I Tried All the High-Waisted Two-Pieces at Torrid
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I wore one-piece suits for most of my life as a plus-size woman, but a few years ago I discovered high-waisted bikinis, which changed my perspective on swimwear. My go-to for a few summers has been ahot-pink bikini from Torridwith a supportive and uplifting top and high-waisted bottom, and when it came time to replace it, I ventured to a Torrid in a mall in Montebello here in Southern California and tried on every single style of bathing suit marked “high-waisted” that was there, then ordered as many more online as I could to try them all.
I tried a mix of eight high-waisted bottoms and eight tops with varying degrees of support (and length) and found that nearly every one ran true to size, sat comfortably without falling down or riding up, and didn’t feel like sausage casing. All come in sizes 00 (traditional medium or size 10) to 6X (size 30) and are easy to mix and match. Here’s the full rundown of my swimsuit try-on.
The ones I liked best
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Supportive and comfortable, looks great in or out of the pool.
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Not my favorites
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This was the only option that claimed to have “slim-fit technology,” and when I tried it in person at the mall, it felt a little too snug at my usual size 2. The size 3 I ordered online was a little baggy in the bottom (I have quite a flat ass), but it wasn’t noticeable, yet still held me in and could be worn even higher-waisted. These “ultra high-rise” bottoms hit about seven inches above my belly button and paired well with more bralike tops, showing only a few inches of midriff that way. I usually go for a longline bikini, but a higher-waisted bottom made that unnecessary. Of the five patterns available, the Multi Leaves Floral Blue is my favorite (and can be paired with the matchingFlutter Sleeve Wrap Topor theWireless Flounce Bikini, below).
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Like Fergie, this top isflouncy flouncy, and the fabric lightly blowing in the wind just feels like summer. The top is wire-free yet supportive, with a scoop neckline that makes my chest look good without being too revealing. The only problem I had was that the cups weren’t sewn in and needed to be adjusted and unfolded for both coverage and comfort. The top comes in three patterns and colors, and matches theUltra High-Rise Ruched Swim Bottomabove.
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The elastic seems to be slightly tighter or else there’s a narrower waistband in this version of the ruched bottoms. That caused a slight overhang of my tummy, but because of the stretchy fabric, it feels like after a few wears these bottoms would become as comfortable as the others. On the flip side, it felt more secure because it was not moving from where it hit me about five inches above my belly button.
The top was not my favorite. It was very supportive, and the underwire created great cleavage, but the narrow band accentuated sideboob and did not lie flat across my back. Instead, when I moved it shifted up and down — luckily the two-inch adjustable clasp was sturdy so it didn’t pop open. I prefer a longer-line bikini top for coverage, as I have a long torso. The aquamarine Blue Sea Swim colorway I tried is stunning, but both of these pieces also come in a fun orange hue.
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No matter how tight I tied the strings, this triangle top was no match for my 44DDDs. It simply wouldn’t stay up in a way that didn’t feel dangerous for jumping into a pool. If you aren’t busty, this one would work for you.
The ones I’m taking to the pool
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I tried these bottoms in a few different colors and patterns (all in size 2, true to an 18/20 sizing), and they made me reconsider ruching, which has often felt matronly. The ruching on these bottoms is along the side panels and cinches things to a nice silhouette that is slightly slimming and smoothing. The rise hit about five inches above my belly button and stayed up even when I jumped around to test the elastic. The bottoms are full coverage without feeling like granny panties and pair well with different coordinating tops. They come in ten different colors and patterns. I’m wearing the Elise Ditsy Red with theWireless Flutter Sleeve Bikini Top(more below).
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Torrid Ruffle Cheeky Swim Bottom
As a fruit-print obsessive, the Georgia Peaches print of these bottoms caught my eye immediately, and I also like the flair the ruffles add. While the matchingruffle-string topdid not work for my chest, these fit like a glove with no bulging, drooping, or awkward tight elastic that causes overflow at the waistline. They were not cheeky on me — because I don’t have much of a butt — and sat comfortably about five inches above my belly button. They stayed put when moving and grooving and are coming to the pool with me ASAP.
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When I tried suits on in the store, this was the first one that caught my eye on the rack and became my favorite in the dressing room. The blue-and-black stripe (called Deep Black) is a fabulous combination of color and comfort. It sat a bit lower than the other high-waisted suits (about four inches above my belly button) and stayed put without rolling down or digging in.
I really like the matching longline top, too — with its underwire, it felt like a comfortable corset. The adjustable back strap and four different clasp-sizing options made it easy to find an ideal fit that kept my breasts lifted. The boning gives it a bustier silhouette, and sewn-in padding makes it easy to wear and wash. The shoulder straps are also adjustable to get even more lift.
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No ruffles, no frills, just a nice, high-waisted swim bottom. I tried it in Deep Black, which was slimming, and loved the subtle ruching on the sides and full coverage. It also comes in a dreamy seascape pattern.
While I’d pair these bottoms with any fun top, here (and also elsewhere on this page) I’m wearing them with theWireless Flutter Sleeve Bikini. With its cap sleeves, this could be used as a top all summer — in or out of the pool. It lifted my breasts, even without an underwire, which made it incredibly comfortable. Unfortunately, the center bow was not sewn on well and fell off, but I like how the top looks without it. The pads are sewn in so they won’t get all annoyingly tangled up or when putting it on. Having it in black makes it easy to swap in different fun bottoms for endless swim combinations.
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The texture and variance of the color (Violet Storm, a gorgeous blue-purple with floral pattern) caught my attention. The waistband sat about five inches above my belly button and felt slightly softer than those of some of the other suits while also not falling down, not digging into my skin, and not making anything bulge or spill out. This will be in heavy rotation this summer. It also comes in black and has a matching top, theTwist-Front Tankini, which I did not get to try.
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