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No one needs to make their waist appear smaller — and we love TA3 for more than just their corseted back.

Sally Kaplan, Samantha Crozier

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 any 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. Our experiences indicated that amidst the best swimsuits for women, TA3 may be the perfect suit to get you in the mindset of escaping the winter doldrums.

Before we dive into our TA3 swimsuit review, 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

The lace-up corset allows for a custom fit, so you can still wear the suit comfortable even if you don’t want the compression.

Olivia Rose Ferreiro/Sally Kaplan/Insider

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.

Sam’s review of the TA3 Plungey swimsuit, size medium

Samantha Crozier

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 TA3 Plungey swimsuit, size large

Before (left) and after (right).

Sally Kaplan/Insider

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. 

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

Olivia Rose Ferreiro/Insider

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 Lifty, F Cup

Sally Kaplan/Insider

I love all of my TA3 swimsuits, but the Lifty suit is my favorite because the underwire is so supportive and prevents the dreaded uniboob that some one-piece bathing suits can cause. The way the sizing works is nothing short of a miracle. You get to choose your bodice length (short or regular/long), your usual swimsuit size (from XS-4X), and your cup size (from A-J/K,) to get the absolute perfect fit, plus there are a bunch of color options. I’ve truly never had a one-piece fit me better!

The thick shoulder straps are comfy and adjustable, and the cups cradle me perfectly with no digging. It even looks super cute as a bodysuit, so you could theoretically wear it with jeans or flowy linen pants and no one would be the wiser. But I know you’re all here to find out whether it actually does what it promises to do, which is give you a snatched waist. The short answer is: yes! 

The longer answer is absolutely yes; the lacing in the back actually works like a dream to cinch your waist in. But the good news is that if you’re ever feeling bloated or you just want something a little less compressive, you can always just loosen it up. It’s like having two sizes in one! Anyway, if you have a large chest, you won’t regret buying this suit — as someone with an F cup, it’s definitely the most comfortable and supportive one-piece I’ve ever tried. This suit even topped our list of the best swimsuits for large busts because of the great sizing options and supportive underwire. 

There’s even an option for a high-cut version of this suit here if you prefer to show more leg.

Sizing options and considerations

This is the regular cut on the Lacey swimsuit.

Olivia Rose Ferreiro/Insider

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.

Other TA3 products 

TA3

TA3 doesn’t just make swimsuits. They’ve also come out with a line of shaping clothing like dresses and bodysuits. These products are made for days when your destination is a bar or a dinner, rather than the pool or the beach. 

“I was obsessed with TA3’s swim line, so I knew I had to try their regular clothing. Just like their swimsuits, the back of their bodysuits and dresses are laced like a corset to really cinch your waist in. I appreciate the structure immensely, but I think they need a little work to reduce bulkiness and increase comfort. 

“For example, there’s a bodysuit under the dresses — complete with clever crotch gusset with a hook-and-eye closure for easy bathroom trips — in order to really hold you in. It works fantastically — but the lacing, the layers of fabric, and the thick material needed to create the cinching effect were a little bulky for me. The Scoopy Bodysuit is made from a soft Ponte fabric, but I found that the bulkiness prevented fitted jeans from buttoning. The Sqarey Dress, on the other hand, is made from a similar fabric to the swimsuits, which I found a little awkward. It’s also a struggle to get into because of how tight it is. But there’s no denying the cinching and smoothing effects of these pieces. 

“Overall, I found the clothing line to be highly effective and incredible shapewear, but you do have to be willing to pay the price of bulkiness, a getting ready process that requires you to really squeeze into something, and some discomfort throughout the day.” — Samantha Crozier, style editor, Insider Reviews. 

The bottom line 

TA3

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.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

• Donald Sutherland died in June 2024. He was 88 years old.
• Although he appeared in dozens of iconic films, he was never nominated for a competitive Oscar.
• He was in good company. There are many talented actors who have never been nominated.

Being nominated for an Academy Award is one of the highest honors an actor could receive, and winning one is a whole new level.

But there are plenty of actors who have never received an Oscar nomination, even though their work has spanned decades, is consistently great, or made hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office.

Donald Sutherland, for example, appeared in numerous Oscar-quality films throughout his career before his death in June 2024. But he only received an honorary Oscar in 2017.

He’s not the only A-lister who was never recognized by the Academy.

Donald Sutherland, who died in June 2024, won an honorary Academy Award before his death but was never nominated for a competitive award.Donald Sutherland.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Sutherland died at the age of 88 on June 20, 2024, just a month shy of his 89th birthday. He made his film debut 61 years ago in an uncredited role in the 1963 film “The World Ten Times Over.”

Sutherland went on to appear in dozens of films, giving Oscar-worthy performances in movies like “MASH,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” “Klute,” “JFK,” “Ordinary People,” “Six Degrees of Separation,” “Pride and Prejudice,” and any of the “Hunger Games” installments — the list goes on.

Sutherland was nominated for nine Golden Globes over the course of his career, but never an Oscar, though he was awarded an honorary Oscar in 2017.

John Goodman was nominated for a Golden Globe for “Barton Fink,” and that easily could’ve netted him an Oscar nomination, too.John Goodman.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Goodman, 72, has been one of our most reliable actors for the last few decades, whether you checked in every week on “Roseanne” or stuck to his big-screen exploits.

“Barton Fink,” the 1991 black comedy about a screenwriter (John Turturro) and his next-door neighbor who sells insurance (Goodman), written by the Coen Brothers, was recognized by the Academy for supporting actor, art direction, and costume design. But Goodman’s turn as what you think is Barton’s nice neighbor, only to be revealed as something much more sinister, deserved more awards attention.

Goodman has also been nominated by various critics associations for “The Big Lebowski,” “Argo,” and most recently “10 Cloverfield Lane,” which all feasibly could have earned him a nomination.

If “Crash” was always going to win best picture, the Academy could’ve at least nominated Thandiwe Newton.Thandiwe Newton.

Rodin Eckenroth/Film Magic/Getty

“Crash,” released in 2004, is one of the most infamous (and perhaps undeserving) best picture winners of all time. The Independent called it an “utterly tone-deaf, cloyingly sentimental ensemble film,” as it only engages with racism in the most surface-level way.

So, why should Newton, 51, have been nominated? Because she plays a young Black woman who is sexually assaulted by a white racist cop played by Matt Dillon — but only Dillon was nominated for an Academy Award, even though most of the emotional burden of the film rests on Newton’s shoulders.

She received many other precursor awards for the film, including a BAFTA, an Empire Award, and multiple other nominations.

But, if you want to forget “Crash” exists altogether, Newton could’ve also been nominated for “Beloved,” “The Pursuit of Happyness,” or even 2022’s “God’s Country.”

David Oyelowo’s snub for “Selma” still stings, 10 years later.David Oyelowo.

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

That Oyelowo, 48, wasn’t even nominated for playing Martin Luther King Jr. remains one of the biggest Oscar snubs of all time, as he had been nominated for a Critics’ Choice Award, a Golden Globe, an Independent Spirit Award, and a Satellite Award, and won an NAACP Award, for his performance as the activist.

But Oyelowo has turned in multiple other exemplary performances over the years, including in “The Butler,” “Queen of Katwe,” and “Middle of Nowhere.”

It takes a lot for a rom-com to be recognized at the Oscars, but at least two of Meg Ryan’s rom-com roles are Oscar-worthy.Meg Ryan.

Taylor Hill/WireImage/Getty

“When Harry Met Sally…” is arguably the first modern romantic comedy, and anything that’s come after has been in its shadow. Much of its enduring power comes from the sparkling screen presence of Ryan, who plays Sally across a decade of her life, from recent college grad to disillusioned single 30-something New Yorker.

After she was snubbed for that, Ryan, 62, appeared in “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail,” which also depend on Ryan’s likability to really work.

But if rom-coms aren’t your speed, she also appeared in “Courage Under Fire,” which is classic Oscar-bait, and Ryan’s performance could’ve been recognized.

Ryan’s “When Harry Met Sally…” co-star Billy Crystal has never been nominated either, though he’s hosted the show nine times.Billy Crystal.

Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images

Crystal is an iconic comedian and actor. He’s won five Emmy Awards from dozens of nominations, has a Tony Award, and multiple Grammy and Golden Globe nominations. He’s also universally acknowledged as one of the best hosts of the Academy Awards, a role he’s had nine times.

However, he’s never been nominated for an Oscar himself. If Meg Ryan deserved an Oscar nomination for “When Harry Met Sally…,” so did Crystal, 76.

Crystal also could’ve credibly been nominated for “City Slickers” or even “Monsters, Inc.” if the Academy recognized comedy and voice-over performances the way they should.

Daniel Craig is two-for-two on Golden Globe nominations for playing Benoit Blanc, but he still hasn’t secured an Oscar nomination.Daniel Craig.

Jeff Spicer/Getty

Craig’s iconic Southern accent is Oscar-worthy enough, but in “Knives Out” and “Glass Onion” the 56-year-old is basically unrecognizable as the same guy who played James Bond for 15 years. He also pretty much holds both films together as an audience surrogate, peering into the lifestyles of the rich and famous, while simultaneously trying to solve a murder.

But, Craig arguably could’ve scored a nod from the Academy for 2006’s “Casino Royale” as well, ushering in a new era for 007 and starring in a legitimately terrific film to boot.

Danny Glover won an honorary humanitarian award from the Academy in 2021, but his acting deserves recognition, too.Danny Glover.

Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Realistically, Glover, 77, was never going to win an Oscar for playing Roger Murtaugh in the “Lethal Weapon” franchise, even if he probably deserves it.

But he’s been in so many phenomenal movies over the course of his career, including “Dreamgirls,” “The Last Black Man in San Francisco,” “Beloved,” “To Sleep with Anger,” “The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Sorry to Bother You,” “The Dead Don’t Die,” and more. We’re so lucky to have Glover as a movie star — the Academy should take notice.

Somehow, Isabella Rossellini has never been nominated for an Oscar.Isabella Rossellini.

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

If the Oscars created an award for voice acting, perhaps the 72-year-old would’ve made it a few years ago for her heartbreaking performance as Connie in “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.” But alas, they don’t have that category yet.

But Rossellini should’ve been celebrated for other roles, like her iconic performance as the mysterious lounge singer Dorothy in “Blue Velvet,” or even in the camp classic “Death Becomes Her.”

We’d say Ewan McGregor’s biggest snub is for “Trainspotting,” though the Scottish actor has proven himself a movie star time and time again.Ewan McGregor.

Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM

McGregor has two Golden Globe movie nominations under his belt, for “Moulin Rouge!” (which also could’ve been an Oscar-nominated role) and for “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.”

But we’d say McGregor, 53, deserves the Oscar for bursting onto the scene in 1996 playing heroin addict Mark Renton in “Trainspotting.” If “Trainspotting” had been released in 2024, McGregor would’ve arguably made the cut, but the film was a little too indie, nihilistic, and ahead of its time to get recognized.

Somehow, Martin Sheen has never been nominated for an Oscar nor did he win an Emmy for “The West Wing.”Martin Sheen.

Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AFI

We’d contend that Sheen, 83, should’ve been nominated for the Vietnam War epic “Apocalypse Now,” for which he was nominated for a BAFTA. Sheen basically carries the movie, as he plays Captain Benjamin Willard, whom the movie follows as he makes his way through Vietnam on a mission.

He’s also great in “The Departed,” which is full of A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Vera Farmiga, and Jack Nicholson. You even could’ve thrown him a supporting nod for stealing scenes in “Catch Me If You Can,” which also stars DiCaprio, alongside Tom Hanks.

While Sheen’s biggest contributions now are on TV, between “The West Wing” and “Grace and Frankie,” he’s had a successful movie career and deserves recognition.

Claire Danes provided an Oscar-worthy performance in “Little Women” as Beth.Claire Danes.

Christopher Polk/Getty Images for The People’s Choice Awards

Danes, 45, is also predominantly a TV star now after “Homeland,” “The Essex Serpent,” “Fleishman Is in Trouble,” and even “My So-Called Life,” but she was turning in solid performances in the ’90s on screen, most notably in the 1994 remake of “Little Women” — only Winona Ryder as Jo was recognized by the Academy — and the 1996 Baz Luhrmann adaptation of “Romeo + Juliet.”

Idris Elba deservedly had Oscars buzz for “Beasts of No Nation” in 2015, but his performance didn’t make the cut.Idris Elba.

Joe Kohen / Getty Images

Elba, 51, is a star. He was a star on “The Wire,” in “Luther,” and even in terrible horror movies like “Prom Night.”

But in 2015, when he starred in “Beasts of No Nation,” a film about a young African boy who becomes a child soldier in his country’s civil war, it seemed like the Academy should take notice. He was nominated for a Golden Globe, a SAG Award, and a BAFTA, but Oscar voters snubbed him.

Since then, Elba has continued to generate buzz, for appearances in films like “Molly’s Game,” “The Harder They Fall,” and “Three Thousand Years of Longing,” but “Beasts of No Nation” remains his peak.

We’re still upset Pam Grier was snubbed for “Jackie Brown.”Pam Grier.

Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival

Grier has had a decades-long career in Hollywood, first appearing in many blaxploitation films in the ’70s before being truly celebrated for her talent in Quentin Tarantino’s love letter to blaxploitation in 1997’s “Jackie Brown.”

Grier, 75, plays the title character Jackie, a smuggler and flight attendant who is not to be messed with. While she and her costar Samuel L. Jackson were both nominated for Golden Globes, this was before every Tarantino movie was nominated for at least two or three Oscars, and the two were snubbed.

Like Meg Ryan, Hugh Grant wasn’t nominated for any of the three iconic rom-coms he starred in.Hugh Grant.

Juan Naharro Gimenez / Getty Images

“Notting Hill,” “About a Boy,” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral” are all some of the best examples of romantic comedies ever. But Grant’s performances were snubbed by the Academy, whether he played the nerdy (yet sweet) owner of a travel bookstore, a womanizing man-child who bonds with an actual child, or a hopeless romantic who keeps trying to run into a specific woman at various weddings.

Both “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “About a Boy” were nominated for other Oscars, but Grant was snubbed.

Grant, 63, also should’ve been nominated for his iconic performance in “Paddington 2,” but we digress.

It’s hard to believe Jim Carrey wasn’t nominated for “The Truman Show,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” or “Man on the Moon.”Jim Carrey.

Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Staff / Getty Images

You might be racing to Google to double-check that Carrey, 62, has never been nominated for an Academy Award. You’re probably thinking that surely he was nominated for playing Truman Burbank, the unsuspecting reality star who begins thinking his entire life is a lie — he definitely deserved a nomination for that, if not a win.

But, somehow, it’s true. Although Carrey took home back-to-back Golden Globes for “The Truman Show” and the Andy Kaufman biopic “Man on the Moon,” he didn’t receive a nod from the Academy for either.

His “Eternal Sunshine” co-star Kate Winslet received an Oscar nomination for the film, but Carrey was once again snubbed.

Jennifer Lopez should’ve been nominated for “Hustlers,” period.Jennifer Lopez.

Jon Kopaloff/Stringer/Getty Images

Lopez is one of Hollywood’s truest triple threats: She can act, sing, and dance. But while she’s been nominated for multiple Grammys and danced her way across the stage at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, the 54-year-old has never been nominated for an Academy Award.

That should’ve changed with 2019’s “Hustlers,” in which Lopez plays Ramona, a veteran NYC stripper who begins an operation of ripping off her rich clients by drugging and then stealing from them. She received tons of Oscar buzz, plenty of precursor nominations and wins, including a Golden Globe nomination, but she didn’t make the final five that year.

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The author, Leo Aquino.

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• Reading financial jargon at 18 was overwhelming, so I just signed whatever I needed to sign to start classes.
• Unlike federal student loans, private loans are not covered by student loan forgiveness plans. 
• I fear that I’ll never be able to own a home because of my student loans, but I’m focusing on solutions.

When I was 18, I was already overwhelmed with the amount of choices I needed to make.

Which career path should I pursue? Which school will I choose? Do I go with the school that gave me the most scholarships, or the one that offers programs I’m more interested in? How am I going to mentally, emotionally, and physically prepare to move out of my parents’ house for the first time?

With all that to think about, researching student loans was the last thing I wanted to think about. All I wanted to do was start building a career and a life that I was passionate about as soon as possible. According to my school, I was eligible for federal student loans, but they weren’t enough to cover the cost of my tuition.

Thankfully, my mom helped me by cosigning my student loans. However, reading financial jargon at 18 was really overwhelming, and I just signed whatever I needed to sign in order to start classes.

Here’s how signing a private student loan changed my life.

I have barely made a dent in the principal amount of the loan 10 years later

For the longest time, I was too ashamed and guilty about my circumstances to even look at my Navient account. Once I finally checked it, I realized that the principal balance had actually increased, even though I had been making regular payments.

Because I went through financial hardship, I put my loans in forbearance for a few months. During that time, my loans racked up capitalized interest. To be honest, if my mom’s credit wasn’t on the line, I would opt out of paying my Navient bill just to build myself a healthy emergency fund. 

Student loan refinancing can lower your interest rate and help you pay down your loan faster. Get prequalified without impacting your credit score today.

I’m afraid I’ll never be able to save for big milestones

Because my monthly payments are so high, I’m afraid I’ll never be able to buy a home or start my own family. Every time I make my monthly payments, I fantasize about how I can use that money for family planning instead, especially since fertility treatments for LGBTQIA+ people are sometimes not covered by health insurance.

Because I don’t have good credit, I feel trapped in a cycle of paying debt and watching my savings dwindle because I can’t afford to deal with emergencies. Unlike federal loans, private student loans will not be forgiven under any forgiveness plan that comes to fruition.

Once I realized how predatory the student loan system really is, I decided to focus on solutions

Earlier this year, I learned that a survey from the Student Debt Crisis Center, in partnership with Savi, found that 89% of fully employed borrowers aren’t financially secure enough to make their student loan payments. Seeing that number — 89% — helped me realize that I’m not alone in struggling with my student loan debt and that giant student loan companies don’t really care about our quality of life.

Once I stopped blaming myself for signing those papers without reading them, I was able to focus on solutions. In 2022, I plan to start by refinancing my student loans for a shorter repayment time and lower interest rates. I’m also going to work with a financial planner to build an emergency fund and start taking control of my finances.

Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors that serve your area in minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. Start your search now.

This article was originally published in January 2022.