The BAZAAR Guide to 2022’s Best Swimwear
Bikinis, cutouts, and classic one-pieces, all for your Hot Girl Summer swim starter pack.
The whole year has been leading up to this moment: summer. The grass is greener, the days are warmer, the sun is brighter, and things at the office are calmer. You’ve saved up your vacation days, and your OOO email is drafted. On the horizon, perhaps a shared house with friends by the beach or a vacation with family to somewhere warm awaits. Regardless, you’re pretty much prepared—and if you’re not, consider the following swimsuit guide your manifestation.
It’s time for the sweaters and coats still in your closet to take a back seat. We all have our favourite summer pieces ready to wear on vacation sorted—dresses, tops, pants, sandals, the works—including swimsuits. When it comes to swim, there are so many options and styles to find the perfect fit. Below, find seven key styles to inform the swim season ahead, as seen in the May issue of Harper's BAZAAR. From triangle tops to crop tops to the best bottom shapes, these are all the swim pieces you need for another Hot Girl Summer.
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A quintessential top to a bikini wardrobe. Its simplicity makes it so versatile. Whether you’re staying active in the water and paddleboarding or making your rounds and socializing at a pool party with friends, this top works for almost any occasion in the summertime. This season on the SS22 runways, this top was a statement in collections from Burberry to Oscar de la Renta to Blumarine, showing all the ways to wear this classic piece.
This top makes a statement, going from the beach to the street under a cardigan during the day or blazer at night. You can tighten or loosen the straps as you see fit for different levels of support, whether the straps tie around your neck into a halter or have an adjuster like bra straps. Added bonus if there’s lining in the bust.
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Looking for the perfect mix of support and style? Look no further. Behold, the crop top. Often available with adjustable straps for comfort, this top is also made in various strap widths by a variety of brands, which is the key to its support. The more support for your bust you need, the wider the strap you should select.
The final look is one both sporty and minimal. It’s chic enough to mix into your wardrobe and wear under a blazer to a dinner or to the beach with a pair of shorts and an unbuttoned, oversized shirt.
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Introducing a fresh take on the one-piece that plays with proportions in a flattering way, the cutout. These often give a look of an elongated torso and show some extra skin in complementary areas. Not to mention, it’s easy to have fun at the beach in these: You can take a dip in the water with the bottoms attached, making them extra secure.
I love the idea of doubling their use as a cutout bodysuit during a lunch break from your lounge chair. If you’re wanting to enhance the look of your bust area, go with cutouts right below your chest, and for a longer or taller overall look, choose cutouts on the sides.
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To me, bottoms can make or break your swimsuit. The secret sauce to getting it right? Comfort.
No matter the style, fit is very important to look and feel your best. If you prefer to highlight elongated legs, go with a high-cut bottom. For length to your torso, go low-cut. No one can go wrong with the high-waisted brief; it provides coverage and gives support at the same time for a flattering, pulled-together look. If you want full coverage but are still looking to accentuate your shape, go with the boy short. All pair nicely with bandeaus—and really any tops.
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Classic one-pieces are always a good idea. They’re appropriate for almost any summer scenario, and when you find the right fit, they look effortlessly chic. The highlights? Full coverage and support throughout, plus sun-protective fabric that’s still great for swimming.
Fun details to look out for: low backs for a peek of extra skin, high cuts for a sexier ’80s vibe, and straps that cross in the back for extra lift and support.
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A modern solution to update a classic: Go with a one-shoulder one-piece for full coverage but a touch of flair that’s a cut above the rest. The asymmetrical neckline detail is both feminine and flattering, and there are many versions to choose from. One of our favorites is the tied shoulder. It gives such an effortless appeal and second-skin look—everything fits like a glove just by one tie.
Now that you have the style down, it’s time to have some fun with patterns. From on-brand logomania to art-inspired graphics and ranges of florals, there’s a pattern swimsuit for everyone. If you’re looking for a bold look with joyous pops of color, go with a more abstract pattern with lines and a mix of colors. Feeling feminine? Florals from wallpaper to ’70s bohemian fit almost any scenario. For a sportier moment, you can never go wrong with a stripe. A great place to start is thinking about colors your gravitate toward, whether warmer (reds, oranges, yellows) or colder (blues, purples, greens). Go with a color story you typically are drawn to.
This article originally appeared in Harper's BAZAAR US