High-waisted swimwear: how to choose

How to choose high-waisted swimwear

Start with the waistband. A high-waisted brief should sit at your natural waist, not below it, so the line through the middle stays smooth and the brief stays put when you swim. Decide first whether you want a two-piece, where the top and brief are separate, or a one-piece with a high waist. A two-piece lets you choose the top shape and coverage independently; a one-piece gives a single clean line and may include a cut-out or open back.

Look at the top as closely as the brief. Our pieces include scoop necks, halter ties, triangle cups, backless cuts and styles with metal ring straps. Support varies too: you will find soft chest pads, padded cups, push-up shaping, removable padding and wireless designs, as well as underwire across the range. Choose the construction you will feel most comfortable in for swimming, sunbathing and the walk to the water.

Use the bust, waist and hip measurements for the piece you are considering, then read its own fit note. Where a style says to take your usual size for a close fit, start there; where it says to take the larger size if you fall between two, follow that. Check that the double layer sits flat at the edges, and adjust straps or back ties so the neckline sits level before you go in.

Materials, details and fit

Polyester and nylon do most of the work in our swim pieces, often with spandex for stretch. You will see smooth nylon stretch, polyester knit and jersey, a ribbed knit, and an acrylic and spandex blend, with polyester or spandex linings in some styles. These are practical swim fabrics: look for the feel you prefer, whether that is a close, high-elasticity jersey or a lighter ribbed knit, and remember that a lining adds a smooth layer against the skin.

Details change how a piece sits and how covered you feel. A double-layer top flutters at the edges, a chest pad gives light shaping, padded cups add structure and removable padding lets you choose a lighter feel. High-cut briefs, ruched seats and high-rise waists each draw a different line. Metal rings catch the light at the shoulders; a centre-back knot keeps a scoop neckline neat. None of these details is only decorative: each one affects balance, coverage and comfort.

Fit is a matter of measurement and adjustment. Settle the brief at your natural waist, check that any double layer lies flat, and fasten a knot at the centre back before adjusting the straps so the scoop sits level. If a style has a chest pad and no underwire, the front should feel soft rather than compressed. Take your time with the try-on and move your arms and shoulders; swimwear should stay close without pulling.

How to style them

Let the high waist set the proportion. With a two-piece, an open shirt over the top is an easy layer for the walk to the water, and it keeps the line at your waist visible. A high-cut brief with a ruched seat works well with a simple top and little else, while a backless or halter top balances the coverage through the middle. Keep the cover-up relaxed so the swim piece does the shaping.

For a one-piece, choose the detail you want to lead: a waist cut-out, an open back, or metal rings at the shoulders. These are clean pieces that need very little around them. A solid one-piece in black, navy, blue or red can sit under a plain shirt or a loose dress; a piece with a cut-out looks considered on its own at a pool or on a terrace. The high waist already gives the silhouette a focal point.

Prints and colour splits are the extroverts. A tropical print, a plaid panel or a two-tone design can carry a beach outfit, so keep the rest of your layer quiet: a neutral shirt, a simple towel, a clean sandal. If you prefer solid colour, use one bright shade and repeat it in a small accessory rather than adding a second print. The aim is a line that looks deliberate from the sand to the water, not a pile of competing details.

Care and storage

Rinse your swimwear in cool water after wearing it, then squeeze gently rather than wringing it. Dry it flat in the shade, away from direct heat, and let it dry fully before it goes into storage. This simple routine helps the fabric and lining stay comfortable and keeps the shape looking neat between swims.

Give padding and hardware a little attention. Remove removable padding before rinsing and lay it flat to dry; check that fixed pads sit smooth inside their pockets. Pat metal rings and any straps dry after the piece has been rinsed, and fasten back ties or knots loosely so the top keeps its shape. Do not leave a damp swimsuit folded in a bag.

Store high-waisted pieces flat or loosely folded in a dry place. Keep rough surfaces away from the fabric, and avoid hanging a heavy wet piece by its straps. If you have room, store the top and brief together but not compressed under other clothing. A clean, dry swimsuit put away with care will be ready for the next pool day without fuss.

Standout pieces

• Tropical Print High-Waist Two-Piece Swimsuit: The tropical rainforest print and double-layer top give this two-piece a holiday mood, while the separate high-waist bottoms draw a smooth line across the middle.
• Ribbed High-Waist Knot-Back Bikini: A ribbed knit two-piece with a deep scoop, fine spaghetti straps and a centre-back knot, finished with a high-cut brief and ruched seat for a smooth line.
• Sky Blue High-Waist Bikini: Sky-blue nylon stretch with a quick-drying finish, a high waist and a chest pad that shapes without underwire.
• High-Waist Cut-Out Backless Swimsuit: A high-waist one-piece with a waist cut-out, an open back and a soft chest pad, cut from quick-drying polyester jersey with high elasticity.
• High-Waist One-Piece Swimsuit with Metal Rings: A high-waist one-piece in smooth nylon with a spandex lining, a soft chest pad and metal ring straps that catch the light at the shoulders.