I stood in front of my closet last week trying to decide what to pack for the beach. If you have ever done that with swimwear, you know the drill: half your suits pull at the waist, the other half ride up the moment you sit down.
This summer I built a small rotation around three Summersalt pieces. All of them work for petite frames and postpartum bodies — no pinching, no adjusting every ten minutes. Here is what made the cut.
The Sidestroke
One-shoulder cut, solid or colorblock options. I went with the Lava & Hibiscus & White Sand colorway and it reads more polished than most one-suit designs. The compression feels supportive without squeezing, and the leg opening stays put when you move around. The asymmetric open back is the detail that sells it — looks good from every angle.
For reference, I am 5 ft, 110 lbs, wearing a size 2.
The Bow Shoulder Ruched Sidestroke
This one has a bow at the shoulder and enough structure that I would wear it as a top on regular days. Sewn-in cups give coverage, the ruching hugs in the right places, and the same open-back detail carries through. I picked up a floral print because sometimes swimwear should be a little fun.
The Ruffle Backflip
Deep V-neckline paired with an open back and a touch of ruffle. The coverage is slightly cheekier than the other two, but still secure. What I like most: the colorblock pattern sits right at the high waist and creates a leg-lengthening effect without any trickery.
The Deal
Summersalt is running 30% off swimwear and cover-ups with code SPF30. Worth checking if you need a suit that actually stays in place.
I have been a Summersalt fan for a while now. Their designs feel timeless enough to keep year after year, but never boring. If you want swimwear that is postpartum friendly and petite friendly without looking like it was designed only for one body type, these three are solid starting points.
A note from Lena: The right swimsuit makes the rest of a beach day easier. I still believe in buying fewer pieces that actually work.