The Beautiful Ones — 10 Sexy And Stylish One-Piece Swimsuits
Not every woman longs to wear a bikini — even if she’s in exceptionally great shape. I, for one, can’t recall the last time I cavorted around in a two-piece swimsuit or donned a crop top, for that matter — not because I’ve got a jiggly midriff or because of any anxieties regarding stretch marks (I’m good on both counts), but because I’m super self-conscious about my belly button. Yes, I said it: my belly button.
At the age of 17, I had my gallbladder removed through laparoscopic surgery, a process that involves making an incision through the belly button. Ever since, my once-adorable belly button has looked odd to me, unfamiliar and just unseemly. I’m thankful that my surgery went well and that, thanks to modern medical advances, I don’t have the large scars along my abdomen that other people who underwent the surgery bore. But, however petty and absurd, because of my belly button gripes, I uncomfortable in any midriff-baring situation. And who wants to subject themselves to unease and self-consciousness? Not I!
Needless to say, I’ve always opted for one-piece swimsuits, but it’s often difficult to find options that are modern and sultry. At store after store, I’m faced with matronly silhouettes, some with built-in ruffled skirts that make me grimace,. Even online, I’m often browsing through boring-as-can-be, barebones numbers that make those red Baywatch swimsuits look positively revolutionary. Fortunately, the tide may be starting to change for those of us who crave a bit more coverage but still want some va-va-va-voom design details — whether it’s side cut-outs, plunging necklines, molded bustier cups, embroidered and embellished panels, cheeky prints, and macramé or sheer insets.
If you’ve been looking for “the one,” here are 10 options to consider that are just as sultry and chic as any bikini.
Ted Baker TANVI Cosmic Bloom Swimsuit, $149. Available at TedBaker.com
This mystical swimsuit features a surreal but romantic print that seems to overlay galactic images with close-up shots of flower petals. The demarcated bustline features black contrast trim and an underwire for added support, while there’s a tiny cut-out in between these cups for a slightly saucier neckline.
Nanette Lepore Floral Fiesta Goddess Swimsuit, $128. Available at Amazon.com
The embroidered leaf and flower details along the plunging neckline and banded waist nod to folkloric Pueblan dresses while the striped pattern seems inspired by traditional woven serapes.
Tory Burch Pompeii Mosaic One-Piece, $250. Available at ToryBurch.com
Inspired by the mosaic flooring in ancient Pompeii, this swimsuit features a floral print seemingly made of tiny square tiles, thereby resembling a ceramic mosaic. The swimsuit’s four-way stretch material ensures a flattering fit while also offering SPF 50 protection. The criss-crossed halter straps, meanwhile, bring attention to sun-kissed bare shoulders, while the silicone-backed inner strip at the chest ensures no nip slips occur as you splash around and swim to your heart’s content.
Mara Hoffman Low Back One Piece, $212. Available at MaraHoffman.com
I know what you’re thinking: are those silver-toned discs and beads? How could I possibly take a dip in the ocean without tarnishing those and ruining a pricey and posh swimsuit? Well, fear not: that elaborate multi-strand silver necklace is actually printed on the nylon-and-spandex fabric. The trompe l’oeil effect is so realistic, so cleverly deceptive, that others might think you’re a lady of leisure who suns herself while dripping in jewels. And why correct that image? An added plus: the swimsuit’s fabric contains SPF 50!
We Are Handsome Himalaya V-Wire Panel One Piece, $282. Available at WeAreHandsome.com
Unlike so many dainty floral prints, the one on this striking swimsuit feels mysterious and intriguing, with lush pink peonies juxtaposed against a dark and icy backdrop. The V-shaped neckline, with its supportive underwire, creates a bustier-like effect, while the low leg arch gives the piece a retro feel.
Proenza Schouler Printed Swimsuit, $550. Available at Net-a-Porter.com
This dark indigo swimsuit, featuring a light blue paint splatter motif, was designed precisely to flatter every figure (like a Spanx bodysuit you’d WANT to wear in public!). The neckline, then, features supportive push-up cups for maximum cleavage, a bustline with fluid curved lines, a U-shaped cut-out at the center of the bodice to reveal more skin, and a very slim cut-out at the top of the rib cage in an elliptical shade.
OndadeMar Gem Drops Women’s Gem Drops Embroidered One Piece Swimsuit, $99. Available at Amazon.com
This halter-neck swimsuit features a lively print in vibrant coral pink, tangerine, aqua, teal, chartreuse, antique gold, and bronze tones. The pattern itself consists of geometric shapes reminiscent of baubles: diamond motifs, teardrop shapes reminiscent of chandelier pieces, and medallion-like circles. To complete the jewel-centric motif, the straps creating the rounded neckline were hand embroidered with turquoise, ivory vermillion and gold beads.
Lisa Marie Fernandez Adrien Flounce Bonded Maillot, $430. Available at Shop.LisaMarieFernandez.com
Even Goldie Hawn’s most lavish and revealing swimsuits in the classic flick Overboard pale in comparison to this coquettish number with its one-shoulder cut and its theatrical flounce detail. The white color underneath that exaggerated ruffle adds contrast while giving it a slightly Mod sensibility.
Agua Bendita Bendito Myanmar V.B. One Piece, $260. Available at AguaBendita.com
The fresh fruit marketplace illustrated in this swimsuit’s print captures a slice of life in Colombia, as is true of all of Agua Bendita’s pieces. This slinky one-piece swimsuit, which features plunging neckline, curved side cut-outs, four elastic bands along the hips, and interwoven straps along the back, presents an aerial view of a bustling marketplace, so that you can see the straw hats worn by the women working therein and the sorted produce in baskets and bins: guava, zapote, mamoncillo, eggplants, peppers, bananas, and so forth.
Topshop Mawi Halter Swimsuit, $68. Available at US.Topshop.com
This affordable swimsuit nods to the aesthetic popularized by such classic films as Blue Hawaii, but the near-fluorescent colors, the surreal look of the tropical blossoms, and the plunging center cut-out all point to a modern sensibility.
