store. 

• Montce: This brand is definitely worth the splurge. The fabrics feel luxurious and have just the right amount of stretch. I know it’ll hold up wash after wash for years. I also love the matching pieces you can buy to go with your suit, like the coverup shorts or mesh skirt. There’s even a bucket hat. Sold.

The Fine Details…

• Shop Cupshe at cupshe.com

• Shop Abercrombie & Fitch swimwear at abercrombie.com

• Shop Montce at montce.com, freepeople.com, and nordstrom.com