Arolina Plus Size Tankini Review: A Size 18 That Fits
I tried the Arolina plus size tankini in a size 18. Stretchy flowy top, longer shorts, tummy control, removable cups. Here's how it really fits.
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Quick Verdict
I ordered my true size 18 and it fit. The top is stretchy and flowy, the shorts run a little longer than most swim bottoms, and the tummy-control waist sits up nice and high. If you want full coverage without giving up something cute, this delivers on both counts.
Buy if you:
- Want a longer short, not the too-shorty-short cut
- Like a flowy top with lots of stretch and room
- Want a high, tummy-control waistband
- Prefer removable cups and adjustable straps
Skip if you:
- Are bigger chested, since the top runs tighter through the bust
- Want a high-cut leg or a barely-there bottom
- Don’t like a two-piece and prefer a one-piece silhouette
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I Ordered My True Size and It Actually Fit
Size 18 ordered, size 18 delivered, no sizing up, no squeezing, no sending it back. That sounds like the bare minimum, but in plus-size swimwear it’s genuinely rare enough that it’s the first thing I want to tell you. No sizing-up gymnastics, no squeezing. You can check the current price and color options on Amazon here if you want to follow along.
That matters more than people think with plus size swimwear. Half the battle is whether the number on the tag means anything. With this Arolina tankini, my 18 was an 18. That alone put it ahead of a lot of suits I’ve tried.
What You’re Actually Working With
It’s a two-piece: a flowy tankini top and matching longer swim shorts. The top has lots of stretch, the bust has removable cups, and the back straps are adjustable. The shorts have a high tummy-control waistband and built-in undergarments. That’s the whole package, and it comes in lots of different colors, styles, and sizes.
The Top Has Stretch and Room Where It Counts
The top delivers serious stretch and flow, it moves instead of clings, skims instead of grabs. That’s the whole point for me.
I do find it is tighter through the chest. That’s okay for me because I’m not big chested, and there is still lots of room in there. The removable cups are really great, and the adjustable straps in the back let you dial in the fit if you need to. Between the cups and the straps, you’ve got two ways to adjust the bust before you give up on it.
The Shorts Are Longer, and I’m Here For It
The shorts run longer than the typical swim-bottom cut, not too shorty-short. That length matters when you want real coverage, and it matches the top perfectly.
The bottoms have that tummy control, so they go up nice and high. They also have built-in undergarments, which is really nice. So you’re covered, you’re held in, and you’re not fussing with anything riding down at the pool. The front detail on the shorts pulls the whole look together, it’s the reason this reads as an actual outfit rather than just functional pool cover.
The Tighter Bust Is the Thing to Know
The top runs tighter through the chest. I’ll say it plainly because it’s the one fit note that could trip people up. It works for me because I’m not big chested, and there’s still plenty of room overall. But if you carry more up top, that’s the area to watch.
The saving grace is that the straps are adjustable and the cups come out, so you’ve got a little give to play with. It’s not a deal-breaker for me, but it’s worth knowing before you order so you’re not surprised when it shows up.
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Arolina Plus Size Tankini
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Who This Tankini Is For
If you want full coverage without feeling frumpy, this is the lane. It’s for anyone who wants the longer short instead of the high-cut bottom, the flowy top instead of something tight, and a high tummy-control waist that stays put.
I’d point it at moms who want to chase kids around the pool and not adjust their suit every five minutes. The built-in undergarments and the high waist do a lot of the work there. It’s also a smart pick if you’re prepping for a summer trip and want one suit that covers, supports, and still looks cute. If you’re not big chested, the top fits great as is. If you are, the adjustable straps and removable cups give you room to work with it.
Tankini vs. a Basic One-Piece
A one-piece gives you simplicity. A two-piece tankini like this gives you flexibility. With this set you can adjust the top and the bottom separately, the cups come out, and the straps move. A one-piece is one fixed fit, take it or leave it.
Where a one-piece wins is for bigger busts that need built-in structure all the way through. This top runs tighter at the chest, so a structured one-piece might serve you better there. But for coverage with the freedom to fine-tune the fit, the tankini wins for me. And the matching longer short is something most one-pieces just don’t offer.
My Advice Before You Order
Order your true size. I’m an 18, I got the 18, and it fit, so I’d trust the tag here. Before you wear it out, take a minute with the straps and pop the cups in or out to get the bust right. That little setup makes a difference.
If you want the longer-short option, this is one to grab, because it’s harder to find than you’d think. And since it comes in lots of different colors and styles, check the live options on Amazon before you pick, so you land on the print you’ll actually reach for all summer.
Pros
- True to size, my 18 fit as an 18
- Flowy top with lots of stretch and room
- Removable cups and adjustable back straps
- Longer swim shorts instead of too-shorty-short
- High tummy-control waist with built-in undergarments
- Comes in lots of colors, styles, and sizes
Cons
- Top runs tighter through the chest, something to know if you’re bigger busted
- The longer short won’t suit you if you want a high-cut leg
- Two-piece by design, so not for anyone set on a one-piece
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Arolina tankini run true to size?
Yes, it ran true to size for me. I’m a size 18 and the 18 fit. The top has lots of stretch and the bottoms have plenty of room, so I’d order your normal size rather than sizing up.
Are the cups removable?
Yes, the cups are removable. You can take them out or leave them in depending on the coverage and support you want. Paired with the adjustable straps, it gives you two ways to fine-tune the bust.
How long are the shorts?
The shorts run a little longer than most swim bottoms, which is a big reason I like them. They’re not the too-shorty-short cut. If you want more leg coverage at the pool, that length is the selling point.
Does it have tummy control?
Yes. The bottoms sit up nice and high with tummy control, and they have built-in undergarments. So you feel held in and covered without having to layer anything underneath.
Will it work if I’m bigger chested?
Probably not the best fit if you’re fuller-busted. The top runs snug through the chest, that worked for me, but the adjustable straps and removable cups can only compensate so much. If your bust is the fit-or-fail factor for you, I’d size up or look elsewhere before committing.
Do the top and bottom match?
Yes, they’re a matching set. The longer shorts tie right in with the flowy top, so the whole look comes together. The front detail is adorable too.
What colors and sizes does it come in?
It comes in lots of different colors, styles, and sizes. The exact lineup changes, so check the live listing on Amazon to see what’s in stock before you pick your print.
Is this a one-piece or a two-piece?
It’s a two-piece: a flowy tankini top with matching longer swim shorts. If you specifically want a one-piece silhouette, this isn’t that. But the two-piece is what lets you adjust the top and bottom separately.
Get it now
Arolina Plus Size Tankini
Get the best price on Amazon →This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
