10 Best Mommy & Me Swimsuit Brands to Shop This Summer
Swimsuit shopping — everyone’s favorite thing! NOT. Trying on swimsuits is an exercise in self-confidence. It’s hard enough finding a suit that makes you feel good, let alone one that comes with a matching set for your mini.
I tested out a bunch of mommy & me outfits for a Woman’s Day article a few years ago. Since then, a handful of brands have reached out asking to be included. Inside info: As a freelancer, I’m not allowed to update that story. What I can do is let you know here which brands I’ve tested and loved.
Our favorite family matching swimwear brands are ahead — and I do mean “our.” My daughter, son, and husband have all gotten in on the testing for this article. And yes, we are the most adorable family at the local pool.
Quick note: These are not the only styles available at each retailer. Click the links to see more patterns and cuts!
For Fancies: Minnow
Woman-owned brand Minnow has a ton of great family matching collections with outfits for babies, girls, boys, women, and men. You can hit the beach in some truly cute suits, but it’ll cost you a pretty penny. Baby suits start at $48 and suits for mom hover around $180. If that’s worth it to you for a tailored suit you’ll actually want to wear, go for it.
My daughter and I tried the evergreen set (above) and this was one of her favorite suits: “Don’t you wish you had my ruffle suit?” Yes, yes I do.
Flattering Neutrals: Rylee + Cru
Women really know how to design suits for women, amirite? Rylee + Cru has some of the most flattering patterns for moms and kids, and they’re all in Millennial-pleasing neutrals. Think fat tan stripes, tiny florals, and calming blues. The only negative here is that there aren’t options for dads.
Reversible For the Win: Posh Peanut
I love Posh Peanut’s baby clothes, but I was skeptical about their reversible suits. Any product that does two things at once can’t be excel at either — looking at you, shampoo-conditioner. Plus, I hate bra pads (why are they never in the right place??) and the fact that this is reversible means you can’t take them out if you wanted to.
I’m pleased to report I was wrong! This suit is cute on both sides and either you or your daughter can flip it so you’re not matching. The bra pads were inoffensive and tended to stay put.
We liked this double-blue set, but they have a variety of fun patterns. Some sizes do tend to sell out quickly, so get ‘em while you can.
Daddy & Me: Kenny Flowers
Every time I get matching outfits for me and the kids, my husband pouts. He’s 80 percent joking, but that remaining 20 percent is legitimately sad to be left out.
That’s why I was stoked when Kenny Flowers offered to send a few pieces. These well-made shirts and boardshorts scream tropical vacation, and the whole family can get in on the action. (Though I did notice there’s no suit for moms?!)
My toddler son was beyond thrilled to match with Dad, and these clothes are sewn to last. This print is already sold out on a couple items, but there are a handful of others that are just as fun.
Preppy and Proud: Vineyard Vines
If my daughter were a swimsuit, she would be this ruffled tankini. She full-on squealed when I showed it to her, which made me happy that I went with the pink and not the blue version.
Lest you think mom suits are boring, let me assure you this suit was shockingly flattering. I don’t have push-up bras that make my boobs look as good as this swimsuit did. Vineyard Vines, I didn’t know you had it in you!
They also have a “Dad & Lad” collection, which made me chortle. We haven’t tried these but VV makes pretty reliable clothing if you want to check it out.
Affordable & Adorable: Hanna Andersson
Full disclosure: I haven’t shopped Hanna Andersson’s suits, but we have piles of their kids’ clothing and I am notably obsessed with their nightshirt.
That said, they have eight(!) swim collections for the whole family, including this floral print. You can get suits for everyone from baby to Dad in the same fabric, and there are even some fun additional items like a terry hoodie.
For the Poolside VIP: Lily Pulitzer
I was never preppy enough for Lilly Pulitzer in my youth, but that’s changed now that I have a 5-year-old who radiates sunshine. The brand has a lot of matching dresses, but you have to dig a bit for the suits. (Tip: Find a print that you like and pop it in the site’s search bar.)
This “Bluette Make Lemonade” print is all over the site right now. You can literally dress in this from head to toe with lemon dresses, flip-flops, shorts, tunics, rompers, pullovers, hats, and swimwear. The benefit of this mass production is that the suit comes in a few options: rashguard, two-piece, etc.
For Moms Who Know: Pink Chicken
I knew Pink Chicken was popular with a certain set when I saw it name-checked in an Emma Rosenblum book. I am left with no other choice to conclude that this is what wealthy tennis moms wear on their annual pilgrimage to Fire Island. (Side note: I had no clue straight people went to Fire Island.)
Anyway, Pink Chicken has Mommy & Me suits that are so unabashedly feminine that they apparently had no other choice but to make the Daddy & Me line aggressively male. All boys and men love golf, fish, and frogs, right?
One thing I do love about their girly collection is that there are plenty of patterns that coordinate. Mom can wear a two-piece with different fabric on the top and bottom, and her mini can wear something in the same color family so you don’t have to be too matchy-matchy.
To Last a Lifetime: Summersalt
You know how when you’re driving next to a car identical to your own, you give the driver a little nod? That’s what it’s like wearing Summersalt’s bestselling Sidestroke suit to the pool. It is so flattering and so well-made that it’s no wonder 20 percent of the moms at the pool are wearing it in various colors on any given day.
It tracks, then, that the brand’s family matching collection also rules. The bummer is that there are only two colorways: a navy collaboration with L.L. Bean and a bright floral collection. Still, if you want suits for the whole fam, it’s hard to beat the quality for the price.
Best on Amazon: RuffleButts
I don’t know if you can convince your husband to wear something by a brand called RuffleButts, but(t) perhaps you can sweeten the deal by letting him know the male version is actually RuggedButts and these family matching suits are some of the most affordable in the game.
The size of the collection and the number of prints available on Amazon is pretty insane. They all fit really well and you might even get two summers out of a particularly stretchy toddler suit.
Note: Babies, toddlers, and kids suits are all on Amazon, but you’ll have to go directly to the brand’s site for Mom and Dad.