Tracking down summer swimsuits can be a trying task. And not only because we desperately want to find ones that flaunt our assets while camouflaging our perceived flaws. Nowadays, swimsuits (both one-pieces and bikinis) seem more designed for the sand or pool-side rather than the water with all their frills: embellishments, appliqués and barely-there coverage practically begging for a wardrobe malfunction.
But Bella Hadid, aka supermodel and trendsetter, has a solution for rocking water-resistant swimwear: wear them as tops. In late April, Bella was spotted decked out in a black and white Chanel swimsuit poking out from her baggy jeans. Now, styling swimwear for après beach or pool is nothing new — that’s why there are cover-ups — but the model wasn’t even water-adjacent. No, she was just out and about in New York City, wearing swimwear as streetwear.
As Bella goes, so do the trends, so we’re expecting this styling trick to take off (like tiny shades and bike shorts). To get you ahead of the swell, we’ve rounded up 27 swimsuits that are prime candidates to wear as tops (some you can even swim in) along with helpful styling tips so you don’t look like a fish out of water as you’re pounding the pavement.
[ Next: Be Like Bella Hadid: Wear Bikini Tops as Regular Ol’ Tops ]
Swimsuits as Tops
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Proenza Schouler
Layered High Neck Suit, $295 at Proenza Schouler
Counterbalance the asymmetry with baggy jeans and wedges.
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Reformation
Lacey One Piece, $128 at Reformation
The jade green shade calls out for a crisp pair of frayed white jeans. Cap things off with platform sandals.
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Solid & Striped
The Louise, $158 at Solid & Striped
This tricolor suit would look stellar poking out of a slightly distressed miniskirt. Favor sneakers featuring trim in one of the three hues to kick things up a notch.
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Eloquii
One Shoulder Twist Front Swimsuit, $119.90 at Eloquii
Slide into your fave straight-cut jeans and add in open-back mules FTW.
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Zara
Halterneck Swimsuit With Floral Detail, $49.90 at Zara
Aim for Coachella vibes by working in denim cutoffs and strappy flat sandals.
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Missoni Mare
Zigzag Knitted Swimsuit, $461 at Matches Fashion
Show off the see-through midsection by wearing low-slung jeans. Finish off the look with a few layered gold necklaces and flip flops.
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Out From Under
Lucy U-Wire One-Piece Swimsuit, $89 at Urban Outfitters
Draw more attention to that U with a set of army green cargo pants with plenty of pockets. Complete the look with high heels or Dr. Martens, depending on your mood.
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Vetements
Logo Printed Swimsuit, $550 at mytheresa.com
Make this suit more land-friendly with a pair of black pedal pushers and block heel sandals.
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ACK
Filo Swim Top, $141 at Need Supply Co.
Cover up your bottom half with a flowy patterned maxi skirt. Neutral flats will help ground the look.
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Tommy Hilfiger
Gigi Hadid Flag Print One-Piece, $129.50 at Tommy Hilfiger
Flaunt this one-piece's side cut-outs with mid-rise jeans in a darker wash. Cap things off with red hot V-cut shoes.
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ASOS
Design Curve Color Block Cupped Underwired Swimsuit, $56 at ASOS
Go from the pool to the party this Fourth of July by pulling on Bermuda shorts over this patriotic suit. Slide into some white sandals to polish things off.
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Dolce & Gabbana
Floral-Printed Swimsuit, $645 at mytheresa.com
High-waisted jeans and grandpa sneakers will make this floral modern.
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Fendi
One-Shoulder Striped Swimsuit, $480 at Matches Fashion
Show off these stripes with a denim miniskirt with a shredded hemline and slip-on loafers.
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Nightcap
Bardot Ruffled Lace One-Piece Swimsuit, $148.50 at Anthropologie
If you held on to your lowriders, this suit is a great excuse to dig them out of your closet. Make sure the ruffle accent pops over the waistband and work in hot pink kitten heel slingbacks.
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WHIT
Rouche One-Piece Swimsuit, $186 at Anthropologie
Double up on ruching by teaming this suit with a gathered skirt in a complementary (but not matching) shade. Weave in some woven sandals to take texture to the extreme.
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Ganni
Exclusive Shirred Leopard-Print Bikini, $190 at Net-a-Porter
Since this fierce option comes as a set, cover up the bottoms with a ruffled skirt to play up the ruffled straps. Add in ankle-strap sandals to round out the look.
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Tory Burch
Lace-Up Tank Suit, $198 at Tory Burch
Treat this suit like a tank top and combine it with black jeans and a brown belt. Cowboy boots will make things city chic.
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Oséree Swimwear
Front Cutout One Piece Swimsuit, $300 at Luisa Via Roma
Rely on a shirtdress to make this work on dry land, but make sure to leave the buttons open down to your waist to let the suit shine. Turn to your trusty Converse to get around town.
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The Ones Who
Tali One Piece Swimsuit, $129 at Need Supply Co.
Bring back the 90s trend of letting one strap of your denim overalls hang loose to show off this suit. Roll the overalls' bottoms to flaunt your go-to white kicks.
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& Other Stories
Polka Dot Wrap Swimsuit, $55 at & Other Stories
Because the neckline is pretty revealing, keep things strictly business below with a work-appropriate pencil skirt and comfy round-toe pumps.
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Zara
Swimsuit With Metal Eyelets, $45.90 at Zara
Bust out your somewhat shiny track pants to complement this bright piece. Sport some statement hoops and peep-toes plus the matching track jacket if the weather takes a turn.
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Jade Swim
Collision One-Shoulder Swimsuit, $245 at Matches Fashion
Let the ties hang loose over your cropped light-wash jeans. White boots will make for a strong finish.
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Eloquii
One-Piece Swimsuit With Ruffle Shoulder, $119.90 at Eloquii
White jeans, ballet flats and a visor will elevate this suit from the sand to the street.
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Mango
Floral Swimsuit, $69.99 at Mango
Snatch the shorts from a shorts suit to pair with this colorfully patterned one-piece. Continue the structured vibe with platform sneakers.
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Mara Hoffman
Cleo One Piece, $206.50 at Mara Hoffman
Let the top and top of the bottom of this suit get all the attention by incorporating a white wrap skirt. Some Lucite jewelry and wedges will add extra polish.
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Solid & Striped
The Bailey Cutout Two-Tone Swimsuit, $160 at Net-a-Porter
Tone down the neon with camo pants and stark footwear.
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Tory Burch
Solid Wrap One-Piece, $198 at Tory Burch
Just add in a striped almost-maxi skirt and black sneakers to jazz up this royal blue piece.
