Best Unique Places to Find Swimwear

Photo by Elizabeth Scinta for The Campus Trainer

Spring break is right around the corner, which means the hunt for new swimwear has begun. Being a college student, budgets can be tight, so here are some affordable stores where you can buy cute swimwear for your sunny vacation.

Shein

Shein is an online store that has recently blown up among college students because of how affordable their apparel is. Shein typically has free shipping and offers discounts daily. However, most Shein swimsuits are sold in sets, so you won’t be able to choose a size for the top and bottom separately. The price range for their swimsuits ranges from $4 to $34.

“Expensive bathing suits aren’t worth it [to me]. I always end up ruining or growing out of them, so I figured $60 for one bikini set was ridiculous. Most of the Shein bathing suits are under $20,” Ellie Isleib, a sophomore special education major, said.

Isleib recommends looking at the individual reviews under each swimsuit if there are any available. Previous customers will sometimes include pictures with their reviews, which can give you an idea of what the swimsuit looks like on.

Zaful

Zaful is an online store whose “affordable collections are all about redefining trends, design excellence and exceptional quality to satisfy the needs of every aspiring fashionista,” according to their website. Like Shein, Zaful sells their swimsuits in sets, meaning you pick one size for the whole bikini.

They offer one-pieces, bikinis, tankinis and plus-size swimwear — a wide variety for anyone who is looking. Their prices range from $4.99 to $24.49.

“I really liked the products I received from Zaful, but it did take a longer time to ship them to me than when I ordered from Target, so it wasn’t ideal for quick last-minute online shopping. I think Zaful is great because of the price of the bathing suits, but they still don’t look cheap,” said Maya Stanislawski, a senior criminology pre-law major.

Zaful offers 15% off for new members if you give them your email the first time you buy anything. They also offer a free student membership program where you can get an extra 6% off and extra discounts during promotions three times a month.

Photo by by Margot Pandone on Unsplash

Frankie’s Bikinis

Frankie’s Bikinis, an online store, features hundreds of bikinis in a variety of styles. At the top of the webpage, it allows you to pick the coverage and the style you want, which makes it a lot easier to navigate the site to find a bikini for you.

Frankie’s Bikinis is “known for luxurious fabrics, fashion-forward shapes, and cheeky bottoms,” according to their website. The bathing suits range from $65 to $190, which makes it the most expensive option listed here; the more expensive swimsuits are the one-pieces.

“They’re really good quality and it’s a good place to support. The woman who started it is really young and created the company by herself. She designs the bikinis and models them herself. I’d support any woman entrepreneur,” said Erika Waterhouse, a sophomore letters and sciences major.

Waterhouse said the suits are expensive so she doesn’t purchase them often anymore.

“They keep coming out with new styles, which always tempts me because they’re all so cute,” Waterhouse said.

Target

Target is great because you can try the bathing suits on before purchasing them if you choose to shop in-store. There are three Targets within two miles of the University of Maryland, one of which is located directly on Route 1 across from the South Campus entry to campus. Prices for bathing suits range from $14.99 to $69.99. Target offers a variety of styles to choose from, including bikinis, one-pieces, active swimsuits, tankinis and plus-size.

“They definitely have good quality for the price. I have some from Zaful that were cheap, but they broke after one wear while the target ones last a long time,” said Mackenzie Martin, a sophomore psychology major.

If you’re looking for the option to buy in-store, Target is your affordable, accessible option in College Park.

Missguided

Missguided, an online clothing store, has lots of swimsuit options available. Ranging in price from $5 to $76, it has a variety of options for every woman. They have a 55% off student discount, which is perfect for purchasing some new swimsuits that won’t break the bank. Missguided also has an assortment of daily sales, so make sure to check back frequently for the best deal.

Unlike Shein and Zaful, Missguided swimsuit pieces can be bought separately, ensuring you’ll get the best fit. With 750 different options of bandage bikinis, bandeau bikinis, triangle bikinis, high waisted bikinis, crochet bikinis and one-piece suits, there’s a choice available for everyone.

Aerie

Aerie, a sub-brand owned by American Eagle Outfitters, offers simple swimsuits in a variety of different colors. They don’t have as many style variations as other companies, but the styles they have come in a range of colors and patterns. With the prices ranging from $19.95 to $54.95, it is a little bit more expensive compared to some of the other companies listed above.

“For the quality of the bathing suits and the amount of promotions Aerie has, I think that they are affordable for college students. With other companies, you might get a better price, but the quality is definitely noticeable,” said Maddie Chaunt, a sophomore community health major.

Chaunt says she prefers to shop at Aerie because of the message of body positivity they have all-around their store and website. It’s essential to have confidence in anything you wear, so for a company to promote that, it sticks out to people.

Whichever company you decide to shop from, make sure to choose the company and swimsuit style that is going to make you feel confident and beautiful.