Claire's Picks

Bikinis Worth Packing Worth the Closer Look

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Most bikinis look fine on a hanger and disappointing in person. That gap between the two is exactly what we are trying to close here. A great bikini earns its price tag not just by looking good in a photograph but by actually fitting, holding its shape through a full day in the water, and making you want to wear it again tomorrow. We care about the cut around the bust, the way the bottoms sit, whether the hardware rusts after two swims. The practical stuff, because that is what separates a bikini you treasure from one you abandon on the second day of a trip. We have pulled together styles across silhouettes, from minimal triangle sets to more structured underwire options for people who need real support in the water. Bold colors, classic neutrals, interesting prints. All of them photographed well and held up under scrutiny. These are the bikinis that reward the closer look.

Claire's Top Picks

Bikinis Worth Bringing Along WHITE FOX BOUTIQUE US Damani Bikini Top White Jump to section ↓

£54.99 WHITE FOX BOUTIQUE US

Bikinis Worth the Tan Lines PLANET BLUE CORP Vedette Lea Bodysuit in Bikini - Nude Jump to section ↓

£60.00 PLANET BLUE CORP

Bikinis You'll Be Glad You Packed UNIQLO USA UNIQLO Women's Bikini Briefs Pointelle, Gray Jump to section ↓

£7.90 UNIQLO USA

Women's Swimwear Coverups Tank Sundresses Beach Spaghetti Strap Dress Bikini Cover Up Swing Strap Dresses with Pockets - Zeagoo - Navy Blue L-

Navy Bikinis You'll Be Glad You Packed ZEAGOO Women's Swimwear Coverups Tank Sundresses Beach Spaghetti Strap Dress Bikini Cover Up Swing Strap Dresses with Pockets - Zeagoo - Navy Blue L- Jump to section ↓

£24.99 ZEAGOO

Padded Bikinis Worth the Tan Lines CERQULAR Ray Bikini Top Jump to section ↓

£18.50 CERQULAR

Polka Dot Bikinis Worth Bringing Along SHOPBOP Leslie Amon Maya Polka Bikini Top White Polka Jump to section ↓

£140.00 SHOPBOP

Push Up Bikinis Worth a Spot in the Case SHOPBOP STYLEST Lia Burke Push Up Bikini Top Greek Stripes Jump to section ↓

£168.00 SHOPBOP

Bikinis Worth Bringing Along

WHITE FOX BOUTIQUE US Damani Bikini Top White £54.99 WHITE FOX BOUTIQUE US

RAMY BROOK Bethany Embellished Bikini Bottom in Radiant pink £118.00 RAMY BROOK

HUNKEMOLLER US Hunkemöller Luxe padded Underwired Bikini Top Black £47.00 HUNKEMOLLER US

W CONCEPT (US) Floral Ribbon Bikini [Blue] £120.00 W CONCEPT (US)

VOGHION GLOBAL Women's Clothing Bikini Underwire Swimsuit Three point Sexy Swimsuit Women's Gradient Color £12.50 VOGHION GLOBAL

PLAYALUXE US Palermo Underwire Bikini Top Black £98.00 PLAYALUXE US

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

PLANET BLUE CORP Mapale Underwire Adjustable Top and Side-Tie Bottom Crochet Print Bikini Plus Size £39.00 PLANET BLUE CORP

WHITE FOX BOUTIQUE US Destino Bikini Top Watermelon Daiquiri £54.99 WHITE FOX BOUTIQUE US

PLANET BLUE CORP Mapale Underwire Ruched Top with Tortoise Beads and Ruched Bottom Bikini £45.90 PLANET BLUE CORP

NATORI Discreet Bikini £28.00 NATORI

NATORI Scope French Bikini £12.00 NATORI

Bikinis Worth the Tan Lines

PLANET BLUE CORP Vedette Lea Bodysuit in Bikini - Nude £60.00 PLANET BLUE CORP

SELDOM SEEN STYLES Sexy High Waist Bikini Set £24.00 SELDOM SEEN STYLES

FLORALKINI Contrast Colorblock String Halter Triangle Tie Side Bikini Set - Pink £33.99 FLORALKINI

FLORALKINI Textured Triangle Halter Tie Side Bikini Bottoms & Maxi Skirt - Black £35.99 FLORALKINI

HAMPDEN CLOTHING Skylar Bikini £306.00 HAMPDEN CLOTHING

SELDOM SEEN STYLES Stripe Print Push up Bikini Set £23.00 SELDOM SEEN STYLES

STEVE MADDEN Steve Madden Women's Sleek 'n Chic High Waisted Bikini Bottom Cherry - Cherry Red - Size - PolyesterNylon £58.00 STEVE MADDEN

CERQULAR Recycled bikini top Ohau £46.80 CERQULAR

MEMOI Pair Women's Seamless Pointelle Tag-Free No-Show Bikini Panties - Asst- Naval Academy White Cayenne White Turbulance £38.00 MEMOI

STEVE MADDEN Steve Madden Women's Super Multi Bikini Cover-Up Mesh - Bloom - Size £60.00 STEVE MADDEN

HAMPDEN CLOTHING Orelia Bikini Bottom £125.00 HAMPDEN CLOTHING

MEMOI Pair Women's Seamless Pin-Rib Tag-Free Bikini Panties - Asst- Black Chocolate Torte Fig Egret Lilas £38.00 MEMOI

Bikinis You'll Be Glad You Packed

UNIQLO USA UNIQLO Women's Bikini Briefs Pointelle, Gray £7.90 UNIQLO USA

ACCESSORIZE UK Women's Metal Detail Bikini Top Black Sleeveless Stretchy Nylon, Size: £17.50 ACCESSORIZE UK

DRESTIGE US Me Fui - Bikini Top Beigefuxia M-X £206.15 DRESTIGE US

UNIQLO USA UNIQLO Women's Bikini Briefs Pointelle, Off White, Medium £7.90 UNIQLO USA

PRINTERVAL Michael Myers Women's Bikini Set - Horror Character Swimwear £14.99 PRINTERVAL

EGO US CA Contrast Lace Trim Triangle Bikini Set In Gold Metallic, Women's Size £28.00 EGO US CA

EGO US CA High Leg Crinkle Detail Brazilian Bikini Bottoms In Green, Women's Size £19.00 EGO US CA

TANGSEM, LLC Personalize Photo Funny Face Star Women's Bikini One Piece Bathing Suit £109.00 TANGSEM, LLC

THE PERIOD COMPANY The Swim. Teen Bikini £28.00 THE PERIOD COMPANY

PRINTERVAL Custom Beach Sarong Wrap With Faces, Face Beach Sarongs Wrap, Face Women's Beach Bikini Sarong £13.95 PRINTERVAL

CERQULAR Women bikini bottoms Kauai £24.70 CERQULAR

EGO US CA Underwired Frill Detail Bikini Set In Pink Floral Print, Women's Size £32.00 EGO US CA

Navy Bikinis You'll Be Glad You Packed

Navy does something that black cannot quite manage. It reads as deliberate rather than default, flattering against every skin tone, and sharp in photographs in a way that holds up even in bright midday sun. We have always thought navy was the most underrated color in swimwear, and this collection is the argument for that. These are the bikinis we actually want to pack, not the ones that seem like a good idea in January and then disappoint in real light on a real beach. The cuts here range from minimal and modern to styles with a little more coverage and support, because a good navy bikini edit should work for more than one body and more than one trip. Some of these are investment pieces that will last several summers without fading into something sad and washed out. Others are brilliant value. All of them look considered. Navy earns its place in every suitcase it makes it into.

ZEAGOO Women's Swimwear Coverups Tank Sundresses Beach Spaghetti Strap Dress Bikini Cover Up Swing Strap Dresses with Pockets - Zeagoo - Navy Blue L- £24.99 ZEAGOO

Women's Swimwear Coverups Tank Sundresses Beach Spaghetti Strap Dress Bikini Cover Up Swing Strap Dresses with Pockets - Zeagoo - Navy Blue S

ZEAGOO Women's Swimwear Coverups Tank Sundresses Beach Spaghetti Strap Dress Bikini Cover Up Swing Strap Dresses with Pockets - Zeagoo - Navy Blue S £24.99 ZEAGOO

GODDIVA Goddiva Side Tie Bikini With Buckle Detail £30.00 GODDIVA

VERONICA BEARD Veronica Beard Solara Bikini Bottom Navy Multi £148.00 VERONICA BEARD

YUMMIE Yummie Gaia High Waist Bikini Bottom Swimsuit £5.00 YUMMIE

VERONICA BEARD Veronica Beard Solara Bikini Top Navy Multi £138.00 VERONICA BEARD

SUPERDRY US Superdry Women's Women's 's Varsity Bikini Bottoms Navy £12.25 SUPERDRY US

SUPERDRY US Superdry Women's Logo Triangle Bikini Top Navy £44.95 SUPERDRY US

UNIQLO USA UNIQLO Women's Bikini Briefs One Point, Navy, Medium £7.90 UNIQLO USA

SUPERDRY US Superdry Women's Sd & co Classic Bikini Bottoms Navy £37.95 SUPERDRY US

UNIQLO USA UNIQLO Women's Bikini Briefs Cherry, Navy, Small £7.90 UNIQLO USA

COTTON ON US Body - Full Bikini Bottom - Ella stripe rib navy £29.99 COTTON ON US

Padded Bikinis Worth the Tan Lines

Padding in a bikini top is not a vanity choice. It is a practical one. It creates shape where you want it, smooths out asymmetry, and means you can actually move in the water without a second thought about what is happening up top. We are firm believers that a well padded bikini top does more for confidence on the beach than almost any other single piece of swimwear. The problem is finding ones where the padding actually sits correctly, holds its position, and does not turn into two soggy foam discs after one swim. That is what this edit is about. We have pulled together the styles where the construction is genuinely good, the shapes are flattering across a range of sizes, and the prints and colorways are worth planning an outfit around. Some are simple and classic. Some are bold enough to be the whole point of the look. All of them are worth committing to the tan lines.

CERQULAR Ray Bikini Top £18.50 CERQULAR

UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM Abigail Bikini Set £40.61 UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM

CALZEDONIA Calzedonia Padded Push-Up Bikini Top Shiny Satin Woman Blue Size £65.00 CALZEDONIA

W CONCEPT (US) Line Detailed Deep Side Padded Bikini Bra £89.00 W CONCEPT (US)

FLORALKINI White Balconette Underwire Bikini Top £19.99 FLORALKINI

SELDOM SEEN STYLES Seaside Sand Dunes Leopard Print Bikini Set £28.00 SELDOM SEEN STYLES

W CONCEPT (US) Fairy Shirring Bikini Top £111.00 W CONCEPT (US)

CERQULAR Laguna Bikini Top £14.80 CERQULAR

MEMOI Women's Love Luna Bikini Brief Full Coverage Period Panty - Large Black £24.00 MEMOI

RAMY BROOK Leyla Scalloped Underwire Bikini Top in Black £118.00 RAMY BROOK

RAMY BROOK Iryna Embellished Underwire Bikini Top in Beach brown £138.00 RAMY BROOK

CALZEDONIA Calzedonia Bandeau Bikini Top Shiny Satin Woman Red Size £65.00 CALZEDONIA

Polka Dot Bikinis Worth Bringing Along

Polka dots on a bikini should feel retro in the best possible way, not costume-y or trying too hard. That line is thin and we've spent real time finding the pieces that land on the right side of it. The pattern has genuine staying power because it works across body types, scales up or down depending on the size of the dot, and reads as playful without sacrificing anything in terms of polish. A well chosen polka dot bikini photographs beautifully poolside and looks just as good in person. We've pulled together styles across different cuts and colorways, from classic black and white to bolder combinations that actually hold their own in strong sun. Some are better for serious swimming. Some are purely for looking good on a lounger. All of them earn their place in a vacation bag. Polka dots never really went away, they just needed a better edit.

SHOPBOP Leslie Amon Maya Polka Bikini Top White Polka £140.00 SHOPBOP

KARL LAGERFELD (US) Karl Lagerfeld - Polka Dot Triangle Bikini Top, Woman, Size: Xs £89.95 KARL LAGERFELD (US)

KARL LAGERFELD (US) Karl Lagerfeld - Polka Dot Cheeky Bikini Bottom, Woman, Size: Xs £79.95 KARL LAGERFELD (US)

PRINTERVAL Yellow Polka Dot Bikini On Kraft shirts £11.95 PRINTERVAL

HARVEY NICHOLS US Damson Madder Spot-print Shirred Bikini Briefs - Yellow - £23.18 HARVEY NICHOLS US

STEVE MADDEN Steve Madden Women's Darling Dot Bikini Top - Black Multi - Size - PolyesterNylon £66.00 STEVE MADDEN

EGO US CA Triangle Bikini Set In Blue Polka Dot, Women's Size £20.00 EGO US CA

EGO US CA Twist Front Boomerang Bikini Set In Chocolate Brown Polka Dot, Women's Size £28.00 EGO US CA

COTTON ON US Body - Dip Front High Side Brazilian Bikini Bottom - Missy spot seaside blue £29.99 COTTON ON US

JOE BROWNS Women's Amare La Vita Bikini Top - Size - Red - by Joe Browns £30.00 JOE BROWNS

HARVEY NICHOLS US Damson Madder Spot-print Shirred Bikini Briefs - Yellow - S £23.18 HARVEY NICHOLS US

VOGHION GLOBAL Bikini Polka Dot Print Sexy Bikini Split Swimsuit £12.30 VOGHION GLOBAL

Push Up Bikinis Worth a Spot in the Case

A good push up bikini top does something structurally clever and makes it look effortless. That combination is harder to find than it should be. The padding and construction lift and shape without announcing themselves, which is the whole point. We have spent real time testing these because the difference between a push up top that works and one that just looks hopeful in the product photo is enormous. What we are looking for is a top that stays put in the water, creates genuine shape rather than just the suggestion of it, and pairs with a bottom that actually fits the same body the top was designed for. These are the ones that passed. Styles that work for smaller busts that want more presence and fuller busts that want better support and lift. Some are understated enough to wear with linen shorts at lunch. Some are unapologetically maximalist. All of them justify their place in the case before the zip even closes.

SHOPBOP STYLEST Lia Burke Push Up Bikini Top Greek Stripes £168.00 SHOPBOP