15 Petite Swimsuits PureWow Editors, Short Women and a Fashion Stylist Recommend
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Living with a short sister for 27 years, I’m no stranger to the woes of shopping for petite-friendly swimwear geared towards women with a height of 5’4 or shorter (and don’t get her started on finding jeans for short women or joggers for short women). With her years of guidance, I’ve learned a few style tips for petites that have helped her score illusive bathing suit options for short torsos that make her look long and lean. I also asked petite PureWow editors for their recommendations and sought styling advice from a fashion expert to answer your most pressing petite-related questions, like, what swimsuits should petite figures avoid? The answer might shock you. With a ton of petite swimsuit brands on the market, including Boden, Cupshe, Target and Nordstrom, I’ve rounded up 15 petite swimsuits that’ll flatter your silhouette and give you legs for days.
Meet the Expert
Cindy Conroy is a New York- and Toronto-based fashion expert and TV host who has worked with celebs like Christina Milian. Her work has appeared in New York Magazine and WWD as well as PureWow.
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1. Boden Santorini Halterneck Swimsuit
Rachel Bowie, senior director of special projects and royals at PureWow, gets flooded with compliments when she wears her Boden halter swimsuit. The first time the 5’2 mother of one slipped it on, she fell head over heels for the body-sculpting lining, saying, “My stomach felt slimmer, and my butt felt properly covered. And, as a bonus, the customizable tie neck lifted me up without creating a uniboob.” In her in-depth review of the one-piece, Bowie also notes that it’s extremely supportive even after running in and out of the ocean a handful of times, and there’s little to no boob bounce.
2. Cupshe Reversible Bikini Set
What’s better than an affordable bikini set? A reversible, two-in-one bikini set that’s received more than 7,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, of course. According to 5’3 Amazon customer Mandy C., the tank-style bikini top, which comes with removable padded cups, supports her 40DD boobs while tastefully displaying them at the same time. She raves, “The bottoms are awesome—not too high that it’s awkward for short people, but also not too low that my belly hangs out. The coverage in the butt is just right….this swimsuit is one of the best fitting I’ve bought.” What’s more, the straps on both the bottoms and top will let you customize how tight or loose you want the suit to fit on your body.
3. Adore Me Annabee Unlined Swimsuit
PureWow Associate Editor Chelsea Candelario, who clocks in at 5’ tall, can’t say enough good things about this one-piece swimsuit from Adore Me. It’s designed with peek-a-boo keyhole cutouts in the front and back that will do wonders for your petite figure. “This one-piece has underwire and adjustable tie straps so it can really support the girls all day long,” Candelario says. “I also love how it shows off my curves, and it’s a very comfortable design that I will definitely be wearing all summer.” The higher cut of the hips makes the legs appear longer than they are, as does the cheeky-to-moderate coverage that’ll show off a bit of bum without turning into an unwelcomed wedgie or thong.
4. Vitality Oceana Swimsuit
“I'm obsessed with this Oceana set from Vitality,” admits Assistant Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera (who’s 5’2). “It has a super lightweight feel and stretchy textured fabric that I wouldn't mind wearing all day long. I also love that the bottoms have a mid rise that doesn't cut off my torso too much and moderate coverage at the back so I can feel comfortable wearing it on family vacays, too." When it comes to this ‘kini, it’s all about the details. From extra-wide shoulder straps for support to a four-way stretch fabric that’s designed to mold to your body, there’s a lot to love about this bathing suit, including the high cut on the hips that LaBarbera says makes her legs appear longer.
$52 at Vitality for Bikini Top
$52 at Vitality for Bikini Bottoms
5. Freya Jewel Cove Bikini Top
Petite women with big boobs might feel like they’re at a disadvantage when shopping for a bikini, but I’m here to assure you that’s not the case. Freya offers the most adorable bikinis, like this one that’s designed for bigger bust sizes in mind, with adjustable straps and underwire support. Speaking of the back, the straps can convert to a racerback for when you want to take a dive into the deep end. “I am a petite lady with a larger bust and needed something with support that was also cute,” says one Amazon reviewer who purchased the ruffled top. “I did end up sizing up. I’m usually a 38DD [and] ended up needing a 38E.” Here’s the best part: Conroy tells me that ruffles help draw the eye upwards, lengthening the line of your short stature.
6. Yonique Falbala Ruffle Flounce Tankini Swimsuit
If you’re looking for a bit more coverage but still want to keep that ruffled goodness, then this tankini swimsuit is calling your name. With a sexy V-neckline and ruched bodice, this tankini top will draw attention toward your décolletage and face while slimming and contouring your waist, thanks to its tummy control design. Amazon customer Cheri A., who liked it so much she purchased two, says, “[It’s] one of the best suits I have bought in a long time—very comfortable and flattering.”
7. Beach Riot Blaire Top & Highway Bikini Bottoms
On the flip side, this bikini with a bustier-styled top in a ribbed fabric will complement petite women with smaller chest. You’ll see more definition in your bust thanks to the thin underwire, and the tie-shoulder straps not only provide some pizazz but also afford a customizable fit. One customer says it’s a “Cute swim top, [and the] fabric feels sturdy and I love that the ties are adjustable. [It’s] definitely not meant for Olympic swimming, but [it’s] cute for a pool, beach or lake day.” The bottoms have a mid-waist fit and moderate coverage, so it’ll make for an ideal option on days you want to conceal your waist while still baring some midriff. Plus, the bottoms are made in the same comfortable, terry-cloth fabric as the top.
From $88 at Nordstrom for the Bottoms
8. Summersalt The Ruffle Backflip
Summersalt’s color-blocked one-piece swimsuit is not only cute to look at, but it’s extremely flattering, too. “I am petite, small-chested and short-waisted, and this suit makes me feel comfortable and sexy,” says Meghan H., a Summersalt customer. There’s a deep V-front that’ll help break up your figure and the most jaw-dropping open back.
9. Cupshe Twist Bra & Spliced Bikini Set
Here’s an affordable swimsuit that’s stylish, comfortable and versatile enough to take you from lounging poolside to swimming in the ocean. It has a twisted bra top that’s designed to flatter your boobs and highlight the smallest part of your waist, and the spliced high-waist bottoms won’t completely swallow your figure whole. One happy buyer writes, “I am skeptical about buying anything online since I am 5’ and roughly 150 pounds, not knowing if what I buy will ever fit, but with the measurements included in the sizing, I bought the XL and it fits perfectly! [It’s] super flattering and really good material.”
10. Old Navy Longline Bikini
Available in more than ten colorways, this affordable bikini from Old Navy features wide, comfortable shoulder straps that aren’t adjustable, though reviewers assure won’t dig in like slinky straps would, and a wide band under the bust, giving your tatas ample support without the discomfort of an underwire. “You would think the deep V-neck would be worrisome, but surprisingly the top provides enough coverage and support,” says Candelario. “It also has wide straps and removable pads for a comfy fit.” Speaking of comfort, you’ll be pleased to discover that the bottoms boast an elastic waistband, so you can bet these will adjust to your body throughout the day.
From $10 at Gap for Bikini Top
From $10 at Gap for Bikini Bottoms
11. Lands’ End SlenderSuit Skirted One-Piece Swimsuit
Whoever warns you to stay away from one-piece swimsuits hasn’t come across this skirted number from Lands’ End. With regular, long, plus, plus long and petite sizing, it’ll be a breeze to find a suitable (pun-intended) fit. “Lands’ End seems to be the only company that has petite bathing suits, and at reasonable prices,” writes one 5’3 reviewer. “The features I really like are the tummy control, the sewn-in cups [that don’t have] an underwire and the adjustable straps. Overall, it's a great-fitting and great-looking suit and would recommend it.” Back to that tummy control she mentions: This one-piece is made with the brand’s firming Slendertex fabric, which is designed to comfortably smooth and shape your silhouette like no other.
12. WeWoreWhat Balconette Top & Tie-Front Bikini Bottoms
My 5’2 petite sister raves about this bikini set from WeWoreWhat and every time she wears it on our family vacations, I can’t help but feel a pang of envy for a few reasons. One, it’s such a subtly sexy design that emphasizes all her features without erring on *too* revealing to wear in front of the parents. Also, did you know that the balconette top can be turned into a bandeau? (Yes, really.) Two, the tie-front bikini bottoms do wonders for her short legs. If I didn’t already know she was a short gal, they could fool me into thinking she had legs for days mainly because of the high-cut hips that feel like something out of a ‘90s movie. They’re a tad cheeky, too, so they show a good amount of bum while still providing moderate coverage.
13. Andie Swim Marine Layer 90s Bathing Suit
“These bottoms are amazing! They hold you in all the right places without feeling tight and the high cut elongates the legs,” says Andie Swim 5’4 buyer Lucia W., who finds the blend of recycled nylon and spandex to be soft and comfortable. It has a classic triangle bikini top with a clasp back closure, knotted front and removable soft cups that’ll provide light boob support (and make them look extra defined). What’s more, sizes XXL and XXXL in the black and white colorways are designed with wider and more supportive straps. The ‘90s-esque high-cut bottoms will make your legs look extra-long, too. Trust me: It’s one of those bikinis you’ll want to wear when tanning.
$56 at Andie Swim for the Bottoms
14. HUE Tie Back One-Piece Swimsuit
“Yes, the brand best known for their tights just joined the swimwear game and I'm really impressed,” Candelario tells me. She notes that the material is wonderfully stretchy without appearing sheer, so it can accommodate both small and large busts. She notes, “The material has a quilted texture, so I don’t have to worry about it being see-through. It’s not padded, but the high neckline allows for full coverage, so no slips here.” The shoulder straps pull through two loops in back, giving you the option to have them sit in a classic H shape or criss-cross in an X if you prefer.
15. Lilosy Crisscross Plunge One-Piece Swimsuit
Conroy tells me that belted styles like this plunge swimsuit are always a good idea for petites. The straps details are incredibly sexy and will cinch in your waist, creating a snatched hourglass silhouette. I’m a huge fan of the striking plunge neckline for petites because the vertical lines can totally elongate your frame, though you can play around with the straps and tie them into a halter, one-shoulder or cap sleeve, too. “I was unsure if this style would work since I'm not curvy and busty like most of the reviewers,” says a 5’2 Amazon buyer, “but this is the most amazing one-piece I've ever tried on.” While she continues to say that she loves the look of the strappy bikini, she does foresee it being a hassle to take on or off for bathroom breaks, especially when it’s wet.
What Should You Consider When Shopping for Petite Swimsuits?
Just because you’re petite doesn’t mean you should be restricted to a wimpy selection of bathing suit options. Good news: There are plenty of petite-friendly swimsuits to shop that are stylish, comfortable and oh-so flattering. Below, Conroy suggests a few factors you should consider before making a purchase.
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Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
