Top pick
This textured suit comes in just two sizes but — remarkably — expands to fit a wide range of bodies (from US 2 to 24). It’s made from an impressively stretchy, comfortable crinkle material that gently hugs your shape, though it doesn’t offer much compression.
Bodies come in infinite shapes and sizes; the Youswim Aplomb One-Piece comes in just two. But here’s the amazing thing: This super-stretchy “popcorn” suit — made from a cushy, crinkly fabric with a remarkable capacity to expand in every direction — actually does fit a wide array of people. Plus, it feels decadently comfortable and has a timeless, unfussy design. The brand also has one-pieces and bikinis in a variety of other cuts made from the same fabric.
It’s on-trend. Popcorn swimsuits have gotten trendy in recent years, but they’ve actually been around since the early ’90s, when they were popularized by the brand Hunza (now Hunza G). We tested a popcorn suit from that brand, as well, but we appreciate Youswim’s more accessible pricing and sizing.
There are only two (inclusive) sizes to choose from. The Aplomb comes in Stretch I, which is designed to fit US sizes 2 to 12 and cup sizes A to G, and Stretch II, which is designed for US sizes 14 to 24 and cup sizes up to J. The far pricier Hunza G Pamela suit, which we also tested and liked, comes in one size only, to fit US sizes 2 to 12.
The crinkle material stretches to fit you. “Normally, I side-eye these one-size-fits-all options, but it really does fit,” remarked one tester, who wore the Aplomb in Stretch II (5-foot-5, size 18). Three other panelists, ranging in height from 5-foot-6 to 6-foot-0, wore the suit in Stretch I; miraculously, the length worked for everyone, though our tallest tester would’ve preferred it a tad longer.
The secret to the flexible fit is Youswim’s crinkle-textured Versoform material, an ultra-elastic, Oeko-Tex–certified blend of nylon and elastane. It’s especially great if you’re looking for a suit that can accommodate a changing body. (Think pregnancy, postpartum, or monthly fluctuations.)
We worried that the material would lose its magic after a few wears, but so far our suits have held up well. One Wirecutter staffer, who owns the Aplomb suit, reported that after a season of occasional ocean and pool swimming, “the fabric hasn’t pilled or stretched out, and the stitching remains strong.” (She noted that she has followed the company’s care instructions.)
It’s the comfiest swimsuit we tried. The first thing I noticed upon donning the Aplomb suit was how remarkably good it felt. The fabric has a spongy quality that’s delightfully tactile; it’s like being wrapped in a cushiony hug. I expected it to feel soggy when wet, but in fact I barely noticed a difference.
This suit is not compressive, and its smooth, featureless interior is devoid of any construction (such as a shelf bra or cups) that would provide shaping or lifting. Our 36A, dress size 6 tester complained that the Aplomb was too freeform — “This suit really lets it all hang out” — but for me (34D, dress size 6), the bust support felt just fine, and the suit stayed firmly put in and out of the water. And our 42DD, dress size 18 tester remarked, “For being so comfortable, the suit does a pretty good job of basic support for the chest and rest of the body.”
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- The material isn’t especially compressive, so this suit won’t deliver the feeling of being “held in,” and it doesn’t have a shelf bra or cups to provide any support.
- Although the Aplomb comes in 10 solid colors, we didn’t find many of the shades all that appealing.
Key specs
- Sizes: Stretch I (fits US 2 to 12, cup sizes A to G); Stretch II (fits US 14 to 24, cup sizes up to J)
- Material: 88% nylon, 12% elastane
- Colors: 10
- Construction: unlined, unpadded
