Best bikinis to wear this summer and beyond

Crinkle bikinis remain hugely popular. If you’re looking for an affordable bikini that taps into the trend, turn to this Asos design. We’ve had it in our swimwear collection for three years, and it remains one of our favourites.

Despite wearing it on multiple holidays, it’s still going strong, which is quite something considering the price. It washes well, hasn’t lost its shape, and looks the same wet as it does dry. The bottoms (£14, Asos.com) are comfortable and supportive and provide more coverage than itsy-bitsy designs. The top is supportive thanks to the thick straps, and the cut accentuates the bust nicely.

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This pink textured bikini exceeded all of our expectations. Owing to the cup design, the top provides ample support and works to accentuate the bust nicely. As for the bottoms (£16, Riverisland.com), we usually gravitate towards a high-rise cut so we have a little less skin on show, but we found these to provide ample support and looked great on. What’s more, the fabric feels high-end and like it’ll last many summers, so no sagging in sight, thankfully.

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French swimwear and lingerie brand Nénés Paris is a sustainable brand making waves. Its one-pieces and bikinis are made from recycled materials, and the designs are gorgeous. And if it’s a black bikini you’re looking for, this set really impressed us.

The style is slightly retro, the bottoms (£34, Nenes-paris.com) are high waist for leg-lengthening benefits and cut in at the perfect point to refine the waist. We also really liked the pleat detailing on the side. The underwired bikini top has a similar wow factor. The straps are adjustable and are tied at the front, should you wish to accentuate cleavage, just go a little tighter. The fit of the bikini is just perfect.

A different Adora Swim design was featured in last year’s review of the best bikinis, so we had high expectations for this number. And we were not let down. Much like other brands, the tops and bottoms are sold separately, so you can mix and match. We tested the tide top and reef bottoms (£42, Adoraswim.com) in white. And couldn’t fault the set.

If you are looking for a bikini with high waist bottoms, this Adora Swim design is well worth a try. The design features a high-cut leg that we found to really lengthen our pins, while the high-waisted design provides a bit of extra support and also works to accentuate your silhouette. As for the top, we found it to provide medium support, and we were grateful for the extra padding. Compared to high street designs, it is more expensive, but it’s well worth the investment.

A scoop neck bikini is a reliable design, and this one from eco conscious brand Everlane is certainly one worth trying. With adjustable straps and a thick seam, the top provides ample support and makes sure that everything stays put; making it a good choice for any activity this summer.

As for bottoms, the brand has a number of different designs. We tested the high rise hipster pair (£18, Everlane.com), which, according to the brand, has been fit-tested on more than 100 different women to make sure that they feel comfortable and stay in place. As expected, we found the fit to be great; they nipped us in at the waist nicely, and we appreciated the extra bum coverage.

For something a little more skimpy though, we also roadtested the thigh-high bikini bottoms (£13, Everlane.com). The cut was more cheeky yet we still felt perfectly covered up. The fabric – which is made from recycled materials – is thick and unlikely to wear for many years to come. A great buy.

Mango’s recent collaboration with LA-based designer Simon Miller is a summery-hued dream. Our expectations were high when we spotted this bikini and it certainly lives up to them. The bright green colour and the shell detailing mean that this is perfect for holidays. The top doesn’t have any padding and doesn’t provide much support, so it’s probably better for those who have smaller busts. But owing to the fact the top is strapless, it also won’t leave you with any strange tanlines.

When on holiday, we styled the top with high-waisted shorts with a linen shirt unbuttoned over the top, so it definitely deserves a spot in your cabin bag. The bottoms (£29.99, Mango.com) do come up fairly large – we usually go for a medium in bikini bottoms but found the small to fit perfectly.

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Few swimwear brands have reached such cult status as Hunza G. The crinkle design is the brand’s signature, and the on-trend colourways make the designs timeless and modern. The Nadine bikini is a classic option that will see you through many summers to come. Of course, the fit is subjective, but we found the cut of the high-waisted bottoms to be very flattering; cutting in at the perfect point. While the top, provided great support and the tortoiseshell hoop detailing is very chic.

The material feels thicker and more high-quality than other crinkle-cut designs we’ve tried in the past, which you’d expect given that it’s the brand’s USP. It’s worth noting that there is a list of care instructions on Hunza G’s website, including avoiding jacuzzis, saunas and steam rooms, and long-term chlorine absorption. The price also makes it quite an investment, but if you’re looking to take the plunge, you can’t fault it.

If you’re looking to get your swimwear collection sorted affordably, Nasty Gal should be on your radar. With a huge selection of different designs, including strapless and patterned options, there’s something for everyone. This bikini set is a great pick if you’re looking for something strapless – which means you don’t have to worry about getting awkward tan lines – and floral. And the bottoms are a great, slightly cheeky fit. What it makes up for in the design, it lacks in support though, so it’s better suited for someone with a smaller bust. But, for under £20, you can’t go wrong.

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Sustainable swimwear brand Away That Day specialises in timeless resort wear that doesn’t compromise on style or fit. Its dedication to the environment is apparent through its recycling initiative: send in any old, unwanted swimwear and the material will be reused in new collections, better still you’ll get 15 per cent off your next purchase. When it comes to its swimwear, the tops and bottoms are all sold separately so you can mix and match different designs according to your preference, too.

We tried the Palma top, which provided a natural lift without padding or underwire. We appreciated that the straps and the back ties can be adjusted for the perfect fit and found it to be very comfortable. As for the Fiji bottoms (£55, Awaythatday.com), the Brazilian style means they can be worn around the waist, or higher up the hip – we found them to be comfortable, but did size up. Another thing we loved about the brand’s bikini is that it comes in a range of different colours.

Adanola is one of our favourite activewear brands, and its swimwear doesn’t disappoint either. The bikini top is a classic triangle shape; it ties at the back and around the neck, and the fit can be adjusted accordingly. It doesn’t feature removable padding though, which is worth bearing in mind if you want something a little bit more supportive. Having said that, the cups can be moved to create a bit more cleavage and hold everything in place. The matching bottoms (£18.99, Adanola.com) sit high on the thigh, which works to really lengthen the legs.

While you won’t want to be doing lots of fast-paced swimming in this one, if it’s sun worshipping you’re going to be doing, this design is a firm favourite. Similarly, the design of this bikini rivals that of high-end brands. Another thing we liked about this is the size range, which goes from XXS to 3XL.

Yet another high street brand proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune on swimwear. New Look’s selection is impressive, with everything from itsy-bitsy designs to those that provide more coverage. This bikini sits somewhere between the two, however. The top fastens by a halter neck tie and a clasp at the back, and we were impressed with how much support this gave us. The plunging design draws the chest in for lifted cleavage, too.

As for the bottoms (£13.99, Newlook.com), the thong style is more risqué than the others featured here. While they show off a bit more of the bum, we appreciated that the high waist cut provided more coverage across the lower stomach. For less than £25 for this two-piece, it’s a holiday must-have.

Cotton On’s swimwear is very reliable. The brand heralds from Australia, but it launched in the UK in 2021, and it’s been a firm favourite since then. Often wired bikini tops can dig in and feel uncomfortable, but that’s not the case here. The design means we felt nicely lifted and supported. The bottoms (£14.99, Cottonon.com) are double-layered, so are thick enough to not be see-through when wet, and they give the perfect amount of coverage. While it comes in a range of different shades, hot pink offers a fun pop of colour. There’s also a deal currently running across Cotton On swimwear that means this entire set costs just £20.

Known for its bright and bold designs, swimwear brand Triangl first made waves in 2012 and has since had a resurgence. As you’d expect from the price tag, this bikini feels high-end. The fabric has a decent thickness to it, and the set even arrives in its own neoprene zip bag for easy storage at home and away.

The scoop neck bikini top doesn’t feature underwiring, which makes it particularly comfortable, although no padding is included. Owing to the smaller cup size, you may need to go up a size if you have larger boobs so that it provides more coverage and support. Within the set, you’ve got the choice of normal or cheeky bottoms; we opted for the latter and found them to come up high on the waist and fit nicely.

Our only gripe with Triangl is that the sizing seems a little off, so it’s worth checking measurements properly.

British swimwear brand Heidi Klein is known for its classic shapes and silhouettes. If you’re looking for something luxe, this triangle bikini is bound to tick the boxes since it’s the design that the brand does best. It’s timeless and chic, making it something you’ll want to return to holiday after holiday.

The top is complete with the brand’s signature gold trims and the rope ties can be adjusted to fit your shape. While we found it to fit true to size, for more coverage, it’s worth sizing up. The coordinating bottoms are unlike most of the designs within this review since they’re low-rise, so provide less coverage, but are a great cut if you’re after a pair that sits below the waist. The navy is smart, but the design is available in a huge range of patterns and colourways.

This beautiful bikini comprises a balconette top and high-waisted bottom in a chic blue, pale pink and yellow chrysanthemum print. We found the crossover bottoms (£40, Tedbaker.com) offered coverage across our lower tummy, while the V-shaped fit was both flattering and unusual.

Meanwhile, the balconette bra top has underwiring and ruched straps, which can also be worn in a Bardot style. It also features an invisible strip in the upper lining, to stop any slippage. The two-piece is a good quality set with practical features, which feels special to wear, thanks to its chic design.

You can choose between high-leg and high-waisted bikini bottoms (£18, Next.co.uk) when shopping for this set, providing welcome versatility. The set features contrasting cream and green panels, and we love the intricate print. The padded multiway wired bandeau bikini top (£28, Next.co.uk) comes in a selection of bra sizes up to 38G and is available in terracotta and blue woodblock options too.

We’ve found this padded top offers support, shape and coverage, and its clever design means the straps can be easily wrapped around to reveal a bandeau option. There’s also a gold clasp, and we think the bikini looks more expensive than its high-street price tag.