When Curvy Kate offered us a choice of swimsuits to review, I requested the Ocean Drive tankini. I even requested the tiny chameleon bottoms that would normally terrify me because they looked so perfect with the top. Then we were told that some of our requests had already sold out and they would send us substitutes. I just knew the Ocean Drive had to be one of them. “Please don’t replace it with the matronly Moonflower,” I begged in my mind.
Of course they replaced it with the Moonflower! But it doesn’t feel matronly at all. In fact, this suit has received more compliments than any other suit I’ve worn this month.
There’s a just-rightness about this suit. The black background is slimming, while the hot pink trim and flower print keep it from being austere. However, the just-rightness is about more than the looks. This suit really performs!
First, the 3-part unlined cups have absolutely NO stretch.
Given my experience with Curvy Kate bras in 2012, I had no idea what to expect from the fit of their swimwear, but I requested a 32FF to see if my current size in most other brands would be my size in their swimwear. In this unpadded style, it was spot on. The center gore tacks perfectly, the band is snug on the loosest of the three columns of hooks, and the underwires enclose all tissue. In the photo below, the underwire ends about 1.5 inches before the side seams.
Second, these cups give excellent security. There was none of the bounce that I felt in the bikini tops that are lined with stretch fabric. Also, I dived several times in this suit and swam multiple laps, and while the neckline was slightly lower after extended activity, there was absolutely .
Third, the torso of this suit gave excellent security as well! Like the Panache Leena, it’s sewn in three slimming panels down the front, and it felt very close around my waist–in a good way. However, what really astounded me was the lack of any riding up whatsoever. Even as I stretched my arms high above my head for the breast stroke, my torso remained completely covered.
Someone with a longer torso will appreciate the drawstring shirring that gives the option of lengthening this tankini. I kept the drawstring at the length it came in out of the box. I also really like the use of elastic inside the drawstrings. It makes them curly!
The bottoms are okay. I like their height and the folded over pink band. As Caroline over at Curvy Wordy noted in her review of the Curvy Kate Luau Love, the back is a single layer of fabric. Fortunately, since this fabric is a print with a black background, there’s no danger of being see-through. Another advantage over Curvy Wordy’s pair is that the foldover band is sewn down at the sides, so it stays put.
And I love the sassy back bow detail.
I have only one dissatisfaction with the suit, and you may or may not see it in the photos of me from the front and the side because it became more apparent after wearing and swimming in this suit for a while: my bust line sort of flattened and settled, giving me slight frog chest similar to what I experienced in my pre-Panache sports bras. However, just as those sports bras couldn’t keep me from enjoying the gym, this swimsuit won’t keep me from enjoying the pool–far from it! I loved how secure I felt in this suit, and no one ever gave me any compliments in those old sports bras.
If you’re wondering whether a Curvy Kate suit would be a good fit for you this summer, we have four more reviews coming up for the rest of this week. Stay tuned!
Note: I realize that this is a pretty gushing post, but I promise that all opinions are my own.
This is THE one; the best so far. It looks great on you.