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Here's to being comfortable, confident and chic on the beach and beyond.

There's nothing quite as joy-bringing as a good old summer holiday, but the associated swimwear shopping? Not always so joyous. For many, it can be a stressful, anxiety-inducing and unpleasant task (little surprise: 68% of women hate it) – but for those blessed with big boobs, it can be an even bigger headache. Despite the majority of women in the UK wearing a D-cup or larger, historically the swimwear options for women with big boobs have been woefully poor: some resembling unattractive harness-like contraptions, or brands unhelpfully offering matching sets in a single size.

But as the size inclusivity movement has finally started to take hold, a new wave of swimwear designers have emerged with brands that put big boobs first, offering a wide range of bikinis and one-pieces that are both stylish and supportive. Think chic lingerie-like construction, double straps, delightfully stretchy materials, mix-and-match sizing and even, lo and behold, triangle styles that actually feature enough material to cover more than just the nipple. Rejoice!

Because we take this issue very seriously, ELLE UK's big-boob contingent has personally tried and tested a variety of brands and styles to find the best swimwear to shop right now, from insider-favourite Form & Fold and the super-stretchy Hunza G, to the surprisingly inclusive Eres.

But first, the big-boob girl's swimwear shopping gospel according to two seasoned experts: Devin Brugman and Tash Oakley of Monday Swimwear and A Bikini A Day;

Armed with this and our failsafe list of big-boob friendly swimwear brands, here's to being comfortable, confident and chic on the beach this summer and beyond.

A post shared by Monday Swimwear (@mondayswimwear)

Best for: Unbeatable fit and trendy yet timeless styles.

'Our aim has always been to make women feel confident, supported and sexy in their swimwear,' say Monday Swimwear founders Tash Oakley and Devin Brugman – and that's exactly what the stylish duo have achieved.

The LA-based brand has quickly become a go-to for the fashion world's big-boob contingent, thanks to its flattering cuts, wide variety of styles, chic colourways and rigorous design process that has resulted in some of the best-fitting tops in the biz.

Shop by cup size (up to a G), fit or coverage to find your perfect style, and there's also a very handy Fit Guide that will walk you through each element. The only downside is that you'll have to pay for shipping from the US, though some styles are available via Revolve.

A post shared by Form and Fold (@formandfold)

Designed in Australia exclusively for D+ women, Form & Fold has been leading the way in big-boob swimwear since 2017.

As E and DD-cups respectively, founders Carly and Stephanie were motivated by their 'own experiences of being self-conscious at the beach and a frustration with the limited selection available' – and perfectly placed to create a collection of supportive and stylish swimwear that would change the game forever.

The lingerie-style engineering is impeccable, underwires actually comfortable and classic shapes universally flattering. Just make sure you keep a close eye on restocks, as styles sell out quickly (and year-round).

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Best for: Bold colours and sustainable staples.

Made in the UK using regenerated and recycled materials, Away That Day's brightly coloured swimwear is proof that sustainability can still be sexy. All bikinis are sold as separates so you can mix and match your sizes perfectly, while the backs are all adjustable for the perfect fit.

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Best for: Cool-girl vibes and retro prints.

Fashion stylist Tona Stell always struggled to find swimwear that would fit her big boobs – so she decided to create her own. By using size 16, FF-cup samples and fit models, Tona's eponymous brand has something to suit every body: bikini tops go up to a 38G and cleverly concealed supportive underwires, while bottoms range from a size 8-20 and come in high-waist, high-leg styles that are eternally flattering (and chic).

A post shared by Hunza G (@hunza.g)

Best for: Comfortable, stretchy and super-stylish one-pieces

No doubt you will have spotted endless brightly coloured, seersucker fabrics on your Instagram feed this summer, and it's all down to cult swimwear brand Hunza G. But while a 'one size fits all' concept is usually a total no-go for those with big boobs, Hunza G's super-stretchy fabric will adapt to your shape seamlessly.

The bikinis are sadly not an option for most (nip slip inevitable for anything over a D-cup), but there are plenty of fabulous one-pieces to invest in with thick straps that offer some support.

A post shared by Arabella London (@arabellalondon)

Best for: Subtly sexy lingerie styles.

While Arabella London's swimwear might not have been specially formulated for bigger boobs, its cup-specific sizes, lingerie-like construction and adjustable straps make it a big-boob-friendly brand to have on your radar. Think elegant structures, ultra-luxurious details (gold-plated hardware? Why not!) and innumerable styles and shapes. Just watch out for the sometimes-confusing top sizing scale: we recommend ordering a couple of sizes if you're unsure, as coverage can vary too.

A post shared by Half Baked London (@halfbakedlondon)

Best for: Versatile one-pieces for beach-to-bar dressing.

If you've ever found yourself dreaming of wearing your comfiest underwear basics to the beach, then you'll absolutely love Half Baked. Founded in 2017, the London-based brand specialises in swimwear with the flattering shape and super-soft feel of your favourite bodysuit. The comfort level is unbeatable, and we love that you can just throw on a pair of shorts and some statement earrings after a beach day, and be ready to go straight out into the night.

A post shared by ERES Official (@eres)

Best for: Elegant investment pieces.

We were pleasantly surprised to learn that the eternally chic Eres is more size-inclusive than we first thought: the French brand actually goes up to a UK 18 in its swimwear, meaning much of the big-boob contingent can enjoy its sleek silhouettes too. Simply revert to the old-school method of sizing significantly for the bikini tops, and match with the separately-sold bottoms.

A post shared by Monte & Lou (@monteandlou)

Best for: Feminine boho prints.

Australian brand Monte & Lou has got that gloriously girly vintage vibe down pat, with bikinis and swimsuits for both big and small boobs in a variety of bespoke prints. Choose from underwired, triangle, bralette or bandeau styles, all of which go up to an F-cup – the swimsuits too. And the fact that Monte & Lou makes all its swimwear from recycled textiles just makes buying the lot all the more tempting.