Swimsuit shopping: the pre-summer task that’s always a little more complicated than it should be. It seems like it should be simple to find a suit that works for you, but these days, there’s a seemingly endless number of styles and options to choose from – and for a reason. Sure, we all know that one person who rocks any look on the beach, but most of us have a bathing suit style that works best. We just have to find it.
So with summer coming on hot and fast right now, it’s time to start looking for your beach look. Of course, there’s always the first choice between a one-piece or a two-piece suit, and many people prefer to have a couple of each. Between one’s and two-piece suits, there are nearly too many styles to even count. Next time, we’ll get into the one piece options, but today, we’re focusing on the ladder. Here’s a guide to what’s hot for two-piece swimsuits right now, and what style might just become your magic look this summer.
Picking The Perfect Suit
Before we break down some of the summer’s hot two-piece swimsuit styles, here’s a few quick tips on sizing and styling.
- Try something new. Swimsuit styles can change drastically from year to year, and so can we! Whether you’ve changed physically, or you’re simply ready for a different look, sometimes it’s worth taking a chance on a suit that you might have said “no way” to the year before. You’ll never know how it looks and feels until you try it on.
- Sizing up is risky. Of course, no one wants a swimsuit that’s too tight or too small. That can be a risky game in itself. But if you feel that you’re right in between sizes, we recommend you go with the smaller size for a couple of reasons. The first is that swimsuits expand slightly when they’re wet. The second is that, while with some clothing items a size up can be more flattering, with bathing suits, that’s not typically the case. A loose bathing suit that’s supposed to have a tighter fit could end up sagging in places you really don’t want it to, and a bathing suit that’s flapping around while you swim also isn’t ideal. Try to get the closest fit to your size, but if you’re undecided, go with the smaller one. Trust us here.
- Don’t just follow the trends. It’s easy to see a swimsuit style that everybody seems to be wearing and think you need it too, but if it’s not the right fit for your body and style, you’ll end up regretting it and won’t feel the confidence you deserve to feel in a great swimsuit. Instead, keep in mind that each year, there are several swimsuit styles that are in; it’s not just that one that you saw on Instagram or at the beach. And there are definitely some swimsuits that simply never go out of style. So no matter what you choose, make sure you’re not just blindly following what’s popular unless it’s really the right one for you.
And with that, we’ll take a look at some two piece swimwear options that you could rock this summer.
The Halter Top Swimsuit
We’ll start with the classic halter top swimsuit, defined broadly as any swimsuit that runs up around the back of the neck rather than having straps that attach the bathing suit from front to back. Halter tops are one kind of swimsuit that will just about never go out of style; it’s just up to you to choose the pattern and look that you’re going for. If you have a smaller chest, halter tops can be your friend by accentuating the area and making it appear bigger. A patterned top helps in this department as well by giving the area some dimension. If you definitely don’t have a small chest, the good news is halter tops will work for you, too, as they can provide fairly good support compared to many other two-piece styles. With a bigger bust, you may want to go for a halter top with wider straps rather than strings, as many bikinis have. This will just provide a bit of extra support and peace of mind.
Underwire Tops
Two-piece Solid & Striped bikinis with an underwire top can look great on anyone, but they’re particularly useful for those who are well-endowed in the chest. When most people think of an underwire bikini top, they’re thinking of the support they can provide, and they’re spot on in that train of thought. With an underwire top, you’ll rarely feel like you’re falling out of your swimsuit. It not only keeps things in place, but also does the heavy lifting when it comes to providing shape and support. If you ever feel saggy in your day-to-day life, you won’t when you’re wearing an underwire top. And with over-the-shoulder straps, as they often have, it helps evenly distribute the weight so you won’t end up with a sore neck after a day in the sun.
Surf Shirts
A two-piece swimsuit doesn’t necessarily mean a bikini. If you’re looking for something different, or sporty, or, particularly, if you have any surfing plans at all, a surf shirt is the way to go. These are great for a number of reasons: they can protect you a little from cold water, they’re perfect for any amount of movement, and they provide all the support you could ever need with their form-fitting style. If you’re athletic and plan to get active in the water, or even if you just love the surf style look, then a surf shirt is the perfect choice for your beach attire.
High Waisted Bottoms
While we don’t want to discourage anyone from getting a swimsuit that speaks to them, high waisted bottoms can be tricky. If you’re curvy or pear-shaped, high waisted bottoms are extremely flattering. But if you have a straighter body shape, a pair of high waisted bottoms might make your body look straighter than you’d desire and could give you a more rectangular appearance. But, of course, here’s the catch: if you have a straight body shape with small hips, but you also have a long torso, high waisted bottoms will work in your favor. If you don’t have a long torso, you’re at risk of looking a little straight and flat, and the high-waisted nature of the swimsuit might even make you look shorter without an extra-long torso. So before you grab a pair of high waisted bottoms, consider the look you’re going for.
More Styles
- Tankini: Not ready to show all the skin? You’re in luck. Tankinis, two-piece swimsuits that are more like a pair of bottoms with a tank top, allow you to show as much skin as you want. You can get a tankini that provides as much coverage as a one-piece, or tankinis that are like a crop top, with various lengths available.
- Board shorts: If you’re looking for that surfer vibe but don’t want to go with a surf shirt, this is your alternative. Or, if you want to take the surfer vibe up a notch, add board shorts to your fit. You can find board shorts in varying lengths, but no matter which you choose, you’re guaranteed to look cool.
- Bandeau tops: Small-chested ladies, we’re talking to you here. You’re lucky to get to rock bandeaus, as it can be difficult the bigger you are up there. Bandeaus are another style that are hard to miss on; it seems they’re a top look every year. If you have bigger busts, you can still rock a bandeau, it just depends on what level of support you’re ok with!
At the end of the day, no matter what style you choose, the most important factor is whether you feel confident and cool in your two-piece swimwear. If you feel good, you look good. Happy summer!