Is It Legit? 2 Women Test It Out

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Whether you’re a Shark Tank lover or a TikTok scroller (or both), you may have heard of TA3 – a sculpting swimsuit company that didn’t happen to receive a deal with one of the show’s investors, but still blew up nonetheless.

With 32.2 million amassed views on both TikTok hashtags #TA3 and #TA3Swim combined, it’s safe to say that their swimsuit designs have garnered some serious buzz – and for good reason. The standout feature of TA3 suits is that they have a criss-cross corset back that instantly snatches the waist with a tug of the strings.

The videos on social make it seem almost too good to be true, showing awe-struck reactions to the shaping effect. So, we had two people from our team take the suits for a spin, and see if the lofty price tag of $178 per bathing suit was actually worth it. Spoiler alert: It just may be the wardrobe swim staple of your dreams.

Before we get into it, though, we’ll just say this: All bodies are perfect just the way they are, and no one needs to change their body shape or make themselves look “snatched” in order to be beautiful.

How TA3 swimsuits work

If you’ve yet to see some of the endless TikTok reviews on your FYP, here’s what you need to know about TA3’s viral one-pieces.

The fabric of the garment is described as a lightweight activewear compression material, not all that dissimilar to a super supportive sports bra. The front and back waist area is lined with a power mesh, and the high-quality fabric is meant to be supportive, smoothing, and never see-through when wet.

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.

Olivia’s review of the TA3 Lacey swimsuit, size medium short

As someone who loves a more minimal, “always-in” bathing suit, I went with the roundneck Lacey style in a classic black hue. Thick to the touch and comfortably compressive, I immediately appreciated how easily this suit can be customized, with adjustable shoulder straps (that I quickly loosened for a more comfy fit), and of course, the corseted back that gives you some serious wiggle room when it comes to sizing.

I’m a medium in most articles of clothing, and this piece was very much true to size – and in opting for the shorter torso length, I found that it fit my 5’0 frame beautifully. Even without tightening the corset strings, I noticed some serious belly smoothing akin to shapewear that made me feel confident, accentuating an hourglass shape.

Personally, I do prefer more coverage, so I found that the bottom half of the suit was a bit tight and uncomfy, hitting quite low on the hips. However, if you prefer more cheeky coverage with a sexy twist, this may be the swimsuit for you. I also find bust pads finicky, creating unwanted lines and seams, so I appreciated that the ones this suit came from were easily removable.

Sally’s review of the TA3 Plungey swimsuit, size large

I opted for the regular plunge version of the suit in sapphire blue (there’s also a high-cut version here). I have a DDD cup size so I specifically wanted to see if the low-cut suit could handle larger cup sizes. I was honestly amazed by how secure I felt while swimming and snorkeling during my vacation to Mexico! The suit kept everything in place and I felt really confident doing lots of activities in it.

I also love the way the pull-string emphasized my curves without making me feel too constricted. I could pull it tight for a compressive feel and more pronounced hourglass shape, but I could still let it out a bit when I wanted something looser. And, I really appreciate that the straps are adjustable and that I could opt for a short torso cut because I’m only 5’1.

As far as longevity goes, the swimsuit has held up well for me even after washing it five or six times. I haven’t experienced any discoloration or stretching yet. Given how sturdy the construction is, I suspect it’s going to last me a really long time, making the $178 price tag more justifiable.

Sizing options and considerations

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 three 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 ace-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. Personally, I would really love to see all of their styles available in both low and high cut legs, since I’d prefer the Lacey style with a more cheeky high cut instead as it makes my legs look much longer.

The bottom line 

It’s no secret that this suit is on the pricey side – but given the quality, it’s totally 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 coverup skirt, 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.