Putting on a swimsuit used to give me a sense of dread until I found the ones that I feel truly comfortable wearing. Case in point: This best-selling $40 one-piece bathing suit from Tempt Me. As a fiber scientist, I put it to the test in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, evaluating its colorfastness and how well it washes. But since the suit is available from X-Small–26, I also enlisted 10 testers with different body types to try it on and see how it fit on various shapes and sizes. After trying it myself and putting it through the wringer in-Lab, I can confidently say this style definitely lives up to its hype.

Pros

  • Flattering ruching on the tummy
  • Supportive top with removable cups
  • Unbeatable price

Cons

  • Some testers found that it didn't hold up well to years of wear
  • Limited color options for Plus sizes
SizesXXS–26 Plus
Colors21

It’s universally flattering.

Every single tester rated it flattering in our test. There’s ruching along the midsection that they swore made their tummies look flatter. Some testers also said it made their waists look narrower. One even commented that the smoothing mesh panels in the back prevented spillage that normally creates "back fat" in other swimsuits.

The bathing suit comes in sizes XS–XL and 14–26 Plus, and it’s also available in 21 different colors and prints on Amazon, and 49 colors and prints on the Tempt Me site.

Clothing, One-piece swimsuit, Swimwear, Monokini, Maillot, Aqua, Shoulder, Leotard, Neck, Joint,
Landon Phillips

It’s supportive for most bust sizes.

The suit is designed with removable cups that most women loved, especially nursing (and formerly nursing) moms who felt like they needed something extra in the bust. As an added bonus, the cups also provided great shaping. On top that that, the clasp in the back offered additional lift so our testers didn’t have to worry about popping out of low-cut suits or flimsy tops.

The style is on-trend.

Though many testers at first said the suit was not a style they would have normally chosen, they couldn’t stop talking about it after they tried it on. Our testers loved the attention to detail, specifically calling out the high neckline, mesh-covered V-neck, and knot detail in the front. It shows skin, but in a tasteful way that testers ranging from 20s through 50s all said felt age-appropriate, though some testers said they were a bit worried about tan lines from this style. Personally, I would have preferred a higher-cut leg for a cheekier look as this suit has more coverage than I typically wear.

You don’t have to sacrifice comfort.

You read that right—this swimsuit actually feels good on. Our entire testing panel gave it high scores for comfort. They especially loved the smoothness of the nylon/spandex fabric, plus there’s no pesky straps that fall down or dig into you: One tester commented, "I really liked the high neckline and the clasp in the back. I felt comfortable knowing I was all tucked in." A couple of testers said they thought the clasp was difficult to hook, but most found it easy to put on and take off.

I could comfortably move around in this suit with no restriction. It was great to wear when kayaking and paddle boarding too. I would definitely wear this suit again on a beach day when I plan to be active and I want my suit to stay put while also looking good.

It’s easy to wash, but isn’t the most long-lasting.

No special care needed: You can clean this bathing suit right in the washing machine. After we washed it five times in the Lab, there were still no signs of wear. We also tested the colorfastness, and the dye didn't bleed at all onto other fabrics like cotton, nylon, or polyester in the wash. That means you can safely mix it with other garments in the laundry, and the vibrancy of the suit won't fade from repeated washing.

I would recommend hand washing and air drying (avoid direct sunlight) this suit to help keep it in great condition longer term. A few testers reported durability concerns, noting some loose threads and ill-fitting spots after extensive wear.

The bottom line: If you've struggled to find a swimsuit that's both flattering and affordable, this is the one for you. The tan lines might be a little wonky, but the majority of testers across ages and sizes loved this suit, found it flattering, comfortable, and on-trend, and it proved to be durable in Lab tests.