Women's Swimwear Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Bikini, Swimsuit & Cover-Up
The Wrong Swimwear Is Costing You Confidence
Swimwear is the most personal category in any woman's wardrobe. It's worn in the most exposed settings — beaches, pools, holidays — and yet most women settle for pieces that don't truly fit, don't flatter, and don't make them feel their best. The result is a holiday spent adjusting straps, avoiding certain angles, and not fully relaxing into the moment.
At Elanique, we believe swimwear should do the opposite — it should give you confidence, perform in the water, and look as good on day seven of a holiday as it did on day one. This guide covers everything you need to choose the right swimwear for your body, your lifestyle, and your aesthetic.
Bikinis: Finding Your Perfect Style
The bikini market is vast — and the right style depends on a combination of body shape, support needs, and personal aesthetic. Here's how to navigate it:
- Triangle bikini tops: Minimal coverage, maximum sun exposure — ideal for smaller busts and relaxed beach days
- Underwired bikini tops: Structured support for larger busts — the engineering of a bra with the aesthetic of a bikini
- Bandeau tops: Clean, strapless lines — perfect for avoiding tan lines and achieving a sleek, editorial look
- High-waisted bottoms: Elongate the torso, provide more coverage, and have a strong vintage-inspired aesthetic that works on every body shape
- Brazilian cut bottoms: Minimal coverage for maximum tan — confident and contemporary
Browse our full Women's Swimwear Collection to find your perfect bikini combination.
One-Piece Swimsuits: The Case for Going Back to Basics
The one-piece swimsuit has undergone a complete aesthetic rehabilitation over the past decade. Far from being the conservative alternative to a bikini, a well-chosen one-piece is now one of the most stylish choices you can make at the beach or pool.
Key styles to consider:
- Cut-out swimsuits: Strategic cut-outs deliver visual interest and skin exposure without the coverage trade-off of a bikini
- Plunge neckline: Elongates the neckline and adds a sophisticated, evening-adjacent quality to poolside dressing
- Sporty one-piece: Built for swimming rather than sunbathing — secure, streamlined, and performance-focused
Cover-Ups: The Bridge Between Beach and Beyond
A great cover-up extends the life of your swimwear look beyond the water's edge. The right piece takes you from beach to lunch, from pool to bar, without needing to change.
The most versatile cover-up styles:
- Kaftan: Flowing, effortless, and universally flattering — the most elegant beach-to-lunch transition piece
- Sarong: Infinitely adjustable — wrap as a skirt, dress, or shoulder cover depending on the occasion
- Shirt dress: The most structured cover-up option — works as a standalone piece away from the beach
Pair your cover-up with a wide brim sun hat from our Women's Wide Brim Sun Hat and a quality beach bag from our Luxury Handbags Collection for a complete, considered beach look.
Swimwear Care: Making Your Pieces Last
Swimwear is exposed to chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, and UV — all of which degrade fabric over time. Proper care extends the life of your pieces significantly:
- Rinse in cold fresh water immediately after swimming — both chlorine and salt water break down elastane fibres
- Hand wash with a gentle detergent rather than machine washing
- Never wring — press gently to remove excess water and lay flat to dry
- Avoid sitting on rough surfaces in your swimwear — it pills the fabric
- Rotate between at least two pieces on holiday to allow each to recover its shape between wears
Building Your Holiday Swimwear Edit
The Elanique holiday swimwear capsule — everything you need for a week away:
- Two bikinis — one for sunbathing, one for swimming; alternate daily
- One one-piece — for days when you want a change of aesthetic or more coverage
- Two cover-ups — one casual (sarong or kaftan), one smarter (shirt dress) for beach-to-lunch transitions
- One wide brim hat — UV protection and instant polish
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