The Dead Giveaway of Cheap Swimwear

Here at Who What Wear, while we certainly don't mind if something is cheap, we never want it to look cheap. Which is why we've tapped experts in many facets of the fashion industry to tell us exactly what it is that makes that particular fashion item look cheap—like the one thing that gives poor-quality heels away.

And because 'tis the season, next up, we're talking about the what can make affordable swimwear look on the wrong side of thrifty. To get the scoop on this all-important subject, we looked to Sabra Krock, the creative director and co-owner of swimwear mecca Everything But Water. Given the dozens of swimwear brands the company has been stocking over the past 30 years, we knew we were in good hands.

According to Krock, the telltale signs of cheap swimwear are a poor fit and a "bad exercise tight" sheen to the fabric. In regards to the fit, she said, "Fabric with four-way stretch moulds to the body and fits beautifully." And when it comes to the reason behind that dreaded sheen, she explained, "Higher-quality fabric that contains Lycra is woven around the Lycra as opposed to lower-quality fabrications where the Lycra is exposed and imparts a sheen." She also divulged that "High-quality suits typically have construction details not present in lower-quality suits—flat seaming, hidden underwire, etc."

While certainly very useful in guiding you toward your next swimwear purchase, this information isn't to say that you have to spend a tonne of money on a swimsuit for it to not look cheap. There are plenty of lower-priced swimwear options on the market that feature expensive-looking details without the price tag to match. Accordingly, we rounded up some of the best expensive-looking swimwear at a variety of price points. Read on to shop them all…