24 Cheap Bikinis That Look Anything But
If you've been daydreaming about summer beach days and lying outside with your friends lately, this story is for you. Oddly enough, swimwear can come with a pretty high price tag, but that doesn't always have to be the case. If you look really hard, you can find the best swimsuit brand gems that, although they won't cost you more than $100 (yes, for both pieces), will look like you paid much more than that.
When it comes to finding cheap swimwear that looks expensive, there are a few things that you should be mindful of: prints, seams, and straps. So long as those few details are examined with a fine-tooth comb, you'll be fooling everyone as you wear a $20 bikini brand that looks like it costs $200.
Ahead, shop the best affordable bikinis from go-to retailers like Amazon, H&M, and Zara.
"It's almost impossible for me to find sets that fit me properly, but this one surprisingly did! I ordered an M. I'm a 34C and wear a size 25/26 in jeans. The top fit perfectly (the ties are also adjustable), and so did the bottoms (also adjustable strings). The bottoms are low, and the back is cheeky but not so cheeky as to be a thong (I hate that!). The material is surprisingly thick and looks expensive." — Amazon Reviewer
"Wore this to the beach, and it was so comfortable. Also, I'd get washed out by waves, and the top wouldn't budge as well as the bottoms. It is simple and cute."—Amazon Reviewer
"This suit is very flattering and comfortable. I felt amazing in it. The back had good coverage, even for being cheeky. For reference, I am 5'2", 125 lbs, curvier on the bottom, and size 1/2 fits perfectly. It doesn't dig in or look like a diaper. I can't wait to restock so I can buy in more colors!" — Nordstrom Reviewer
"Amazon Prime came in clutch for last minute bathing suit for my trip! I absolutely love the color of this bathing suit, and it is flattering for me, a small-chested girl."—Amazon Reviewer
If you're looking for an alt to a bikini, a cutout I can get behind.
"This swimsuit is so cute! I love the design, and it's super flattering! I can't wait to wear it this summer!" — Blackbough Reviewer
"I was nervous to buy a white bathing suit, but this bikini is very flattering, fits true to size, and is not sheer at all. The bottoms do not squeeze your hips and are tastefully cheeky. I'm 5' 10" and got large; it fits perfectly. Amazing bikini, especially for the price!" — Amazon Reviewer
"One of my favorite places to buy bathing suits from! I haven't gotten anything I don't like yet!" — Aerie Reviewer
"I love this suit. It's very flattering on my body, and it fits perfectly. I'm very happy with it and will definitely be getting more! The suit is very well made, and I almost cried when it fit as perfectly as it did." — Amazon Reviewer
"Love this suit! I'm usually a medium, but I ordered a large, and it fits perfectly! My bust is fairly small (36B), and the large top fits well. The tie in the back is very adjustable to accommodate other chest sizes. The bottoms don't have a lot of coverage but are adorable." — Amazon Reviewer
"This brand is the first I've bought bathing suits from online and on Amazon that actually fit perfectly!" — Amazon Reviewer
"This bathing suit is wonderful material! The braiding adds so much to the look, and the color is just as described! I would definitely say to size down in it." — Amazon Reviewer
"I literally can never find a supportive bikini top, and this fits so well, feels supportive, and doesn't make me feel my chest is as big as it is. Game changer!" — ASOS Reviewer
"I love the fabric and fit of the swimsuit. It has the perfect amount of stretch and feels very comfortable." — Amazon Reviewer
"10/10 recommend! Great quality! My pre-pregnancy and pregnancy body looks great in this." — Amazon Reviewer
"This is such a flattering swimsuit! It's my new favorite! The bottoms are cheekier than I had initially expected, but they aren't terrible. The color held with me being in chlorine for hours on multiple occasions and is also fine in the washer." — Amazon Reviewer
"I bought the blue. It's true to color. There are no pads, but because of the scrunched fabric, you can't tell. It's a little cheeky but cute! I'm typically a medium and bought a medium." — Amazon Reviewer
This post was originally published on an earlier date and has since been updated.
Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director of Who What Wear and has worked at the company for over eight years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the fashion editorial space, starting her career with internships at Marc Jacobs, Marie Claire, and The Zoe Report, where she was later hired as their editorial assistant. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New York Who What Wear offices but currently calls L.A. home. It is here where she leads and manages Who What Wear's fashion team and oversees all day-to-day editorial content and large tentpole moments. This includes all of the runway, trend, and shopping-driven content that ultimately helps to build a strong brand reputation within the industry. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many of the celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Kaia Gerber, Normani, and Kristen Stewart.
She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, Milan, and Paris, where her personal style has been featured on sites such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Elle. She prides herself on discovering and supporting small brands and on her knack for a good vintage shopping find. When she isn't working, she enjoys researching and dining at reputable restaurants around both her neighborhood and the globe.
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