Maternity Swimwear: Comfort and Style for Expecting Moms

Finding a swimsuit during pregnancy shouldn't mean choosing between comfort and style. The best maternity swimwear is built around the same design principles as any well-made suit — supportive structure, quality fabric, and a flattering fit — adapted specifically for a changing body. Here's what actually matters when shopping for maternity swim.

What Makes a Swimsuit "Maternity-Friendly"

Not every stretchy swimsuit works for pregnancy. Look for these specific design features:

• Ruching at the belly and sides — strategic gathered fabric that expands with a growing bump while adding shape rather than just excess material (Forbes Vetted on maternity swimwear).
• Wider, adjustable straps that redistribute weight across the shoulders and can be let out as needed through different trimesters.
• Stretch-recovery fabric — a high-quality blend (often recycled nylon or similar performance fabric) that expands with the body without losing shape or becoming sheer under stretch.
• A supportive built-in shelf bra or bust lining, since breast size and sensitivity commonly change throughout pregnancy.
• A longer torso panel so the suit doesn't ride up or feel restrictive as the midsection grows.

One-Piece vs. Two-Piece During Pregnancy

Both styles can work well — the right choice comes down to comfort preference and coverage needs:

• One-piece maternity suits offer built-in support and coverage across the belly, which many women prefer as pregnancy progresses. Skirted or wrap-style one-pieces add coverage through the hips and thighs without added bulk.
• Two-piece and tankini styles offer more temperature control and easier bathroom breaks, with high-waisted bottoms that sit comfortably under or over the belly depending on personal preference and trimester.

Fit Tips by Trimester

• First trimester — a regular suit in your normal size, or one size up, often still fits comfortably; look for stretch fabric that has room to grow.
• Second trimester — this is when most people transition to true maternity styles with ruching and adjustable straps, as the bump becomes more defined.
• Third trimester — prioritize wide straps, a longer torso panel, and full-coverage bottoms; comfort and support matter more than fit precision at this stage, since sizing continues to shift week to week.

Beyond Pregnancy: Choosing a Suit That Still Works Postpartum

Many maternity swimsuit features — ruching, wrap skirts, supportive linings, and higher coverage — are the same qualities that define modest and fully-there swimwear more broadly. A well-chosen maternity suit with a wrap skirt or ruched panel often remains comfortable and flattering through postpartum recovery, since the added coverage and stretch continue to work for a changing body after delivery too.

This is part of why coordinated modest and fully-there swim silhouettes — like the wrap-skirt one-pieces and rashguard sets in Shore and Skyline's AquaMARINE Dream collection — tend to double as comfortable maternity and postpartum options, even though they weren't marketed as maternity-specific.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear a regular modest swimsuit instead of a maternity-specific one? Yes, especially suits with ruching, wrap skirts, or stretch-recovery fabric — these design details naturally accommodate a growing belly, even on suits not labeled "maternity."

What swimsuit feature matters most in the third trimester? Wide, adjustable straps and a longer torso panel matter most, since they distribute weight comfortably and prevent the suit from riding up as the belly reaches its largest size.

Is it safe to swim throughout pregnancy? Swimming is generally considered a safe, low-impact activity throughout pregnancy for most people, but always confirm with your doctor based on your individual pregnancy and any complications.

Shop the Look

Browse ruched, wrap-skirt, and full-coverage swim styles that work through pregnancy and beyond in Shore and Skyline's swim collection.