If you wrote off the tankini sometime around 2005 and never looked back, we understand. But the versions now arriving for summer has very little in common with its early-aughts predecessor. With potential to be worn beyond the water, our shopping desk has gathered the trendiest tankini sets, tops and silhouettes to wear in 2026. Trust us, your swimwear drawer is about to get a lot more interesting
For a brief, glorious moment in the early 2000s, the tankini was everywhere: at every lido, on every girls' holiday, stuffed into the bottom of every beach bag alongside a tube of Ambre Solaire. It was the halcyon days of Billabong and Roxy, and – in the same way we wore Vans and carried skateboards we didn't know how to ride – the sporty, surf-adjacent tankini helped us all pretend we knew how to catch a gnarly wave.
Then came the string bikini, the Brazilian cut, the barely-there triangle top... and the tankini retreated into the nostalgic back corner of our swimwear drawers. That, it turns out, was a mistake. Because while we were busy adjusting uncomfortable ties and reaching for our sarongs, designers were reimagining the tankini entirely. Now, with the Y2K revival in full swing and Zara Larsson's Dolphin-core emerging as summer 2026's defining swim aesthetic, the style is firmly back on our radar.
It first started bubbling last summer, when Bella Hadid designed a tankini top for her Frankies Bikinis collaboration that sold out within days. Then Google searches for "tankini swimsuit" shot up 83 per cent year-on-year. And now the style that was once the butt of the poolside joke is the most versatile and (arguably) the most modern swimwear you can pack.
From the full sets worth investing in to the tops worth buying separately, these are the best tankinis to shop now.
What is a tankini and why is it worth revisiting?
A tankini is a two-piece swimsuit that pairs a tank-style top with a separate bikini bottom. It sits somewhere between a bikini and a one-piece, providing more coverage than the former but more freedom than the latter. The crop of the top can vary from just a few centimetres longer than a standard bikini top all the way down towards the hip, making it one of the most adaptable swimsuit styles around. Functionally, it has a lot going for it too. The close-cut, structured fabric means far less risk of slipping or shifting in the water than a standard bikini, and for sunbathing, you can always fold it up.
The best tankini sets to shop now
Why choose a tankini over a bikini or a one-piece? The answer depends entirely on who you are at the beach. If you're less devoted to horizontal sun worship and more interested in actually getting in the water, a tankini is considerably more reliable than a flimsy bikini top, safeguarding you from any poolside wardrobe malfunctions. There's also a strong case for those tepid early-summer outings, when a little extra coverage simply feels more comfortable. Mostly, though, a well-chosen tankini set is just an exceptionally versatile thing to own. Slip one on with wide-fit denim and you're dressed for an after-work dip in a city canal. Because yes, that's absolutely a thing we do in the Nordics.
The best tankini tops to buy separately
We do love a set, and for good reason: fabrics clash, colours shift ever so slightly, and a matching pair simply removes the guesswork. But matchy-matchy isn't the only way to go. Buying your top separately opens up considerably more room to mix and match as you see fit. It also gives you licence to be a little more adventurous with your purchase considering a pair of neutral string-tie bottoms works with almost every top imaginable, so knock yourself out. The best part? Every tankini top you buy doubles as a breezy tank come summertime, doing double duty in your wardrobe and saving you money in the process. It's simple girl math.
The best tankinis with built-in support
There are certain pieces in our wardrobes we rely on for both physical and mental support. A well-fitted bra with a little lift will make you feel more confident in seconds, after all. The same logic applies to swimwear. Arguably more so, given that strangers are considerably more likely to see you in your swimmers than in your intimates. Whether you're after a little boost to enhance a smaller chest or to keep a larger bust secure, a tankini with built-in support is almost certainly your best move. Often featuring a halter neck for that extra voluptuous lift, these styles tend to sidestep anything too sporty in favour of something altogether more glamorous. Think Grace Kelly on the Côte d'Azur.
The best bandeau and strapless tankinis
A word of warning before you add to cart: a strapless top, swimwear or otherwise, will never deliver the support or lift that a larger bust needs. If that's you, the built-in support styles above are a far better starting point. If you're part of the itty-bitty committee, however, this is your moment. Bandeau and strapless tankinis are made for long, unhurried days in the sun, with minimal tan lines, maximum ease and nothing digging into your shoulders. Wear yours with high-waisted bottoms for a little extra coverage, or keep things barely-there and let the top do the talking.
