Best Swimsuits for Women with Long Torsos: Avoiding Uncomfortable Fits

If you have a long torso, it’s easy to find swimsuits that fit comfortably if you know how to shop. There are one-piece and two-piece bathing suits in many styles. Whether your beach-day style is bold or modest, there’s a swimsuit and cover-up to fit your body shape. Keep reading for swimwear shopping tips for women with long torsos:

Finding the Right Size for Your Body

Sizing is crucial for a comfortable swimsuit fit, whether your torso is long, short, or in between. Before swimsuit shopping, take your measurements at the bust, waist, and hips. When choosing swimwear online, compare your measurements to the size chart on the page. Most women’s swimsuits are true-to-size. However, there may be times when swimwear runs small or large, or you fall between sizes.

In that case, you’re likely best to size up. Swimsuits are made from either polyester or nylon with a hint of spandex to provide freedom of movement. It’s better to have swimwear that’s slightly too large than too small for comfort if you’re torn between two sizes. The combination of polyester and spandex creates a fabric that hugs the figure without a constricting feel. For maximum wear, choose a swimsuit made with Lycra® XtraLife™ for 10 times the wear of regular spandex.

One-Piece Swimsuits for Long Torsos

As discussed above, the most important thing when outfitting a long torso is sizing. From there, you can choose a swimwear style that fits your aesthetic preferences. The one-piece bathing suit is a summer classic that comes in many flattering styles for every body. One type that looks elegant on every body type and comes in sizes for women with long torsos is the Grecian SlenderSuit.

Lands' End briefly discontinued the Grecian suit, but customer demand brought it back for good. Control fabric creates a streamlined look while strategic shirring conceals the midsection and may provide the appearance of a shorter torso if that’s what you’re going for. The semi-V neckline and wide straps are designed to be comfortable and stylish for all sizes from petite to plus.

Another one-piece swimsuit style recommended for long torsos is the blouson. Although this bathing suit is one piece, it almost appears to be two. The top is a billowy tank blouse that provides modesty and coverage for the midsection, while the bottom is low-cut traditional swimsuit bottoms. You can also find this style as a tankini, which brings us to our next section—two-piece swimsuits for women with long torsos.

Two-Piece Swimsuits for Long Torsos

Bikinis and tankinis are two options when choosing a two-piece swimsuit. For long torsos, traditional women’s bikini tops may highlight this area of your body. If you want to accentuate the length of your upper body and boost your bust, consider an underwire bikini top in a shirred twist design. There are triangle-halter bikini tops that accentuate curves and midkini styles with flouncy detailing.

Then there’s the tankini. We love tankini swimsuits because of the fashion versatility they provide, plus they have the modest coverage of a one-piece bathing suit. While a midkini reaches halfway down the waistline, a tankini reaches all the way to your swimsuit bottoms for full coverage. A print tankini with swim shorts or high-waisted bottoms can help create the illusion of a short torso, while a solid color can accentuate the length.

At Lands’ End, we believe the best beach body is the one you already have. All these swimsuit styles are suitable for women with long torsos, as what really matters is fit, comfort, and which style you like best. Depending on your height, you may want to choose a Tall size swimsuit. This brings us back to our mention of the size chart—compare yours with your other measurements, unsure whether or not you fit into the Tall size category.

Comfortable Swimsuit Cover-Ups

In addition to the right long torso swimsuits for summer, it’s imperative to choose a beach cover-up that fits your body. There are cover-up dresses that look like regular summer dresses, so you can wear them with sandals to a beachfront restaurant or pool concession stand. They come in long and mid-length styles, some with notch necks and high necks for a stylish look. Rash guards for women and shorts and skirts provide UPF 50 protection against UV rays and dry quickly. Rash guard hoodies are great for maximum coverage, although you’ll still need to wear sunscreen no matter what kind of cover-up you choose.

Completing Your Swimwear Look

Once you’ve chosen your long-torso bathing suit and swimsuit cover-up, it’s time to accessorize. A tote bag filled with beach towels, sunscreen, and other summer essentials is a must-have. When it comes to shoes, wedge sandals are stylish for beach cafes while water shoes and flip-flops are perfect for the beach, pool, or locker room shower.