We like to think of tankinis as the MVP of swim season, or the most popular kid in class: Everyone loves these crowd-pleasing two-pieces. They’re the rare style that works darn near effortlessly for every age, every figure, every activity level, every style preference and every budget.
“Tankinis are a smart, stylish alternative to your traditional extremes: a bikini or a one-piece,” says our own swimwear aficionado Jeni Doherty. “They’re modest without being overly so, they’re really easy to wear and they’re practically customizable. Tankinis come in endless colors, prints and sizes, too.”
They’re especially great for those of us who:
- aren’t quite the same size on top and bottom
- prefer mixing and matching
- want to affordably extend a swimwear wardrobe
- spend equal amounts of time in and out of the water
- like to be able to cover up a little in the sun (or show some skin for short lengths of time)
- need to accommodate a longer torso
We rounded up our best tankinis to make swimsuit shopping as easy and foolproof as possible so you can get on with the important business of actually enjoying your getaway.
THE BEST-SELLING TANKINI
If you’re a fan of Freya’s number one best-selling Deco Vibe bra, you’re for sure going to love the swim versions (it also comes in a Deco bikini).
Jeni loves the rich color options, piping, bow detail and super-amazing underwire support.
THE MOST COMFORTABLE TANKINI
“The blouse-like style is so easygoing and beautifully helps hide whatever you’d like,” says Jeni. “This one is awesome because it can be ruched up or down for different looks with the adjustable drawstrings on either side. You can almost pull it all the way down for a swimskirt sort of feel.”
THE BEST STRAPLESS TANKINI
Otherwise known as a bandini, the strapless tankini (see what they did there?) is a versatile option for anyone who doesn’t appreciate strap marks. That said, almost all bandinis come with straps, whether over the shoulder or around the neck; there are hooks inside the suits to attach them. Jeni digs Los Cabos for its sweet yet minimalist good looks and peekaboo keyhole detail in back.
THE HOTTEST HALTER
“Halter tops provide a youthful look in general, so of course the same can be said of a halter tankini,” says Jeni. Angled nautical stripes and a duo of deftly deployed buttons don’t hurt, either.
THE BEACH-TO-BOARDWALK BEAUTY
Magicsuit Kaleidoscope Jodi Tankini
High-neck tankinis are a brilliant pick because a) you can wear them like a shirt for quick excursions back into civilization and b) they better protect the sunburn-prone. “A lot of vendors are offering more and more cuts like to this in response to an outpouring of customer concern over skin cancer,” says Jeni. More happy years by the seaside? We’re on board with that, like, yesterday.
Brooke Glassberg
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