Every body is beautiful, but that doesn't mean we're immune to insecurities once in a while — especially when it comes time to shop for a swimsuit. If your main area of concern is your tummy, know that tons of women feel similarly and have taken to online review forums to share which swimwear options offer the best and most flattering tummy control features, while also accentuating the areas that make them feel confident. Explore their findings for yourself in the upcoming selection that includes one-pieces designed with sculpting panels, a compressive swim skirt and an elegant full-coverage suit with camouflaging ruching.
1. Spanx: A Shaping Plunge One-Piece
Spanx is best known for their shapewear, and they've put the same beloved smoothing technology into this bestselling one-piece that the brand promises "hugs your curves in all the right places." The design has flexible layers that target your core with a chic square neck, removable cups and the perfect amount of rear coverage. Plus, it's infused with UPF50+ sun protective fabric. You can grab this suit in sizes XS-3X and five colors.
Promising Spanx review: "This swimsuit is my new favorite! Amazing material, so well made, and fits so great! It is flattering in all the right places and makes me feel so secure. I'm so happy with this swimsuit and I'd highly recommend - I'm actually running to get it in some other colors now too :)" — Ashley
$200 at Spanx
2. Amazon: A Tummy-Control Wrap Suit
You can expect this cut-out one-piece to have a figure-flattering criss-cross design plus the added benefit of tummy control placed around the bottom half of the suit. The top part features non-removable padding, adjustable straps and a tie-back to give you greater support when needed. It can be shopped in over 20 color combinations and patterns and sizes XS-22 plus.
Promising Amazon reviews: "I love the fit and style. I originally bought a size small and really liked the look, but I have ZERO butt and the fabric at the butt/thigh in the back was gaping. I went down to an XS and it fits perfectly. For context: 5'3", 135/140lbs, size 27 or 2-4 in women's pants, and small or medium in tops. I've had 4 babies and this suits holds everything in. Tummy control was spot on." — Heather D.
"I could not be happier with this purchase! I've never found a bathing suit that fit me so well in store let alone buying it online without trying it on first. It's a best seller for a reason! The stretchiness is perfect, it's very flattering! It is the perfect bathing suit for coverage, tummy control, and support!" — Victoria Duke
$37 at Amazon
3. Old Navy: A Wrap-Front Swim Dress
Also available in a few other vibrant prints and colors, this matte-finish swim dress with built-in sun protection features wide shoulder straps, built-in briefs and a wrap-front skirt that lands just below the hip. It's available in sizes XS-4X.
Promising Old Navy reviews: "I have only tried this on but it's cute and comfortable. True to size. Love how it fits and helps hide my post-kids mom belly." — Christen
"This matte side tie swimsuit is both stylish and flattering. The material feels smooth and high quality with a nice matte finish that gives it a modern, understated look. It offers good coverage while still feeling a bit flirty. I love how confident it makes me feel. Great choice for lounging poolside or a beach day!" — anonymous
$40+ at Old Navy (regularly $60)
4. Shapellx: A Sculpting Suit with a Plunge Neckline
This sculpting suit promises a deep-plunge neckline and a camouflaging ruching design across the tummy, perfect for enhancing an hourglass shape. There's an inner mesh panel that offers a moderate 360-degree smoothing compression while side coverage eliminates overspill. You can also get this in black or red and in sizes S-3X.
Promising Shapellx reviews: "This suit is perfect! It fits like a dream and gives me confidence while laying by the pool or swimming! Holds everything in and shows lots of great cleavage!" — Marlean S.
"This swimsuit is exactly as described, fits true to size and is great quality. It also has nice tummy control but is very comfortable. You can not find anything like this in stores! Very happy with my purchase." — Tracy
$64 at Shapellx
5. Amazon: A Retro-Inspired Suit with Strategically Placed Ruching
With a timeless Old Hollywood aesthetic, this one-piece, which is available in sizes XS-XXXL and tons of colors and patterns, is fully lined and has strategically placed ruching, which makes this a good option if you're someone who prefers a flattering look, without an overly compressive feeling. The halter top also has removable push-up padding for added support, while the adjustable ties provide lift.
Promising Amazon review: "I love this suit. Usually, I do a fashion show for my husband with swimsuits and didn't this time. I wore it for the first time this weekend and he kept complimenting how great I look...so I KNOW it's a winner. I needed a one piece I could wear to playdates and a family reunion and this fits the bill. I feel cute and covered. The material is not flimsy - it really does hold you in - perfect for a mom tummy. For reference I wear a size 12 and 36DDD. I bought this suit in a size L and it is snug - but in a tummy controlled way. I like that I feel held in and this gives flexibility if it stretches out like most suits seem to. I did a cannonball in the suit and didn't have to readjust under the water so I'm really pleased. For the price this suit is a no brainer." — Millie A. Shipe
$36 at Amazon
6. Ta3: An Ultra-Sculpting Compressive Suit
Featured on season 13 of Shark Tank, Ta3 is a shaping swimwear brand with innovative suits that use a corset-like cinch-paneled design to create a flattering hourglass shape. This classic one-piece offers a bust-accentuating neckline, full back coverage, and an ultra-supportive shelf bra. Like all Ta3 suits, it's made from a lightweight activewear compression fabric. This suit comes in six colors, including olive and bright red, and in sizes XS-4X in long, extra long, and short torso options.
Promising Ta3 review: "I am 5'5,'' 170 pounds and very curvy/busty. After having kids, swimsuits do not do my stomach justice not to mention a suit that will contain my breasts and also support them. This swimsuit has exceeded my expectations 100x over! I was so skeptical about spending the almost $200 but I would have spent so much more for the comfort, coverage and sculpt this suit gives. Absolutely recommend to anybody looking for the perfect swimwear!" — Miranda W
$178 at Ta3
7. Amazon: A Padded Top and High-Waisted Shorts Set
Reviewers love this two-piece for the supportive bra-style bikini top that features wide adjustable straps and removable push-up padding. Others appreciate the ruched high-waisted bottoms that offer adequate tummy and seat coverage and a cinched-in feeling. If this looks like the suit for you, it's available in 31 color combinations and in plus sizes S-M and 12-28.
Promising Amazon review: "Loved loved loved! I have had three kids and three C sections. I am not in great shape, but this suit was so flattering!! If you're self-conscious of your belly order it." — shawn sproston
$31 at Amazon
8. Summersalt: A One-Shoulder Suit with Bow Detail
The highlight of this chic one-shoulder suit design is the adorable pre-tied bow detail on the shoulder, however, it's also loved for its waist-defining seaming and thoughtful construction using Summersalt's signature recycled swim fabric. This sleek suit is available in seven color combinations and patterns in sizes 2-22.
Promising Summersalt review: "This suit is incredible! It is well-made, with good materials, and is incredibly flattering. I am 5'4", 168 pounds, and still have a tummy after having my third kid. Size 8 is a perfect fit. I did not think I would be able to feel confident in a swimsuit again for quite some time... Summersalt proved me wrong! Buy this suit - you won't regret it!" — Malia S.
$135 at Summersalt
9. Spanx: A Shaping High-Rise Swim Skort
This skirt is made for the water and is infused with Spanx's signature shaping power mesh for 360 degrees of compressive protection. A hidden high-rise bottom is built into the flouncy skirt. It's available in solid black and sizes XS-XL.
$90 at Spanx
10. Amazon: A Ruffled Two-Piece Tankini
This flouncy tankini set features tummy control boy shorts and a triple-tier ruffled top with adjustable straps that help keep you secure and pushed up. There are 11 color combinations to choose from in sizes XXS-2XL.
Promising Amazon review: "OMG I love this swimsuit! Just got it in today, tired it on and it's everything that I can look for in a swimsuit. It definitely covers up my stomach area that I don't like to show off makes me feel slim and very comfortable with my body having this swimsuit on! The material and fabric are soft and very comfortable to wear. I am a mom of two kids. This is the swimsuit to go for to hide the tummy area." — Brogan
$31+ at Amazon
11. Ta3: A Wet Suit-Style One-Piece
This wet suit-style one-piece, called The Surfy, is another suit from Ta3 and features the brand's signature cinch-paneled design to create an hourglass shape. It's made with a compressive activewear fabric with UPF 50+ sun protection and is designed with body contouring seaming. You can purchase The Surfy in this lipstick red color and black and in sizes XS-3X in both long and short torso options.
Promising Ta3 review: "I couldn't believe how flattering this swimsuit is. I'm beyond obsessed. I'm 8 months postpartum and even though I'm back to my pre pregnancy size and weight my stomach isn't what it used to be. I was looking for a swimsuit that would make me feel confident in my body again. I'm happy to say I FOUND IT!" — Dayerlyn A.
$188 at Ta3
12. Amazon: A Ruched Suit with Multiple Ways to Tie It
No matter which way you choose to tie this suit — as a high-neck keyhole front or a V-neck halter — you can expect it to offer enough coverage and chest support. The rest of the suit is made with a slightly compressive and smoothing material for a slimming feel. It's available in over 15 colors and patterns in sizes S-22 plus.
Promising Amazon reviews: "I'm 53, 5'4 and 155 pounds and got the Large. I found it cute, comfy and flattering. Love the color too. Made the girls look great! Well made. Lined." — Joni Lyn
"Love this bathing suit! I've bought multiple colors, super flattering, tummy control, love the adjustable straps, and different ways that it can be worn. Slightly low cut but still cute and appropriate for any pool party. I bought in all black, and black and green, and tan. Very durable." — Kindle Customer
$37 at Amazon
The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.
