Claire's Picks

Bikinis Worth Packing Worth Adding to the Rotation

Packing for a trip and realizing your bikinis are either tired, ill-fitting, or belong to a version of yourself from three summers ago is a specific kind of disappointment. We've been editing this category with that exact problem in mind. A great bikini does several things at once: it fits properly across both pieces, it photographs well, and it holds up past the first wash without going limp or losing its shape. That last part matters more than people admit. We've pulled together styles across cuts and coverage levels because not everyone wants the same thing from a bikini and there is no single correct answer here. Some of these are bold. Some are quietly flattering in a way that takes a minute to understand why. All of them are worth the suitcase space. The best bikini is the one you stop second-guessing the moment you actually have it on.

Claire's Top Picks

Bikinis Worth a Spot in the Case STEVE MADDEN Steve Madden Women's Chevron Shine Bikini Bottom - Purple - Size - PolyesterNylon Jump to section ↓

£64.00 STEVE MADDEN

Yellow Bikinis Worth Bringing Along PLAYALUXE US Capri Ruched Underwire Bikini Top Yellow Jump to section ↓

£108.00 PLAYALUXE US

Bikinis Worth a Spot in the Case

Packing a bikini is one of those decisions that follows you for the entire trip. A bad one means adjusting the top every twenty minutes or tugging the bottoms back into place every time you get out of the water. We have no patience for that. The bikinis we actually want to pack are the ones with proper structure, thought-out coverage, and a design that holds its shape in actual ocean conditions rather than just looking good in a flat lay. That means underwired tops that stay put, bottoms with enough fabric to be worn with confidence, and colorways that look as good on day five as they did when you first pulled them out. Some of our picks are classic and clean. Some make more of a statement. All of them were chosen because they solve the actual problem of a bikini that performs as well as it looks. Suitcase space is earned. These deserve it.

STEVE MADDEN Steve Madden Women's Chevron Shine Bikini Bottom - Purple - Size - PolyesterNylon £64.00 STEVE MADDEN

PLANET BLUE CORP Mapale Ruched Bandeau Bikini with Tie £43.90 PLANET BLUE CORP

CALZEDONIA Calzedonia Minimal Fit Bikini Thong Woman Pink Size TU £40.00 CALZEDONIA

CERQULAR Natalie Bikini Top in Pink Blush £108.00 CERQULAR

STEVE MADDEN Steve Madden Women's Sleek 'n Chic Bikini Bottom - Black - Size - PolyesterNylon £52.00 STEVE MADDEN

CERQULAR Natalie Bikini Top With Wide Straps in Navy £108.00 CERQULAR

CERQULAR Natalie Bikini Top in Sage Green £108.00 CERQULAR

CALZEDONIA Calzedonia Minimal Fit Bikini Thong Woman Nude Size TU £40.00 CALZEDONIA

CALZEDONIA Calzedonia Minimal Fit Bikini Thong Woman Brown Size TU £40.00 CALZEDONIA

GODDIVA Goddiva Self-tie Brazilian Bikini Bottoms £15.00 GODDIVA

SHOPBOP RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Bronzer Bikini Beach .oz . mL £38.00 SHOPBOP

W CONCEPT (US) TOFFE HALTER NECK BIKINI SET £160.00 W CONCEPT (US)

Yellow Bikinis Worth Bringing Along

Yellow is the bravest color you can wear on a beach and also, somehow, the most flattering. It catches light in a way that makes skin glow regardless of tone, and it reads as confident without trying too hard. We've been genuinely obsessed with yellow bikinis for a while now because they photograph beautifully and look even better in person, which is a rarer combination than it should be. The problem with buying a yellow bikini is that not every shade is created equal. Mustard reads warm and grounded. Bright lemon feels fresh and bold. Pale butter is soft and genuinely lovely on almost anyone. We've pulled together favorites across all those shades and across different silhouettes too, from high waisted bottoms that give real coverage to minimal triangle tops that commit fully to the look. These are the yellow bikinis we'd actually pack. The ones that earn their place in the bag.

PLAYALUXE US Capri Ruched Underwire Bikini Top Yellow £108.00 PLAYALUXE US