We tested TA3's viral waist-cinching swimsuits

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Here are three of our editors wearing (from left to right) the Plungey, the Brazillian Bombshell, and the Lifty.

Jaclyn Turner, Samantha Crozier, Sally Kaplan/Business Insider

We tested TA3's viral swimsuits and newer apparel with editors across a range of body types, fit needs, and style preferences to see whether the brand lives up to the hype. TA3 first drew attention after founder Leila Shams appeared on Shark Tank to demonstrate the waist-sculpting effect of her designs, then gained even more momentum on TikTok, where videos of shoppers tightening the corset-style back lacing racked up millions of views. With that kind of buzz, we wanted to find out how the pieces actually perform beyond the dramatic mirror reveal.

In our testing, TA3 stood out for its supportive construction, curve-enhancing fit, and high-impact, confidence-boosting silhouettes. The brand's pieces are undeniably pricey, but several editors felt the combination of shaping, support, and quality made them easier to justify. In this TA3 review, we break down which styles are most worth considering, plus how they fit on different bodies.

Before diving in, one thing is worth saying up front: no one needs shaping swimwear or a cinched silhouette to look good. But for shoppers who want that extra support and sculpting effect, TA3 has built its reputation on delivering exactly that.

If you want more of our favorite suits, see the best swimsuits for women.

The Lifty

TA3

TA3's Lifty is a shaping one-piece designed for shoppers who want more lift and support than a typical swimsuit provides. Its underwire construction, adjustable lace-up back, and uncommonly broad size range — including multiple torso lengths and cup sizes up to J/K — make it especially appealing for fuller busts. The overall effect is sculpting and waist-defining, but it's still more customizable than many one-pieces that rely solely on compression.

It's also our top pick for the best swimsuits for large busts and one of our favorite one-piece swimsuits ever.

Sally's review of the Lifty

As someone with an F cup, I can confidently say it's the most comfortable and supportive one-piece I've tried, and a big reason it topped our list of the best swimsuits for large busts.

Sally Kaplan/Insider

Size Sally tried: Large, F cup, short torso

I love all of my TA3 swimsuits, but the Lifty is my favorite. The underwire is seriously supportive and helps avoid the dreaded uniboob that some one-pieces can cause. The sizing also feels almost miraculous: you choose your bodice length, swimsuit size, and cup size, which makes for an unusually precise fit. I've never had a one-piece fit me better.

The thick shoulder straps are comfortable and adjustable, and the cups support me perfectly without digging in. It's also cute enough to double as a bodysuit with jeans or flowy linen pants. Most importantly, it really does create a snatched waist. The lace-up back cinches you in impressively well, but you can loosen it when you want less compression, which makes it feel more versatile than most shaping swimsuits.

Sam's review of the Lifty

Though the Lifty is not the best for wearing to a spa (like I did here), it is the best for photos, bachelorette parties, and anywhere you want to be seen.

Samantha Crozier/Business Insider

Size Sam tried: Medium, D/DD cup, short torso

The Lifty is a fantastic suit that offers incredible bust support and a cinched waist with real wow factor. It instantly creates a snatched, sculpted look, which makes it feel especially fun and confidence-boosting to wear. But after taking it to the spa and into the sauna, I realized it's not my top pick for pure lounging and relaxation. You can absolutely loosen the back lacing and make it much more comfortable, but to me, this is a suit that's at its best when you want to look amazing and be seen — not necessarily when you want to fully melt into a lounge chair for hours. For photos, pool parties, and statement swim moments, though, it's fantastic.

The Plungey

TA3

TA3's Plungey is a shaping one-piece with a more classic, straightforward feel than the Lifty. Its main draw is the deep neckline, which gives it a sexier look, while the brand's signature lace-up back helps create that cinched TA3 silhouette. It still offers shaping and support, but overall it feels like a more basic, less structured option — a good pick for someone who wants the brand's snatching effect in a simpler, lower-cut style.

Note: We tried the original version of the Plungey, which doesn't have the metal detail at the neckline base.

Jaclyn's review of the Plungey

I was originally worried the long strings would get in the way of swimming, but it was no issue going for a few laps or jumping in. Everything stayed put.

Jaclyn Turner/Business Insider

Size Jaclyn Tried: XL, regular torso

I felt like a catfish in a swimsuit. The fit up top was great, and I felt very secure and flattered at the bust, something that usually concerns me about swimsuits that aren't bra-sized. However, I felt like the suit gaped at the bottom.

The Plungey is very reminiscent of a shapewear bodysuit. It's not the most comfortable swimsuit I've ever worn, but it's a small trade-off for a few hours to feel confident enough to have a photo shoot out in public of myself in a swimsuit. Plus, I felt secure swimming in it.

Sam's review of the Plungey

I wore the TA3 Plungey on vacation in the Amalfi Coast, and it was the perfect classic suit for boat days and photo ops.

Samantha Crozier

Size Sam tried: Medium, short torso

You know that Photoshop feature where you can pull your waist in so that it looks smaller? Well, this suit does that in real life. Now, no one's waist ever needs to look smaller — all bodies are beautiful. But as someone with a larger chest and a short torso, I feel most comfortable in clothing with waist definition (A-line dresses are my go-to). 

And boy, oh boy, does the Plungey suit excel in waist-defining. It actually lifts your breasts while pulling your waist in, creating an hourglass shape that I've never seen with another swimsuit. I got tons of compliments when I wore this, which is a true testament to the power of this simple black bathing suit with its magic lacing. 

I'm five-foot-two, so I got the suit in the short version, but there are also different lengths, which is why this suit also made our list of the best swimsuits for long torsos. 

Sally's review of the Plungey

On the left, the lacing is loose. On the right, it's pulled tight.

Sally Kaplan/Insider

Size Sally tried: Large, short torso

As someone with a DDD cup, I was curious whether such a low-cut suit would actually feel secure, and I was impressed by how well it held everything in place. I wore it while swimming and snorkeling on vacation in Mexico and felt confident throughout.

The pull string also did a great job defining my waist without feeling too restrictive. I could tighten it for more compression and a more dramatic shape or loosen it for a more comfortable fit. I also appreciated the adjustable straps and the option to choose a short torso length, since I'm 5'1.

After five or six washes, the Plungey still looks great, with no stretching or discoloration. The construction feels sturdy enough that the $178 price tag seems more worthwhile.

The Brazilian Bombshell

TA3

TA3's Brazilian Bombshell is one of the brand's sexier, more statement-making one-pieces. It combines built-in shaping with molded cups, removable push-up pads, and adjustable straps, so the effect is lifted through the bust and noticeably cinched through the waist. The signature lace-up back adds to that sculpted look, while the Brazilian-style, cheekier back makes it feel more revealing and less everyday than some of TA3's other suits. Overall, this is the style to choose if your priority is a dramatic, va-va-voom silhouette rather than subtle shaping.

Sam's review of the Brazilian Bombshell

This isn't the suit I'd recommend for someone who wants subtle shaping or a more low-key one-piece, but for a full-on bombshell look, it absolutely works.

Samantha Crozier/Business Insider

Size Sam tried: Medium, short torso, large cups

The Brazilian Bombshell is one of the most statement-making TA3 suits I tried. It gave me a noticeably lifted look through the bust, a cinched effect through the waist, and an overall silhouette that felt very glam and intentionally sexy. The leopard print only adds to that energy. Even though it's bold, it still felt supportive and well constructed, so I didn't feel like I was sacrificing security for style.

The Goddessy Maxi Dress

TA3

The Goddessy Maxi Dress brings TA3's signature waist-cinching effect to a floor-length silhouette that feels more polished than overtly shapewear-y. It's designed to define the waist and smooth the midsection, but the drapey skirt keeps it from feeling too tight or rigid.

Sam's review of the Goddessy Maxi Dress

Samantha Crozier/Business Insider

Size Sam tried: Medium

I loved the Goddessy Maxi Dress and felt incredibly confident in it. It delivers TA3's signature waist-cinching effect in a dressier, more dramatic silhouette, while the flowing skirt keeps it feeling elegant rather than restrictive. Overall, it struck me as a flattering, confidence-boosting piece that feels polished and special.

The one drawback for me was the bust fit. As someone with a DD chest, I found the top a little small, especially compared with TA3's swimwear, which offers more precise cup-size options. Still, I really enjoyed wearing the dress, and if the bust works for your proportions, it's a standout choice for anyone who wants shaping with a more glamorous, occasion-ready feel.

What we don't like about TA3

The corseting can cause drooping on the butt part: Gabi and Jaclyn reported the same issue. When the corset is pulled tight, it creates some gaping at the seat of the suit, which can make the back look a little unflattering.

When pulled tight, the suit isn't the most comfortable, but we highly recommend loosening the corset straps when you're just lounging on the beach. The snatching effect is great for pictures or for when you want to be seen, but it does make you feel a little like you're in the Victorian era.

FAQs

How do TA3 swimsuits work?

The garment's fabric feels like activewear compression material, not all that dissimilar to a super supportive sports bra. The front and back waist area is lined with power mesh, which helps smooth and shape.

The corseted design starts at around the mid-back, near where the waist is typically smallest, and laces up to around the shoulder blades. With adjustable straps, removable bust pads, and some leeway with the corseted strings, the suit's sizing is quite accommodating and able to be modified depending on your preference for the day.

How does the sizing work?

When shopping for your perfect size, note that you are able to choose from the regular/long or the short torso fit, which is available for all of their current styles. And from XS to 4X, they have an impressive size range that feels inclusive and intentional. We found that the suits fit true-to-size, but the lace-up system offers a lot of wiggle room in terms of sizing.

Different neckline styles can also be paired with different cuts on the hips, but not every style has a high-cut version.

Can you actually swim in TA3 swimsuits?

Yes — TA3 is still swimwear, not just shapewear that looks like a swimsuit. The swim fabric is engineered to resist chlorine, salt water, and UV rays, though the more sculpting-focused styles may feel less lounge-y than softer, less structured suits.

What is TA3's return policy?

TA3 says it accepts returns and exchanges within 21 days of purchase for eligible orders. For international orders, the brand says returns and exchanges are not accepted, and sale items may be subject to stricter rules depending on the discount.

The bottom line 

It's no secret that these are on the pricey side – but given the quality, TA3 is worth it. Each suit is an investment piece that will be a staple in your closet for many summer vacations of beachside getaways to come.

Aside from comfort and its customizable fit, many appreciate a piece that pairs well with an outfit in between sunbathing and swimming (say, walking around a beach town or at the resort lunch spot) – and this one-piece acts as the ideal complementary item for denim shorts, a swimsuit coverup, or even loose beachy pants.

If you want to feel polished, snatched, and totally secure when playing around in the water, this suit may be your next best purchase.

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