The Best Places to Shop for Swimwear in Philly
When I think about what makes a great womenswear store, I think about curation: a strong aesthetic, a refined point of view, a smart mix of designers. When I think about think about what makes a swimwear store great, well, curation goes out the window. Here, it’s all about selection — sizes, styles, prices, add-ons — and these stores have the best of it all.
Everything But Water
Take the name literally: This KOP spot is a swimwear mecca. Here, you’ll find some of the cutest one-pieces around (look for ones by Karla Colletto), and two-pieces that fit every body type and bust size (halter tops, bandeaus with and without underwire, triangle tops, classic bra tops, and a plus-size selection). The store’s 80-plus brands include Zimmerman, We Are Handsome, Melissa Odabash, Letarte, and Eberjey, and they offer free, private fit consultations to help you navigate it all.
The Plaza at the King of Prussia Mall, 160 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia.
South Moon Under
Among the soft cotton maxi dresses and wallet-friendly accessories is a serious swimwear selection. You’ll find bandeau bikinis by Trina Turk; sporty two-pieces by Rip Curl; fashion-forward suits by L*Space, gingham suits by Ralph Lauren; colorblocked one-pieces by Splendid. Go here, find a suit, pick up a coverup (and straw hat, and beach bag, and trunks for him) and be on your Shore-hopping way.
205 West Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, and 1731 Chestnut Street, Rittenhouse.
Cameo Water Wear
It has six local year-round locations, two seasonal locations, and more swimwear options than you’d ever need from graphic one-pieces and splashy rash guards to bikinis both tiny and fuller-coverage, plus all the coverups (look for ELAN pieces; Beyoncé’s a fan) and sandals you’ll need to go with it all. Tip: Go here to mix and match bikini separates.
Multiple locations.
Shirley & Co
The selection here is vast, spanning all cuts, colors and brands (seriously, they carry about 50 different lines). But it gets top honors thanks to its three locations (Ardmore, Langhorne and Elkins Park), its year-round focus on swimwear (perfect for a last-minute shopping session before a tropical winter getaway), and its impressive assortment of hard-to-find sizes — they stock up to G cups.
42 Greenfield Avenue, Ardmore; 8120 Old York Road (Church and Old York roads), Elkins Park; 23 Summit Square Center (Route 413 and Newtown Bypass), Langhorne.
Honorable Mentions:
Calypso
Everything here has the distinct, low-key luxe island vibe that Calypso is known for, and that aesthetic translates well to bikini separates, one-pieces and sarongs.
1613 Walnut Street, Rittenhouse.
Lilly Pulitzer
Even though who aren’t fans of Lilly’s bright, preppy, splashy colors and patterns will appreciate them on swimwear.
The Plaza at King of Prussia Mall, 160 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia.
