As we finally start creeping into warmer weather, I can’t help but get excited about laying by the pool or hanging out on the beach! This time of year also gets me motivated to be on top of my game in the gym and nutritionally because of all the time I hope to spend in a bikini. Admittedly, as I’ve gotten older swimsuit shopping has become interesting. Sizing is weird, trends are more intimidating, and the price tags seem to to be higher with MUCH less material. So, I thought I would share some of my recent swimsuit favorites as we move towards summer!

Check out my top brand and store picks down below.

Zaful

I used to spend a ton of money on expensive bikinis. Honestly, I thought in order to get anything of quality that’s what I needed to do. But, spending $150 on a swimsuit was getting old, so I started looking at more affordable options. Zaful is one of the best, affordable options that I’ve come across! I got the idea from Heather, who lives in Florida and spends much more time in a bikini than I do because of the awesome weather. She had ordered a few suits from them and been really impressed, so I figured I would give it a chance too. Since then, I’ve ordered a handful of times from Zaful, and continue to be impressed myself!

I do have a few suggestions when it comes from ordering from this site. Priority #1 would be to always read the reviews and look at the pictures of real people wearing the suits! Don’t get fooled into thinking your buying a bikini that’s got a decent amount of coverage, only to be surprised/horrified when you open up a thong.

Here are a couple of pictures of me in some of my favorite Zaful bikinis!

Target

No surprises here, Target is great for a lot of affordable retail options. Their swimwear, however, has only gotten more and more impressive! They now have tops with bra sizing which is great for women who have a bigger chest and need real support. They also continue to have lots of coverage options which, for me, is a big deal! Another thing Target is really good at is that even though they offer great basic options, they are also usually very on trend. So, if you’re looking for something a little tinier or with a fun neon print, chances are Target’s got your back.

Just like any other online shopping, make sure you’re reading the reviews and looking at the real-life pictures. The great thing with Target, though, is you can also try on in store! Sometimes the different brand within Target fit differently, so it’s always nice to have the option to see them in person before purchasing.

Here is one of my recent favorites from Target!

Maaji

Maaji swim is more of a boutique and pricier option, but stay with me. My favorite part about most of Maaji’s swimsuits is that they are reversible! So, you might be paying $70 for a top or bottom but at least you’re getting multiple different ways to wear it. I have bought a handful of these bikinis on sale from Nordstrom Rack or on their website. I highly suggest taking a look at these if you’ve never seen them before! They’re super flattering for any woman who has a more athletic build.

For me, these swimsuits have always been true to size. Normally I’m a small/medium in tops and a medium in the bottoms. I’ve been lucky and never had an issue with sizing with these suits!

Here is how I’ve worn one of my Maaji swimsuits! I can flip the top and bottoms around to be a different pattern.

Abercrombie and Fitch

Last, but certainly not least, Abercrombie has made a huge comeback over the last couple of years! They’ve done so not only with their clothing, but with their swimsuits. My favorite swimsuit for the last year came from Abercrombie, and I will continue to purchase from them because of how great the quality is! Again, they have lots of options depending on the trend in coverage you’re looking for. I’m usually on the more conservative end of the spectrum these days, and they have some of the cutest suits I’ve found!

I typically buy both tops and bottoms in a medium from Abercrombie. Again, make sure to check the size chart and read the reviews if purchasing strictly online!

Here’s the A&F swimsuit that’s been my favorite!

Final Thoughts

I am so excited to get into the warmer weather and spending more time soaking up the sun (safely of course). As I’ve gotten older, swim suit shopping has gotten more stressful and annoying. If you’re running into the same type of feelings when bikini shopping, hopefully some of these suggestions make your search a little easier this year!

If you have any other swim favorite please leave those suggestions in the comments down below!