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Nordstrom vs J.Crew

Saturday, December 2nd

2023 Swimsuit Store Reviews

Nordstrom Review 4.5 Star Rating

Nordstrom

4.5 Star Rating
  • High-end designer brands available
  • Excellent swimwear selection for men, women, and children
  • Women's fashion bikinis and one-piece swimsuits, sizes XXS-4X+ or 00-24W+, plus maternity sizes/styles
  • Men's swim trunks and board shorts, sizes XS-6XL
  • Girls' 1- and 2-piece swimsuits, sizes 2T-16+
  • Boys' swim trunks and board shorts, sizes 2T-20
  • Free shipping
  • Extremely generous return policy
  • "A+" rated by the BBB

Nordstrom will redefine your experience of buying swimwear from a big-box department store. With hundreds (or even thousands) of choices for men, women, and children by all of the brands you already love (and some new ones to discover), this retailer lets you get all of your shopping done at once. Nordstrom's return policy has no time limit - and you may even be able to get a refund if you wear your swimsuit a few times and it falls short of your expectations. You'll get great results buying your swimwear at Nordstrom.

J.Crew Review 3.5 Star Rating

J.Crew

3.5 Star Rating
  • Swimwear for the whole family
  • Helpful True Fit tool for getting the right size
  • Women's fashion bikinis and one-piece swimsuits, sizes XXS-3X or 0-24
  • Men's trunks and board shorts, sizes XS-XXL or 28-42
  • Girls' tankinis and one-piece swimsuits, sizes XS-XL or 1-14
  • Boys' trunks and board shorts, sizes S-XL or 1-16
  • 30-day return policy, $7.50 for return shipping if using J.Crew prepaid label
  • $5 standard shipping, free for J.Crew rewards members

For almost 40 years, J.Crew has been a brand associated with a certain classic, timeless look - and that applies to their swimsuit selection too. Their inventory of swimwear for everyone in the family tends to be solids, stripes and other classic patterns: nothing jaw-dropping or "too much" of anything. Pricing runs a little high but might be worth it if you find a suit you love in a size not sold in other places, and a useful True Fit tool makes that more likely than at other online retailers. Not everyone will find a must-have swimsuit style here, but it's a solid option for quality swimwear.

Where Can You Find the Best Selection of Swimsuits?

Let's face it: most of us really don't like shopping for swimwear, even when we have hundreds of options right at our fingertips. Standing in front of a changing room mirror, under harsh lighting and with barely enough room to turn around, is not exactly a recipe for a mood-boosting retail experience. What if it didn't have to be that way?

Good news: it doesn't! You can buy your next swimsuit online and try it on in the privacy of your own home, no fluorescent lights required. Snap a photo and text your friends to see if they like it, use a filter to see how you'd look wearing it at the beach - it's really that easy.

The Best Swimsuit Stores Compare Swimsuit Stores Compare Swimsuit Store Reviews What are the best Swimsuit Stores Best Swimsuit Store Reviews

Swimsuit Store FAQ

The sky's the limit! From cute, crocheted bikinis to high-performance racing suits for triathletes, there's an abundance of variety when it comes to shopping for swimsuits.
That's easy: to get the best selection! Local inventory can be limited, particularly if you're looking for a swimsuit out of season (like buying a tankini in January for an escape to the Caribbean!). Shopping online makes it so much more likely that you'll find something you love in your size.
As much or as little as you wish. You can find swimwear for as little as $15 or as expensive as $1500! But, most swimsuits will fall somewhere in the $30-$100 range.
Most online retailers of swimwear have helpful sizing guides. Take accurate measurements and buy the suit that's the closest fit. Another option is to buy 2-3 sizes in the same suit and return the ones that don't fit. Just be sure to check the store's return policy first!
Not necessarily. Most swimsuits stretch out over time, so starting off with one that feels just a little bit too snug can actually be a good thing. This is especially true with competitive swimsuits, where loose swimwear = slower race times!
Fortunately, yes: the majority of swimsuit retailers offer you a 30-day return period, and some even cover the cost of return shipping. Make sure not to remove any hygienic liners that may come with your swimsuit bottoms until you're sure you're keeping your purchase.
For women, the best option is typically a one-piece racing suit, although in more recent years many manufacturers have offered two-piece designs suitable for lap swimming (usually with a drawstring on the bottoms!). For men, avoid board shorts and look for either a bikini-style bottom or "jammers" (which are like biker shorts without the padding).
Given that swimsuits aren't cheap and that they can wear out quickly, you'll want to take good care of it to help it last as long as possible. Some tips for keeping your suit in good condition include rinsing before and after you get in the water, letting it air dry flat instead of hanging it by the straps, and keeping it out of direct sunlight. (And try not to forget it in your swim bag because it will mildew!)
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

But wait. Do stores really let you return swimsuits if you don't like how they look or fit? Yes! Of course, you usually have to keep the hygienic liner in place, the tags attached, and return it in unworn, unwashed condition in order to be eligible for a refund.

Better yet, many top online retailers of swimwear make it easy to get the right fit on your first try. How? Some provide tools that take your measurements and your feedback on how certain brands fit you (e.g. too small, too large, true to size) to give you an approximation of how any particular trunks, bikinis or one-pieces might fit. Also, look for detailed customer reviews: they're usually sortable by height and weight so you can choose ratings from shoppers with your same body type, and many times they even include candid photos.

There are a lot of online swimwear retailers to consider, from household name brands you already recognize and love to lesser-known stores with plenty of trendy and classic styles you might not find anywhere else. Where should you shop? Here are some factors to keep in mind to help you pick:

  • Who you're buying for. Some stores only sell women's swimsuits, while others include apparel for the whole family.
  • What size you need. Almost every swimsuit retailer carries standard sizes from S-XL, but not everyone has options for smaller/bigger ends of the spectrum. If you're typically challenging to fit or you need options like long torso styles, maternity or mastectomy wear, there are stores that are happy to accommodate you!
  • How easy it is to shop. The best online swimwear stores will help you find several items you'll like. They accomplish this with filters and sorting features, reviews and ratings from customers, and plenty of information about each swimsuit (like fabric, sizing charts, and so on).
  • How long you have to make a return. Some stores only give you 15 days, while others have no time limit at all! Be sure you understand the retailer's return and refund policy before you make a purchase, especially if you're shopping ahead of time and might not try the suit on right away.
  • What others say about the store. Does it have a good reputation for treating customers well? Has the Better Business Bureau given the retailer a strong rating?

TopConsumerReviews has evaluated and ranked today's top online retailers of swimsuits. We're confident that this information will help you find the perfect apparel for your next trip to the beach or pool!

The Best Reviews of Swimsuit Stores