Best one-piece swimsuits

Think Bond Girl, not Pool Mom

Forget the tankini or those skirted suit bottoms moms are always wearing. The most chic choice for a hot mama at the beach or pool is a one-piece swimsuit. A one-piece works on bodies curvy or straight, slender or voluptuous. Swap out your swim dress for a maillot and evoke instant glamour! One-pieces are practical for running after kids and are still a youthful look. They are more conducive to actual swimming — not to mention boogie-boarding and body surfing — than skimpy bikinis or floppy-in-the-water tankinis. A one-piece is a stylish suit that is always a classic. Here are four fabulous one-piece swimsuit looks to try this summer.

Black and White

Black and white suits are everywhere, and they are a slenderizing choice. Use black and white colorblocking to strategically highlight with white and minimize with black. Do not be afraid of stripes! Stripes at the smallest part of your waist are crazy flattering. Stripes with overlapping panels, chevrons and zigzags and achieve the opposite effect of those dreaded horizontals.

1. Double Strap Virginia by River Island at asos 2. Diva Dream Bandeau Stripe at South Beach Swimsuits 3. Bandeau Maillot by Badgley Mischka at Nordstrom 4. Let’s Bond by La Blanca at Zappos

Solid Plunge Front

Go ahead, highlight your cleavage. Seriously. Save the modesty for church. A V-neck, dramatic front is actually more flattering to the bust than a high neck, and this cut is forgiving if you have a bit of a belly. Keeping your plunge front suit in a solid color will keep it classy.

1. Bayside by Splendid at Zappos 2. Plunge Halter by Vitamin A at Everything But Water 3. Shoulder Maillot by Vince Camuto 4. Weekender by Zinke at Piperlime

Modern Botanical

These ain’t your grandma’s floral swimsuits! If you choose a light-colored botanical with modern flair, no one will mistake you for an attendee of water aerobics. Stay away from navy, purple and black backgrounds and seek out interesting details and low backs.

1. Touche Evanthe Maillot at anthropologie 2. Modern Garden Cross Back at Trina Turk 3. Ruched Asymmetrical at Garnet Hill 4. Under the Sun Bandeau by Maaji at South Moon Under

Awesomely ’80s-Inspired

There is a reason those Amazonian supermodels of the late ’80s were always rocking a one-piece: this suit style is so flattering on an hour-glass or athletic figure. Pick out a bright color or an Aztec-influenced pattern for a look that is vintage cool. Mesh inserts or Bodyglove-zippers are fun also fit the vibe.

1. Jade purple suit by Luz at The Cools 2. Malibu fluorescent yellow suit at American Apparel 3. Mayan one-piece lingerie strap tank by Becca by Rebecca Virtue at Everything But Water 4. Pro Mesh Racerback Maillot by Juicy Couture

Which one-piece swimsuit look is your favorite?

Meet the Author | Jessica McFadden

Jessica McFadden (@JessicaMcFadd) is a mom-blogging, freelance-writing, bass-cranking-in-the-minivan mother of three. She writes the award-winning local website A Parent in Silver Spring for parents in the DC area, as well as the lifestyle blog A Parent in America. Jessica has been called a mom blog must-read and featured in media such as CNN and Forbes. Her blog is also a top resource for Washington, DC area parents. Jessica has contributed to The Washington Post, Nickelodeon, TLC and elsewhere. She is also a prolific vlogger at her YouTube channel and also hosts Real Life Style with Jessica McFadden on MomTV. But her favorite gig is being a mom to Charlie, Eve and Alice.

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