Queer femme wearing dark shades and a black one-piece bathing suit from H&M reclines in the pool on a rainbow-colored inntertube.
Hey there, friends! Wishing a Happy Pride Month to the community who invented Hot Queer Summer. As an uber-femme, uber-queer womxn who is new to summers in Southwest Florida, I’ve been on a six-month hunt for bikinis that work with and worship my body type. I’ve also posted bikini photos on the socials, where so many folks messaged me to ask where I acquired said bikinis that I thought I’d offer a quick breakdown for you here in the SUSTAIN issue of my number one queer fashion magazine of choice.
For reference, I wear a size 10-12 in clothing, and my bra/bikini size is a gorgeous-but-inconvenient 36G. Some background: an employee at Nordstrom’s once broke down in tears while measuring me, repeatedly telling me not to panic over my extremely large breasts, as though I hadn’t noticed them until she came along to warn me. And due to my size (considered “plus”) and the fact that I thrive with a physical disability, plenty of people have called me “brave” when I post bikini photos (do they know, I wonder, that my queer, disabled, big-titted body is perfect?).
So, to save you the hysterical measurers, the side-eyeing assholes, the pavement pounding, and the potential COVID risks, I share with you the spoils of my searches. I hope you find this helpful! And please, if you have information about a brand you love that isn’t featured here, reach out through Instagram (@piperjdaniels).
A queer femme with pink reflective sunglasses and long dark hair holds a cup of coffee as she stands in the pool, wearing a chartreuse sports bra from Shefit with rainbow bikini bottoms.
Everything but Water - Swimsuits here can be extremely expensive, and it’s difficult to find anything over a size 10. If you can find a larger size, the suits are of a beautiful quality, but the bikini tops might not be appropriate for high-impact activities like ocean surfing or lap swimming. (I learned the hard way so you don’t have to.)
GenderbenderLLC - Offers cute compression tops, swim tanks with built-in binders (for comfort and safety), nipple cover pasties, a variety of tucking and packing bottoms, and correct pronoun masks, in sizes XS to 4XL.
H&M - Generally a good, size-inclusive, and reasonably priced selection of swimwear, as well as active wear that can double as swimwear. This might be a good place to experiment with different styles, see what works best on you, and then go forth in search of slightly more durable (and ethical) options.
Monif C - Black-owned company Monif C has been making swimsuits for “plus-size body shapes” for over ten years, with colors that “complement and accentuate deeper fleshtones.”
SheFit - Technically, SheFit is a sports bra company that promises “3x the Support,” and I am here to tell you, they’re not messing around. If you’re planning on having an active afternoon, or if you’re hoping to maintain a modicum of modesty, I’d suggest purchasing a SheFit bra, and pairing it with bikini bottoms from another retailer. The tan lines are a little intense, but if it’s my tits against the ocean, I’d go with SheFit every time.
Torrid - The hands down, number one choice for me and all the voluptuous folks I know. I almost missed out on my Torrid bikini, the one everyone compliments me on and asks about, because of sticker shock—I didn’t want to pay just over eighty dollars for a swimsuit. Luckily, my shopping companion talked me into the purchase, and I’m so glad they did. The bikinis at Torrid are amazing—there are so many fun prints and colors, with myriad styles and inclusive sizes—but most importantly, they hold everything firmly in place. If you buy one swimsuit this summer, invest in one from Torrid. If the thought of going into the store to get measured freaks you out, I would highly recommend taking your own extremely careful measurements for maximum fit and satisfaction (even if you buy clothes regularly from the store).
Additional Resources:
For inspiration:
Check out #MySwimBody on Instagram. It’s predominantly white and AFAB, but there are a variety of body shapes and swimsuits on display.
For additional Black-owned swimsuit companies:
For more options regarding size-inclusive swimwear:
For safe and carefree swimming:
Check into spaces and events that are size and queer-inclusive.
Per their website, “ChunkyDunks are an annual summer series of fat liberation and body positive group swims. Starting in Portland, Oregon in 2005, the dunks have a long and joyful history . . . Organizers rent public pools and offer up a focused and intentional space where all bodies are respected.”
