Skip the changing-room meltdown! The best bikinis to buy now

When discussing the dreaded bikini shop, my junior colleague and comrade-in-fashion-arms Isabella Manganas has a simple philosophy: fit is everything. There is nothing worse than a bikini that digs into, well, anything. We'd know. We have been through the wringer. Some of us have been known to avoid bikini shopping altogether, which is how you end up packing a pair of bottoms tinier than the micro styles below for a family holiday with no backup plan.

Manganas' pro tip? If a changing room is out of the question, order two sizes at once and return whichever doesn't work. I'll let you in on a personal secret: I do my bikini shopping at the end of summer, when I'm tan, more accustomed to seeing myself semi-nude and, crucially, more likely to find something at a fraction of the original price. The catch is that you're betting on your size still being available. Worth the gamble, in my opinion.

Regardless, the single most important thing that shaped this edit is the fact that very few of us need the same size on top and bottom. That's why most of the suggestions below are sold separately, with the price collated for both pieces. All in order to ensure zero slipping bandeau tops or nipping string bikinis this summer.

Related: I tried the controversial 2026 tankini trend and I might never wear a normal bikini again

1. Size up for comfort: If between sizes, always size up. Swimwear that digs into the skin creates a "bubble" effect.

2. Shop separates: Very few women are the same size on top and bottom. Purchasing separates ensures a customised fit that prevents slipping.

3. The "dry" test: Remember that most fabrics expand slightly when wet. However, if a bikini feels loose when dry, it will sag when wet.

4. Check the lining: Always choose double-lined fabrics, particularly for white or light-coloured bikinis, to prevent transparency after swimming.

5. Consider your "colour season": Neutrals aren't one-size-fits-all. Bright whites suit cool undertones, while earthy browns and creams flatter warmer complexions.

Few things earn their place in a wardrobe as reliably as a neutral bikini, but a black bikini or white bikini is not the universal solution it is sometimes made out to be. A good starting point is your colour season. If yours calls for softer, warmer tones rather than stark contrast, black may wash you out where a brown bikini won't. The colour has been taking over swimwear for a few seasons now, bringing a luxe, bohemian quality to the bikini drawer.

Whatever neutral you land on, it is worth knowing that bikinis in these colourways are among the easiest to mix and match. Most swimwear is made from a uniform fabric, which means the bottoms from one brand will often sit seamlessly alongside the top from another. It is also, frankly, a practical consideration: while a bikini top can be worn for several days running, you will want to swap your bottoms daily, so having separates from different sets gives you more to work with.

One rule that applies specifically to white bikinis: always check that it is double-lined. A single layer of white fabric and a body of water is a see-through disaster waiting to happen.

Related: These are the 12 Scandi swimwear brands you need to know

If your neutral base is covered, consider adding some colour to your bikini rotation. For most of us, swimwear is where we are most willing to experiment, reaching for a hot pink or a cobalt blue that we would never consider in our day-to-day wardrobe. And it turns out colourful bikinis are more wearable than they get credit for. A sky blue, a butter yellow or a deep burgundy are all considerably easier to pull off than you might expect.

There is also something to be said for the getting-ready factor. A colourful bikini brings a dopamine kick to packing a suitcase, and looks just as good peeking out from under a white linen shirt or a sarong as it does on the beach. Consider this permission to be a little more adventurous than usual.

Prints and patterns have always earned their place in the bikini drawer, and for good reason. They are the easiest way to lean into mismatched swimwear, pairing a floral top on a black base with plain black bottoms, for example. They also happen to be the best vehicle when we want to live out our full Mediterranean fantasies. There is something about a gingham bikini on the French Riviera or a floral print on the Amalfi Coast that no solid colour can quite replicate.

The one caveat is longevity. A printed bikini will rarely outlast a classic mono-colour in your rotation. Having said that, I am still wearing the tomato-printed bikini I bought two summers ago at the height of the Tomato Girl aesthetic and I feel like an absolute snack every time I put it on.

There is a reason string bikinis are the most common style on the market. They are flattering, adjustable and, with a ruched edge you can shift back and forth, a single size will provide a decent fit for most people. Really, the case for them is simple.

The case against them is that they can be... a little boring. Which is why we're excited to see a new generation of string bikinis step onto the beach. Extra long wrap-around straps that tie and drape have been having a moment, and so have the layered styles, piling strap upon strap for a surprisingly sultry pair of swimmers. Neither are the most practical option for a full day of sunbathing, but the effect they create is worth it.

Sadly, the true bandeau bikini is not made for those of us who have been blessed in the chest department. The styles with a removable strap offer a middle ground, but the full effect is really reserved for those with itsy-bitsy bits. If you are working with a little more volume up top, all is not lost. Look for styles with silicone grip along the inner edge, which will do a considerable amount of the structural work that straps usually handle, or an underwire bandeau if you need more convincing support.

What it does offer, however, is practically unmatched for a certain type of holiday maker: the dedicated sun worshipper with no intention of playing dolphin in the water. With next to no visible tan line, it is the closest thing to an all-over result you will find in the bikini category. The whole point of this bikini is maximum sun exposure, and that comes with consequences so pair with a high-SPF sunscreen.

Few bikini styles make you feel quite as secure as a high-waisted one. It hugs in all the right places, and a little ruching or a sturdy fabric will take care of any tummy-control concerns. One practical note: high-waisted styles have a tendency to run small in the waist even when the hip fits, so sizing up is worth considering before you commit.

Worth keeping in mind for this category is that a high-waisted bottom is, for once, the star of the show. In most other bikini scenarios it plays a supporting role, which means this is where it truly gets to shine through prints and design details.There is also a retro glamour to the silhouette that is hard to manufacture in any other style, the kind that conjures Club 55 in its heyday and every sun-drenched photograph ever taken on the St Tropez waterfront.

On the other end of the spectrum from the high-waisted bikini sits the thong. Sporty, often high-leg and, as someone with wider hips, the style that makes me feel that much more athletic. Like the bandeau, it is an excellent choice for the dedicated sun worshipper, delivering the most coverage-free tan of any bottom style in this edit.

It is also, it has to be said, one of those bikinis that requires some confidence to wear. But that confidence is easier to come by than you might think, and the silhouette does a lot of the leg-work for you (literally) What it will not forgive is a poorly fitted waistband. Too tight and it digs in, too loose and it shifts, and unlike other styles there is very little fabric to hide either problem. Get the fit right from the start and everything else follows.

I will admit this is the category I have the least personal experience with. I do own a Klein blue micro bikini that has yet to see the light of day, but perhaps this is the summer to change that. It is, after all, the trendiest silhouette in swimwear right now, and the brief is simple: as minimal as possible without leaning lewd.

The style has history behind it. The modern bikini arrived in 1946, and within a couple of decades Brazil had taken it somewhere considerably smaller, developing a thong-like style so minimal it earned the nickname fio dental, which translates, rather aptly, as dental floss. By the mid-seventies the micro bikini had its first recognisable moment, and it has been evolving ever since, most recently through social media and a far wider range of bodies wearing it than the style was originally associated with. That shift is part of what has made it feel newly relevant.

To find your most flattering fit, consider these structural recommendations:

For pear shapes (Narrower shoulders, wider hips)
Draw the eye upward with embellished or brightly colored tops. High-cut leg openings help elongate the legs.

For large busts (Fuller chest)
Look for wide straps, underwire, and molded cups. Avoid string-only halter necks that can cause neck strain.

For athletic shapes (Straight silhouette)
Create the illusion of curves with ruffles, side ties, and cutout details. String bikinis are excellent for adding visual volume.

Are recycled bikinis durable?
Yes. Most sustainable brands use Econyl, a regenerated nylon made from ocean waste. It is often more resistant to chlorine and sunscreen oils than traditional nylon. Most importantly, through, is to take care of your swimwear. Always:

• Rinse immediately. Saltwater and chlorine degrade elasticity. Always rinse in cold fresh water after use.
• Skip the machine. Hand wash with specialty swimwear detergent.
• Dry in shade. Direct sunlight can fade vibrant pigments and weaken spandex fibres.

Discover our complete guide to washing of your swimsuit and making sure it lasts.

How do I prevent my white bikini from becoming see-through?
Look for "double-lining" in the product description. High-quality swimwear brands will use a thick interior mesh or a second layer of the primary fabric to ensure opacity even when saturated with water.

What is the best bikini for active beach days?
If you plan on swimming or playing beach sports, look for fixed-back tops (sports bra style) or underwired options. Brands like Hunza G are excellent because their textured fabric provides extra grip against the skin.

Are high-waisted bikinis still in style for 2026?
Absolutely. The high-waisted silhouette has transitioned from a "trend" to a staple. It provides excellent mid-section support and creates a classic 1950s cinematic silhouette.

Is it better to buy chlorine-resistant fabric?
If you primarily swim in pools, yes. Chlorine-resistant fabric (often labeled as PBT) maintains its shape and colour significantly longer than standard Lycra or Spandex, which can become "crunchy" or lose elasticity over time.