I Got Over a Dozen Compliments on This Boden Swimsuit Last Summer & I’m Buying Another One This Year

Last summer, my husband and I flew to Mallorca—with our toddler in tow—for a sand-filled week as part of a 10-day trip to Spain. And this Spanish vacaciones (one that included running after said toddler) came with the sartorial pressure to dress to impress. In the weeks leading up to our departure, I realized that I needed a swimsuit that would look great in pictures, but was practical enough to swim and sunbathe in. Hey, a mom can dream.

Despite knowing all that, I still left this important purchase to the very last minute. So, when I discovered Boden’s Santorini swimsuit ($110) in deep red with flashy pink accents, I had it overnighted and hoped for the best.

Let’s talk about the fit. I may have been down to the wire, but I made sure to test drive the suit in my bedroom before granting it precious real estate in my suitcase. I put it on and instantly fell in love with how slimming it was, thanks to the body-sculpting lining and lightly padded bra cups that keep everything in place. (For reference, I’m a C-cup.) Yep, my stomach felt slimmer and my butt felt properly covered. And, as a bonus, the customizable tie neck lifted me up without creating a uniboob.

The cut is sleek and sophisticated. The pink and red hues jumped out, even as I hastily scrolled through Boden’s website. But the beauty of the Santorini suit is that it’s available in a variety of colors and patterns. (In fact, I had a hard time choosing between the hot pepper colorblock and this mustard yellow hue, the latter of which is currently on sale.) Still, the slimming effect isn’t just because of the body-sculpting lining. It’s the actual seams on this suit. From the waistband detail to the extensive side paneling and the surprisingly flattering bands around each leg, the design draws the eye in and, as a result, appears to whittle several pounds off your figure—which is never a bad thing. It’s also inherently retro, so when I wear my suit with a pair of flashy shades, I just feel downright glamorous.

It’s also mom-friendly. I felt supported in this suit as I darted in and out of the water at the beach. The subtle bra cups did their job, but the straight-across neckline really helped minimize bounce as I hastily ran out of the ocean toting pails full of water for sandcastle building with my son. I also think there’s something about a bright color that boosts your confidence on the sand. (Cellulite? What’s cellulite?). But I also felt pretty, like I was ready for a family photo at any time. As far as one-pieces go, this is just a really flattering suit. And the $110 price tag—a splurge—delivers quality for sure.

The proof is in the IG comments. I posted a pic of me in the Mallorcan waters with my son and my friend group freaked out. But instead of “OMG! How’s Spain?” or the usual “He’s getting so big!!” every message was about my swimwear. Three of my friends even piggy-backed their comments begging for intel about where it was from, which is truly the biggest compliment.

But I also know this is now my go-to swimsuit. For reference, I’ve since worn it numerous times, including in my toddler’s kiddie pool and, yes, it still feels chic. I’m even planning to treat myself to a second one: I’ve got my eye on this red-white-blue combo and I’ll be placing my order for it before August arrives.

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