For the last few years, the high-waisted trend has dominated everyday women's fashion, knocking the low-rise cuts of the early aughts off of their precarious pedestal. And while one tends to envision high-waisted jeans first and foremost when thinking about this trend, as summer rolls around, another popular style dominates the style-minded psyche: the high-waisted bikini.
This retro cut originated in the 1940s—specifically 1946—when French fashion designer Jacques Heim introduced a revolutionary two-piece swim piece that featured a bra-like top paired with a bottom that covered the wearer's belly button. Meanwhile, competitor Louis Réard came out with a design even more revealing: a two-piece that he called the bikini, whose bottoms were composed of four triangles united by a string, revealing the entirety of the abdomen. The two designs competed back then, but today the high-waisted bikini and the string bikini are no longer the diametrically opposed competitors they once were.
"I'm seeing a lot of the brands who usually only do micro bikinis who are now doing high-waisted as well," stylist Chenelle Delgadillo explains. "You can also mix and match, so you can get a micro bikini or any other sort of bikini and also get the high-waisted bottoms, so you have two in one swimsuit."
Furthermore, she points out that high-waisted bikinis are no longer considered a modest or matronly option.
"I feel sometimes people associate high-waisted bikinis and one-pieces with trying to be body conscious, but I don't think that's true," Delgadillo continues. "I think it's just about having a different style and looking cute and maybe going more of a fashion route. I mean, it could be you feel more comfortable, but I think it can go either way."
This is especially the case now that there are so many cuts and styles of swimsuit available. Chenelle's sister and fellow celebrity stylist, Chloe, agrees, "I feel like when we were younger, there was not a lot of swimwear places that you could shop, but now the world is your oyster. There are so many options"
To unpack the myriad types of high-waisted bikinis and better understand how to find the best option for you, I spoke with Chloe and Chenelle about the best suits—and best practices—for indulging in this popular, comfortable style.
What to Look For in a High-Waisted Bikini
Chloe acknowledges the difficulty in finding a swimsuit that fits comfortably, admitting, "To me, it's really hard for me to fall in love with a swimsuit, and if I do, I'm wearing it all summer long." She advises, "I think just doing your research and finding out what other people are wearing, or just by trial and error and figuring out what's right for you."
Chenelle agrees, pointing out that fabric is the most important factor to take into account when finding a comfortable suit. Fabrics like spandex, elastane, and lycra guarantee a stretchy, durable fit, particularly when they're thin and double-lined, and therefore won't disintegrate after just a season.
Chloe and Chenelle also add that when finding a high-waisted bikini, it's important to ensure that the suit doesn't cut into your skin—particularly your stomach—in a way that results in discomfort, tightness, and chafing. To combat these issues, Chenelle swears by seamless swimsuits, which reducing the sensation of "feeling cut in" in the middle of your stomach.
Both sisters also advise that bikini wearers exfoliate regularly and refrain from shaving right before putting on a bathing suit, explaining that "having moisturized skin" (they swear by Olay's hyaluronic acid body wash and lotion) is key to enjoying time in a bikini without suffering from irritation as a result.
Finally, Chloe and Chenelle say that if chafing is an especially big concern, wearers can size up "to avoid feeling like it's digging into your skin." And if you're not sure which size is going to fit most comfortably, they advise trying out more than one—just to be sure.
The Best High-Waisted Bikinis
While taking care of your skin, shopping for the right size, and opting for a suit made from high-quality material are universal elements of finding the best high-waisted swimsuit, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits all, best-all-time suit. Different wearers prefer different designs, cuts, and levels of coverage, each of which is a matter of individual tastes and comfort levels. Read on for premium, expert- and editor-approved high-waisted bikinis, organized by cut.
Best Full Coverage High-Waisted Bikinis
Whether you're spending your beach day with your family, going on a business trip, or you simply dislike showing that much skin, you're likely to opt for a full coverage bikini at some point or another. Chenelle defines this cut as one that "covers as much as possible." Comfortable, often sexy, and perfect for swimming and beach sports, everyone should have one of these in their swimsuit arsenal.
"I have this high waisted bikini in virtually every single color the company makes. The fit is so extremely flattering I can't help but continuously press the "add to cart" button. The bottoms are cheeky without being too skimpy for a family beach day, the pattern adds an extra girly edge, and the band hits me at the curve of my waist. As for the top? It gives me enough support—and I'm obsessed with the ruffle design. It's one of the best cuts I've been able to find." -Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Jade Swim is among my favorite swimwear brands because of both its timeless, trend-transcending designs and its commitment to sustainability. Its suits are made from 100 percent recycled plastic and are shipped in biodegradable bags, and each product is dyed without any hazardous chemicals that could harm your skin and the environment. This seamless, full-coverage bottom comes in 11 colorways, including this white one I absolutely love. Made from nylon and spandex, it’s made to move with you as you swim, and is lined so you don’t have to worry about it becoming revealing when it’s wet.
This high-waisted, high-leg swimsuit from sustainable brand Vitamin A is double-lined for optimal comfort, sitting high on the thigh and then rising up over the navel. I love the ribbed feel of this piece’s fabric, and find that this shade of royal blue looks flattering on my skin whether I have a deep tan or am at my palest. It also comes in black and in white, and features a full coverage cut with a slightly cheeky twist.
Swimwear brand Juillet is known (and beloved) for combining traditional European elegance with Bohemian patterns and silhouettes—an aesthetic that’s epitomized in this colorful high-waisted suit. Its colorful, whimsical pattern conjures images of the 1960s, and its ruched side panels add a flirty, textured element that cinches the waist without cutting into it. It can be paired with a balconette top or a string bikini top, both of which boast the same retro pattern and are crafted with the same nylon-elastane blend.
If you’re looking for a sustainable, ethical luxury swimwear brand whose pieces are meant to last for years to come, consider UK-based Hunza G. Their pieces are made for comfort and longevity, and are thick and lined so you can feel as comfortable as possible while you’re enjoying a day out in the sun. Their signature crinkle fabric is also made to mold to wearers’ bodies, no matter their size, so you won’t have to worry about tricky size charts when you’re trying to make a purchase.
Just because a bikini bottom is full coverage doesn’t mean it needs to be boring. This soft black bottom, made from lycra, elastane, and polyamide, has a smoothing effect and flexible fit made to move with you as you swim, dive, run, or jump. Plus, it features a row of buttons along the hip that add a fashionable flair to the suit, and a high cut along the high that shows off just the right amount of skin.
Best Medium Coverage High-Waisted Bikinis
Chenelle defines this style as one that "shows a little cheek," but not very much. It's the perfect in-between style for the swim enthusiast that wants to show off without revealing too much skin. Her sister, Chloe, loves the style, admitting, "I think high-waisted with a little cheek out is cute, to show a little skin"—and our editors agree.
"I usually dread swimsuit season because I find bikinis incredibly uncomfortably. Most of the time, my bottoms are digging into my hips or I'm constantly picking out a wedgie—the worst. But then I came across Left On Friday's Hi Hi Bottoms and now I can't imagine wearing a different bottom. They're made from a buttery smooth material that lightly compresses your tummy area, yet still feels like a second skin. I wore these on the Fourth of July for an entire day of boating and through the night of fireworks and there was no digging, pinching, or tightness in sight. When in comes to comfort, these are next-level." -Brooke Knappenberger, Editorial Fellow
Customer Review: "These bottoms are the most comfortable I have ever had! Modest enough to not feel too exposed, but cheeky enough to feel sexy!" -Left on Friday
"White bathing suits are tricky to shop for, but this set from Monday Swimwear is my all-time favorite and is 100 percent worth the splurge. Both the top and the bottom aren’t sheer even when wet in my experience, which is a godsend. The Sorrento bottom has a super high cut at the leg, so it provides the perfect amount of coverage. The structured waistband also gives me a little shape, while the cupped top design holds me in without any spillage." - Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor
Much like Chloe and Chenelle, I love a seamless bikini. Not only is it a softer, more comfortable option, but seamless cuts like this one from Jade Swim also have an elevated, smoothing appearance. I also love this piece's take on the high-waisted bikini bottom, in which the band is ruched and shaped like a V, exposing the navel without sacrificing coverage of the lower belly or the sides of the waist. The suit comes in five colorways, but I like this eggshell option for its Greco-Roman statue-like effect.
Nike has long been known for its high-performance activewear, so it’s safe to bet that the brand’s swimwear would also be perfect for swimming, diving, running, and beach and water sports. This bikini is made to mold to the wearer’s body and supports a full range of motion, and it comes in four colors and a wide range of sizes so that you can look and feel good at the beach or pool. Plus, it’s fully lined, so you never have to worry about wardrobe malfunctions.
“I also think some of the sportswear brands that do bikinis have really good, flattering high-waisted swimsuits,” says Chenelle, specifically citing Lululemon as one of her favorite brands. “I think because they've mastered the high-waisted cut with their yoga pants and workout pants, I feel like they mastered the bikini bottom as well, which I think is super important, especially for people who want a seamless, comfortable fit.”
Customer Review: "I was looking for a black high-rise bathing suit bottom and tried these. I like it. It’s a thin material, comes up to my waist and is skimpy in the back, which is all of what I was looking for." -Lululemon
Londre is a woman-owned, sustainable, ethical swimwear brand, and also happens to make some of my absolute favorite bathing suits of all time. Its size inclusive, swim-friendly pieces are perfect for any and every occasion, and manage to show a sexy amount of skin without budging or risking a dreaded slippage. This particular style, which is seamless and ultra-smooth, takes from the retro high-waisted bottom and the contemporary cheeky cut, marrying the best of both worlds with a design that covers much of the front while revealing much of the cheek in the back. It comes in three colorways, but my favorite is this burnt orange shade.
Customer Review: "I'm really self conscious about my tummy, but this suit is so flattering and fit me so well - I just can't wait to wear it on the beach for my honeymoon." -Londre Bodywear
Best Low Coverage High-Waisted Bikinis
"I feel more comfortable when I have a thong or no coverage bikini bottoms," says Chenelle. She explains that while the style, which is reminiscent of '80s swimwear, has regained attention in recent years, its popularity transcends trends and is more about what wearers feel most comfortable in.
Myra Swim is another one of my all-time favorite brands. Their seamless designs look flattering and move with me without ever riding too far up or down. Plus, the nylon and spandex fabric blend that the pieces are made of feels unbelievably soft—like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I wear this swimsuit every chance I get, and am tempted to buy it in all four of its chic, timeless colorways.
This bikini, with its high-thigh cut and skin-baring back, takes its inspiration from ‘90s fashion, but modernizes the look with a seamless finish. It’s not quite a thong, but it still bares quite a bit in the back, particularly for curvier women or for those who like to pull their bottoms up as high as they’ll go. My favorite element of this swimsuit, though, is its green metallic fabric, which is made to shimmer in the sun.
Luxury lingerie brand Honey Birdette is best known for the fashion (and sexual wellness products) it makes for inside, so it’s no surprise that its swimwear has such a sexy twist to it. Made from a combination of smooth, swim-friendly fabric, this suit’s bottom features a Brazilian cut back and criss-crossed detailing that mimics a strappy lingerie set.
Everyone’s looking to channel their inner Barbie this summer, whether it’s via a girl power attitude or a hot pink ensemble—and that vibe extends to the beach and pool, too. This ultra-smooth nylon and elastane bikini features seamless hems and rises all the way up past the lower belly, ending just below the navel. In the back, it leaves most the of the wearer’s cheeks exposed for a retro, revealing look that’s sure to turn heads in the very best way.
Meet the Experts
Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo are celebrity stylists who have worked with the likes of SZA, Rosalia, Willow Smith, Olivia Rodrigo, and Addison Rae. They've also worked with a number of popular brands, including Olay, and are currently based in Los Angeles.
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