After a lifetime of being a teeny-tiny bikini gal, having a baby has ushered in my cool mom one-piece era. I spent months searching high and low for a sculpting swimsuit that didn’t look matronly or make me feel like a stuffed sausage, ultimately landing on J.Crew’s Lana sculpting swimsuit. I’ve been living in this comfortable and wildly flattering bathing suit since I first tried it out on a beach trip over a month ago, and right now, it’s available for just under $100.
This is the first season that J.Crew has marketed a line of sculpting swimwear, and the results are fabulous. I hemmed and hawed while trying to pick out a suit, but quickly landed on the Lana — the simple silhouette, deep neckline and barely-there straps keep things chic while enjoying a bit more coverage. (There are other maillot styles available, along with some cool separates and even a rashguard.)
I instantly gravitated to the timeless sophistication of the animal print pattern, but it’s also available in five other lovely, earthy hues in a classic and long torso silhouette in sizes 0-24. This sneakily stylish swimsuit includes adjustable straps that help customize the fit, while the subtle compression keeps my midsection smooth without suffocating me. I have worn it around town with these gauzy beach pants, sleek sandals and a big floppy hat and gotten tons of compliments.
