There are an enormous variety of bikini top styles to choose from and picking the right style for you can be extremely confusing. Of course, choosing the right style of bikini top also depends on what you will be doing whilst wearing it. Will you be lying on the beach, soaking up the sun and drinking cocktails or will you be out swimming in the sea or playing beach sports? Perhaps a combination of all of these? You may even need a selection of different styles to choose from depending on what the day has in store. No matter what you have planned, we’ve got you covered. In this blog we give a simple, no-nonsense description of each bikini top style and give our opinion on the pros and cons of each. Of course, if you have a different opinion or experience of wearing any particular style of bikini top then please let us know in the comments. We would love to hear from you.
Triangle
The ever popular triangular bikini never seems to go out of fashion and is the most common style of bikini top. This top is made up of two triangular pieces of material that form the bra cups which can be either padded or unpadded. The entire piece is held together with straps that can be either clasped or tied together behind the back and neck with the triangular cups either held in a fixed position or allowed to slide along the straps. Whilst sliding tops are more adjustable, they are also less secure which can cause them to come loose if you are taking part in more physical activities.
PROS
- Classic look, never out of fashion
- Suitable for a semi-active beach day
- Adjustable at the back and neck guaranteeing a good fit
CONS
- May not give enough support to women with larger, heavier busts
- Leaves tan lines around the neck
RECOMMENDED FOR
- Women with small to medium busts
Bandeau
The word bandeau is derived from the French bande meaning a strip or stripe. As the name implies, this top is made of a single strip of material that wraps around the breasts. These tops are normally either strapless or have removable straps, making them great for avoiding tan lines on your shoulders. However, they give less support than other bikini top styles and can easily come loose when doing anything more strenuous than walking down the beach.
PROS
- Avoids shoulder tan lines
- The simple style means it matches any bikini bottom style
CONS
- Gives less support than other styles
- Not recommended for sporty activities
RECOMMENDED FOR
- Hiding cleavage
Halter neck
A halter neck top has a strap that runs from the front to behind the back of the neck. Normally tied or clipped behind the neck, halter neck tops can also be made from a single unbroken piece of material. Since the term halter neck refers only to the type of strap, they can be combined with any style of bra cup. Halter neck tops are often worn by women with large busts and/or broad shoulders as they create a more proportionate appearance. These tops draw attention towards the neck, which is something you mat want to consider if you don’t like your arms. Unfortunately, some women find wearing halter neck tops causes neck ache although this is normally because either the straps are too tight or, for larger women, the neck is having to support the weight of the breasts. In this case you may find a top with shoulder straps is more comfortable.
PROS
- Gives more support
- Often give a better, more comfortable fit
CONS
- Can cause neck ache
RECOMMENDED FOR
- Taking part in moderately strenuous sporty activities
- Women with large busts and/or broad shoulders
- People who do not like their arms
Underwire
Designed to give extra support, this type of bikini top has underwires similar to those found in a regular bra. Underwire bikini tops are designed to give more structure and support, making them ideal for those with a larger bust. If opting for an underwire bikini top it is important to make sure you get a good fit as, like regular bras, a badly fitting underwire top can be uncomfortable and tiring, especially if too tight. Women with wide-set breasts often find it particularly difficult to find a top with a suitably wide centre panel. If buying an underwire top make sure to try on a few and don’t be frightened to return a badly fitting top.
PROS
- Gives more structure and support
- Suitable for more strenuous, sporty activities
CONS
- Can be more difficult to find a top that fits properly
RECOMMENDED FOR
- Women with larger busts
Padded/Push Up
As the name implies, a padded bikini top has padded cups that are designed to hold their shape and give your breasts a fuller, rounder appearance. If the pads are positioned to support the breasts from below they will also push up your breasts creating a bigger cleavage. This extra support from below is an advantage that is often overlooked by larger breasted women, especially when combined with an underwire. Sometimes coming with removable pads, a padded bikini top gives a firmer bust line and will prevent nipples from showing through the material. If buying a padded top, it can be more difficult to get a good fit. Make sure that the straps are comfortable and don’t dig into your shoulders. As always, be prepared to return a badly fitting top.
PROS
- Give a fuller, more rounded appearance
CONS
- Need to take care when storing to avoid creasing the pads
- Can be more difficult to find a top that fits properly
RECOMMENDED FOR
- Women with smaller busts looking a fuller appearance
- Women with larger busts looking for more support
- Stopping nipples from showing under the top
