The main types of swimsuit for women are the one-piece, the bikini, the tankini, the monokini, the swim dress and the sporty suit. Each one splits into cuts like high-leg, plunge, bandeau, halter or high-waisted. Pick by plan: lounging, swimming laps, surfing, or heading straight from the sand to dinner.
What Are the Main Types of Swimsuit?
The main types of swimsuit fall into two families: one-pieces, which cover the torso in a single garment, and two-pieces, where the top and bottom are separate. Every other name you see, from monokini to tankini, is a variation on one of those two.
Here is the short list most shoppers need:
- One-piece: a single garment, from classic scoop to high-leg and plunge.
- Bikini: a separate top and bottom, mixed and matched freely.
- Tankini: a longer top that reaches the bottom, paired with briefs.
- Monokini: a one-piece with cutouts at the waist or sides.
- Swim dress: a one-piece with a skirt attached at the hips.
- Sporty suit: a racerback cut made for laps and waves.
See the Rosalia Two-Piece Swimsuit →
One-Piece Swimsuit Styles Worth Knowing
One-piece swimsuit styles worth knowing include the high-leg, the plunge, the strapless, the cutout and the square neck. All of them cover the torso in one garment, but each one changes the mood of the outfit, from poolside glamour to easy beach day.
What is a high-leg one-piece?
A high-leg one-piece rises above the hip bone at the sides. It is a 90s favorite and it looks sharp with a straw tote and slide sandals. Wear it on a boat day when you want one piece and zero fuss.
What is a plunge one-piece?
A plunge one-piece dips into a deep V at the front. It reads as evening, even at noon. Add gold hoops and a wide-leg linen pant and you can walk into a beach club lunch without changing.
What is a strapless one-piece?
A strapless one-piece is a one-piece with no straps at all. It is the choice for even shoulder tan lines and for wearing under an off-shoulder cover-up. Great for lounging, less ideal for diving off rocks.
What is a monokini?
A monokini is a one-piece with cutouts, usually at the waist or the sides. From the front it can look like a bikini joined by a strip of fabric. It photographs beautifully at golden hour.
What about the square neck and scoop neck?
Square neck and scoop neck one-pieces are the quiet classics. They pair with anything, from a crochet skirt to cutoffs. If one-pieces are your lane, look at the Liora One-Piece Swimsuit, the Solene One-Piece Swimsuit, the Elara One-Piece Swimsuit and the Calypso One-Piece Swimsuit, then the Solea One-Piece Swimsuit, the Arden One-Piece Swimsuit and the Bronte One-Piece Swimsuit.
Which Bikini Style Suits Your Plans?
The right bikini style suits your plans when the top matches your activity and the bottom matches your comfort. A triangle top is perfect for lounging, a halter feels secure for paddleboarding, and high-waisted bottoms feel polished for long lunches by the pool.
Triangle bikini
Two triangles, thin ties, endless adjustment. The triangle is the easy vacation default. Pair it with a sheer kaftan and flat leather sandals for the walk to the beach bar.
Bandeau bikini
A bandeau is a straight strapless band across the chest. Best for sunbathing and avoiding strap marks. Throw a button-down shirt over it, tie the tails at the waist, done.
Halter bikini
A halter top ties behind the neck. It feels secure when you are jumping off a dock or chasing a toddler at the shoreline. It also frames the shoulders, which looks great with a slicked-back bun.
High-waisted bottoms
High-waisted bottoms sit at or above the navel and give a retro, pin-up mood. Match them with a bandeau or a halter for a 50s Riviera look, then add cat-eye sunglasses.
String and cheeky bottoms
String bottoms tie at the hips, and cheeky bottoms show a bit more. Both are tan-line minimalists. For a two-piece to start with, try the Rosalia Two-Piece Swimsuit.
What Is the Difference Between a Tankini and a Bikini?
The difference between a tankini and a bikini is the top. A tankini top is longer, like a fitted tank or a cropped camisole, and covers more of the midriff. A bikini top stops at the ribs. Both are two-pieces, so bathroom breaks stay easy.
Who loves a tankini?
Moms on a beach weekend, kayakers, and anyone who wants the ease of separates with more fabric. A tankini works well for active days: volleyball, tide pools, a long walk to a hidden cove.
What is a swim dress?
A swim dress is a one-piece with a flared skirt from the hips. It feels playful and vintage. Pair it with a big sun hat and espadrilles for a lakeside picnic or a family resort.
What are sporty suits?
Sporty suits use racerback straps, a higher neck and a clean cut so you can swim laps or catch waves. Rash guards and surf suits with long sleeves sit in this family too. They are the pick for training, not for cocktails.
See the Violet Mirage Swimsuit →
How Do You Choose a Swimsuit for Your Trip?
To choose a swimsuit for your trip, start with the main activity, then the setting, then how you will move between beach and dinner. A resort pool, a surf town and a yacht day each call for a different cut, so pack by plan, not by habit.
Use this quick chart to match your plans to a style:
| Your plan | Best type | Why it works | Pair it with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool lounging | Bandeau bikini | Even tan, no straps | Kaftan, flat sandals |
| Beach club lunch | Plunge one-piece | Reads as an outfit | Linen pants, hoops |
| Surf or paddleboard | Sporty suit | Made for motion | Rash guard, cap |
| Family beach day | Tankini or swim dress | More fabric, easy breaks | Sun hat, espadrilles |
| Yacht or boat day | High-leg one-piece | One piece, zero fuss | Sarong, slides |
How many swimsuits should you pack?
Pack at least two, so one dries while you wear the other. For a week away, three is the sweet spot: one for lounging, one for swimming, one that doubles as a top at dinner.
How to Style Your Swimsuit From Beach to Dinner
To style your swimsuit from beach to dinner, treat the one-piece as a bodysuit and the bikini top as a crop. Add a skirt, swap flip-flops for heeled sandals, and change the bag. Three swaps and the sunset table is yours.
The one-piece as a bodysuit
Tuck a one-piece into a satin midi skirt or wide-leg trousers. Add strappy sandals and a tiny shoulder bag. Pieces like the Navy Cove Swimsuit or the Violet Mirage Swimsuit become the top half of a rooftop dinner look this way.
The bikini top as a crop
Layer an open linen shirt over a bikini top, add a high-waisted skirt and a woven clutch. Perfect for a seafood shack on the harbor at 7 p.m.
When the beach day turns into an event
Beach weddings and birthday dinners need a dress, not a cover-up. Our guide on what to wear to a summer wedding as a guest covers sand-friendly hems and shoes. For the night out after, read how to choose the perfect cocktail dress, and if it is a sunset date, browse these date night dresses that make an impression.
Types of Swimsuit FAQ
What is the most popular type of swimsuit?
The most popular type of swimsuit for vacations is still a toss-up between the classic one-piece and the triangle bikini. The one-piece wins on versatility: it goes from pool to lunch with a skirt and never needs a second thought. The triangle bikini wins on tan lines and on packing light, since it folds into almost nothing. Most women who travel often end up owning both. A good rule is to buy the style you reach for at home first, then add one wildcard for the trip, maybe a plunge or a high-leg cut you would not wear to the local pool. That way you always have a safe option and one piece that feels like a vacation in itself, ready for the photo by the water.
What is the difference between a monokini and a one-piece?
The difference between a monokini and a one-piece is the cutouts. A classic one-piece covers the torso without gaps, while a monokini opens at the waist, the sides or the back, so from some angles it looks like a bikini linked by a strip of fabric. Monokinis are made for lounging and photos. They leave interesting tan lines, so plan for that if you have an event later in the week with an open-back dress. For swimming laps or playing in big waves, a classic one-piece is usually the calmer choice. Many travelers pack one of each: the monokini for the beach club and the cabana, the one-piece for the snorkel boat, the morning swim and long days at the lake.
Which types of swimsuit work best for swimming laps?
The types of swimsuit that work best for swimming laps are sporty one-pieces with a racerback, a higher neckline and a clean, close cut. Nothing to tie, nothing to adjust, nothing to drift while you push off the wall. Tankinis can work for gentle swimming, but a long top may lift in the water. Bandeau and string bikinis are made for lounging, not for flip turns. If your trip mixes laps and lounging, bring one sporty suit for the morning pool session and one fashion suit for the afternoon. Rinse both in fresh water after a swim and dry them flat in the shade. Keep a zip pouch in your beach bag for the wet one, so your book and phone stay dry on the walk back.
What should I wear over a swimsuit at a resort?
What you wear over a swimsuit at a resort depends on where you are heading next. For the walk to the pool, a sheer kaftan or a sarong tied at the hip is enough. For a beach club lunch, upgrade to linen pants or a crochet skirt and a pair of flat leather sandals. For an evening drink at the bar, swap the cover-up for a real skirt and add heeled sandals, a small shoulder bag and gold jewelry. Check the dress code at restaurants before you go, since many resort dining rooms ask guests to change out of swimwear after sunset. A light shirt in your beach bag solves most of those moments and folds into a corner of your tote.
How do I choose the right swimsuit type for my body?
Choosing the right swimsuit type for your body starts with what you want to feel, not with rules. Love your shoulders? Try a strapless or a bandeau. Want to show your legs? A high-leg one-piece puts them center stage. Prefer more fabric on the midriff? A tankini or a swim dress keeps things relaxed. Want to stay put while you play? Choose a halter or a sporty cut. Take your bust, waist and hip measurements before you order, so you compare numbers, not guesses. Then do the real test at home: sit down, raise your arms, bend over to pick up a towel. If you forget you are wearing it, that is your suit, and it is ready for the trip.
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