Picky Tweens on Their Favorite Swimsuits (for Now)

Sizes: 2 to 14

For swimming indoors, especially in the winter in South Bend, Indiana, University of Notre Dame English professor Kate Marshall’s 9-year-old, Evie, likes Primary’s tank swimsuit. Marshall takes her kids to indoor swim lessons in the cold weather and says, “It helps to have a small, simple suit that’s easy to get on and off in the locker room and not be too clingy in the pool.”

Sizes: 9m/1.5 years to 9/11 years

Brooklyn-based Chloe, 12, recommends Mini Rodini’s swimsuits, which often have unique details, like a floral collar, and vintage-inspired cuts and prints. Her mom, photographer Cynthia Edorh, adds, “My daughter has worn these over the years. They have the best patterns and colors.”

Sizes: XS/6 to XXL/16

Talula, 10.5, based in the Bay Area, has grown into more streamlined styles in both cut and color. “I like this because it’s simple and has cool criss-cross straps in the back, which helps it stay in place,” she says. “I don’t want my suits to be too loose or they’ll fall down; if it’s too tight, it’s going to be hard to swim.” This suit is rated UPF 40-plus.

Sizes: Toddler (2y-6y), Girls (6y-14y), Women’s (0-12)

Talula also recommends this crinkled one-piece, which comes in three colors and in women’s and toddler sizes as well. “I have this in red, and I like how it’s not a pattern and the color is bold and bright,” she says. The fabric stretches to flexibly fit a wide range of body types and sizes (the girl’s size supposedly fits ages 6 to 14).

Sizes: 2 to 14

This crinkle style is recommended by Nell, who says it has “a satisfying stretch” (though it does not cover as extensive a size range as the Cadets one above). Note that there is no sun-protection rating listed for this suit.

Sizes: 92 (2Y) to 176 (16Y)

“I like this one because it has interesting details on the edges of the suit,” says Talula. The tween sizes of this suit also have straps that can be worn crossed in the back for a more secure fit. In addition to solid colors, the suit also comes in playful prints, likecitrusandseashell.

Sizes: 2 to 12

Evie likes the coordinated-but-not-matching rashguard sets from Hanna Anderson because the styles are “comfortable, sporty, and fun.” Marshall notes that the 9-year-old was explicitlynotdrawn to the ruffled briefs, which appealed more to her younger child. Her family spends many weeks in Vermont over the summer swimming in “cold mountain rivers, lakes, and also summer camp pools. The sun coverage is essential, and there can also be a lot of sitting around or outdoor play in the suit when not in the water.” She likes the sun cover this top provides, and says that her kids have “always worn long-sleeved swimsuits outside, so I don’t get a lot of pushback when I suggest the style.”

Sizes: 2-3y to 13-14y

Another long-sleeve style Marshall and her tween recommend is this one-piece suit from Boden because of its prints and patterns. “We both really liked ’Jungle Woodblock,’ and because she lived in London for a year, she likes the English aura,” Marshall says. “I think the patterns might be one way that she holds on to her childhood while she sees the teenage years looming.”

Sizes: XS/6 to XXL/16

Klein recommends Athleta’s long-sleeve style, even though her tween daughter is “pretty anti-rash guard at this point,” she says. “On a long beach vacation with serious sun exposure, she’ll do a cropped rash guard with bikini bottoms. This Athleta set works because it reads more ‘surfer girl.’”

Sizes: 2T to 16/18

“We’ve switched to dry-fit shirts for Lew because he doesn’t like the feel of heavy rash guards,” says Klein. “Lightweight and flexible — he doesn’t overheat, and he still gets sun protection.”

Sizes: 2T to 12

“For my younger daughter, Cece, who is 9, Quince has been fantastic for tankinis and more full-coverage options that still feel cute and modern rather than overly kiddie,” says Sebastian. They live five minutes from the beach in L.A., where “the ocean has been a substantial part of our family’s life for the last decade.”

Sizes: 18/24m to 16

My 10-year-old likes the sporty cuts and colorful prints from Seaesta’s collection and wore the brand’s one-piece styles when she was younger. I find that the fabric has a more substantial weight to it than that of most other brands, the fit stays in place well enough for her to jump off giant sand piles, and the colors pop so I can easily spot her across the beach.

Sizes: 2 to 14

“Nell pays attention to what’s trending,” says Klein, and this two-piece style from J.Crew is a current favorite of hers. “What I like about this one is that the coverage is genuinely good. She’s still body surfing, digging holes, playing in the waves. Her suit has to hold up to real play.” Edorh’s daughter Chloe also recommends this style, which she has in a sold-out polka-dot ruffle style. “The straps are sturdy and the fabric is great quality. It’s perfect for the beach,” she says. Note that there is no sun-protection rating listed for this suit.

Sizes: Vary

“Nell is done with anything that feels babyish but still loves bright color and print. We’ve moved firmly into bikini territory, which means the hunt for patterns that feel more teen than toddler is real,” says Klein. “Vintage is our answer. The prints are genuinely fun and you’re not going to show up at the beach in the same suit as three other kids.” Etsy offers a wide range of vintage styles, often sold in lots. As with all vintage, it’s helpful to confirm measurements and read details about any potential wear. Note that you’re unlikely to find sun protection listed for these suits.

Sizes: 12Y to 16Y

“My oldest, Cami, 13, loves the teen line from Rylee + Cru,” says Sebastian. “It feels age-appropriate while still having enough personality and style that she actually gets excited to wear them — which, as any parent of a tween/teen girl knows, is half the battle. I think she also likes that the brand doesn’t scream ‘little-kid swimsuit’ but also doesn’t veer into the hypertrendy or skimpy adult territory that can sometimes feel a little too intense for middle school.”

Sizes: XS (5-6) to XL (14)

Hugh also recommends these shorts, which aren’t specifically swim trunks, but are fast-drying and lightweight and can double as waterwear. “He doesn’t like anything too tight or too baggy,” says Madewell. “They’re functional, reasonably durable — I just want it to last till he outgrows it — and offer solid sun protection.” This style comes in a wide array of solid colors and four-, five-, and seven-inch inseam lengths. Patagonia does not list a sun-protection rating for these.

Sizes: 4T to 14Y

Trolio, who has two girls, ages 8 and 11, recommends these unlined shorts: “They’re a nice option to pull over a tighter suit — especially if girls want more coverage for extra sun protection or for activities like paddleboarding — or of course for wearing around for mixed-activity days that might involve a dip or getting wet.”

Sizes: 3T to 10Y

Libré’s younger son, James, 9, “will happily wear the bathing suits I get him,” she says, “so he will be wearing our new Lewis swim trunks plusrashguardsthis summer.” Lewis’s trunks and rashguards, which go up to 10Y, are also favorites in our house. The prints are playful yet sophisticated, and the bright chartreuse salmon print helps me find my son anywhere on the pool deck.

“We’ve had this Emily Levine kids’ check hat for five years,” says Klein. This crochet style is made by artisans in Gujarat, India. “It packs flat, holds up, and Nell will actually wear it,” says Klein. Emily Levine also makes this signature style of hat in a range ofother colors and patterns.

“Hugh clocked that he could get away with fewer face-sunscreen-application moments while wearing a hat, which made him a hat convert,” says Madwell. “This was originally bought to wear on the beach and in the water (the adjustable chin strap is key, because otherwise it would blow right off in breezy conditions), but he also wears it out and about and to summer camp.”

“We’ve been buying these Hat Depot hats for Lew since he was little,” says Klein. “They come in every color, actually fit kids’ head sizes, and are in nearly every beach photo we have.”

My kids are longtime fans of Rad River Company’s nylon five-panel hats, which also come in adult sizes. They like the minimal pattern, and the nylon dries quickly even if you wear the hat in the sprinkler or on wet hair. The colors stay true even after many hours in the sun, and they’re lightweight and breathable.

Trolio recommends this minimal and neutral sun hat. “The adjustment is above the brim, which is not as secure as the styles with a chin strap but does not read as young as many styles with a chin strap,” she says.

Marshall recommends these Turkish towels, available in dozens of designs and made of organic cotton, which dry fast and “pack up lightly.” They can double as picnic blankets and are easy to stuff in a backpack, making them ideal for the beach, the park, or summer camp.

“This has lasted through so many years of hard wear. It’s a great cozy layer to throw on after getting out of the water,” says Madewell. Strategist editor Winnie Yang also likes this wearable towel made of plush cotton jacquard and notes that it makes a great gift.

My 10-year-old loves this slightly oversize terry checked cover-up dress that gives sun cover and warmth but feels more like a dress and less like a wearable towel. The cinched waist gives it a more stylish shape, while the cut is relaxed and comfortable.

“At the lake, we all wear and love Keens. If we are wild swimming somewhere with a rough or rocky bottom, especially for river and creek swimming or pebbly lake shores, Hugh keeps them on in the water — and I keep mine, on, too,” says Madewell. “They stay on really well even in the waves, feel secure on the rocks, don’t trap too much detritus, and dry out in the sun reasonably quickly.”

“At the pool, Hugh’s a fan of the Hoka slide — the version with no logo,” says Madewell. “They are so extremely soft and squishy — like walking on mattresses,” says Hugh. “Stylewise, he’s appreciated that he can get them in plain, vibrant colors,” adds Madewell.

“Crocs win every time. Easy to rinse, waterproof, and they go right in the water. We’ve fully accepted them as a family,” says Klein. “They arethego-to beach shoe,” says Temple, and there are ample colors to choose from, along with decorativeJibbitz.

These Tevas have a thick lug sole that provides traction. “These work really well if there are tidepools or if there’s any rocky-ocean-floor exploring involved,” says Temple. The velcro straps keep the sandals secure even in deeper water.

My own kids are fans of these pillowy slides, which are easy to take on and off, are lightweight, and offer a punch of color without any overt branding.