Swimsuit

Universal Standard Launches Inaugural Size-Inclusive 8-Piece Swim With US Collection

Lauren Chan, a 2023 SI Swimsuit rookie and the company’s head of brand partnerships, speaks on the impact of the swimwear debut.

Ananya Panchal

Universal Standard’s Swim With US collection.

A leader in size inclusivity, Universal Standard has always been a trailblazer in the fashion industry, and today, the clothing giant debuts its first swimwear line, Swim With US. The eight-piece collection is focused on delivering expertly engineered pieces designed to “fit exceptionally” on every size from 00 to 40. 

Lauren Chan, a 2023 SI Swimsuit rookie and Universal Standard’s head of brand partnerships, opened up about her involvement with the collection, as well as the impact she hopes it will have on both customers and the industry. She wore the Swim Bodyshortie ($168) at the VIP preview event in New York City on June 14.

“I am so excited to be working with Universal Standard in time for their inaugural swimwear launch. I am so impressed with the collection. First and foremost, we are the most size-inclusive brand in the world, a feat in and of itself,” the Henning founder tells SI Swimsuit. “Then, it’s also chic and hyper-functional so it comes in some of my favorite colors of the season—a hue I’m calling ‘tennis ball,’ which is actually called bright melon on the website, a lovely night-time orange, a classic black... etc.”

Chan adds that there are technical design elements to each piece, so consumers no longer have to choose between support, style, size availability or comfort when it comes to swimwear.

“Many swim lines use power mesh to compress. At Universal Standard, we believe that every body should be celebrated as is, so instead of using the fabric to shape the body, we strategically placed power mesh on side panels and slings throughout the swimwear to offer support without restriction. Not only does this maximize comfort by eliminating the need for underwire and removing constraints, but it offers a flexible structure that prevents the suit from rolling or shifting with movement,” chief design officer Ramon Martin shares. “We’ve also crafted the suits with premium UPF 50, quick-dry materials to allow for sun protection and fast recovery, so the shopper can transition from pool to other plans.”

Martin leads the product team specializing in fit, quality and style. He explains that the Universal Standard team has been thinking about a swimwear line for seven years now, and explored collaboration options with existing brands before deciding that “swimwear that currently exists in the market is not up to our standards.”

Without wanting to compromise on their commitment to fit, quality, and style, the brand created a line in-house.

“The industry has historically excluded many people from participating in fashion, and swimwear brands in particular often only cater to niche groups of a certain age, size or aesthetic. We’ve rejected that notion and continued to launch categories and garments that champion all people and their differences. Universal Standard has an incredibly diverse and valued community, and we designed Swim With US with their needs at the forefront,” he adds. “This collection is crafted to feel like it was custom-made for each shopper, offering various silhouettes from the bodysuit to the bikini that cater to a range of coverage and style preferences. We want the shopper to look at Swim With US and think, ‘That was made for me.’”

Swim With US collection.

Swim With US collection.

Universal Standard differs from other mainstream brands in that the company has designed a size curve to accurately reflect the American population. A size 18 is the company’s true “medium.” They perfect each silhouette on a size 18 and then fit and test across the full size range to ensure an ideal fit.

“We have to think about how one style will fit differently on a petite person versus a person who is 5' 11",” Martin continues. “To truly provide a democratized shopping experience, it is so important that fit is consistent for every shopper, whether a size 2 or size 32.”

Chan is a longtime friend of the brand, and with her background in fashion writing, modeling and retail entrepreneurship, she brings a breadth of valuable and unique experience to Universal Standard and the Swim With US collection, Martin says.

“I think more than anything, I’m just really excited about a collection that is going to let so many folks get dressed this summer for swimwear environments and feel comfortable and included and celebrated and powerful and like they can go have fun,” Chan states. “Which is what we should all do this summer.”

Shop the collection below and at Universalstandard.com.

The Swimsuit, $188 (universalstandard.com)

suit

The swimsuit is the star of the summer and the entire Swim With US collection, which the brand describes as the perfect piece.

The Swim Dress, $248 (universalstandard.com)

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The Universal Standard website describes the vibe of this swim dress as “vintage poolside elegance.” The classic one-piece features an attached dress overlay.

The Swim Tank, $148 (universalstandard.com)

tank

With the sleek and sporty swim tank, you can have the best of both worlds: look cute and feel comfortable.

The Twist Bikini Top, $118 (universalstandard.com)

twist

This stylish piece offers incredible support, and we love the twist-front design.

The Bikini Brief, $88 (universalstandard.com)

bottoms

This classic and essential swim bottom is made from the signature UPF 50 fabric and pairs perfectly with any swimsuit top.

The Sport Bikini Top, $112 (universalstandard.com)

sport

No underwire? No problem! This top is both comfortable and supportive.

The Bikini Short, $94 (universalstandard.com)

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The bikini short is “easy, sporty, classic” and can easily be mixed and matched with any of the bikini tops, tanks or rash guards.

The Swim Bodyshortie, $168 (universalstandard.com)

bodyshortie (1)

This full-coverage style is fun, flattering and trendy. Wear it as a swimsuit without the usual fuss or pair it with other closet staples for an evening look.

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!

Published
Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.