Bandeau Bathing Suit

The best place to find bandeau swimwear is online. Why? Because your choices are endless and the price is always more competitive than in your local store. If you want to buy bandeau swimsuits offline, then look for brands like Figleaves, Sofia, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tommy Bahama or Becca from top bating suit designer Rebecca Virtue.

What is a bandeau top?

Be it a one piece – monokini – or 2 piece bathing suit, the word bandeau always refers to the top. It’s French for band and the basic style is just that: a "tape" kind of cloth that goes around the bust. To keep it in place, add some elasticity or more conventional, add a cord from the middle of the bust (mostly around a ring shaped accessory) and strap it around your neck. In other words: it’s a swimsuit top without the shoulder straps. However, detachable straps can add extra support.

Why wearing a bandeau?

Since this type of bathing suit comes without shoulder straps, it’s your ideal beach garment to get a sun tan without having to worry about tan lines.

Why not wear a bandeau?

Not having any straps at all makes this style more difficult to wear although you get support from either an adjustable drawstring or an inner elastic band or keep the top in place. This works well for a bandeau bikini. A strapless top on a traditional one piece bathing suit however could evoke some embarrassing moments. A smart designed monokini could be your solution if you prefer waring one pieces.

Since ‘the flaw’ of this swimwear is keeping it up without straps, it is clear that a bandeau is not ideal for women with a big bust. A perfect fit is when the top just snugs against the bust line: too big and it just won’t stay on, too little too tight and it will create unsightly rolls above or under the bandeau, as well as under your arms.

Simply put: the less it has to support, the easier it becomes to wear. Otherwise you can always opt for a design with straps if you want to be on the safe side when walking on the beach or swimming in the pool.

Who should wear a bandeau bathing suit?

Apart from what we mentioned above, the bandeau looks also stunning on slim hourglass shaped women. To accentuate your bust: choose a bright, colorful top and a black or dark bottom. Your ideal body type is at most a B cup or smaller and your body should be in a sleek and muscular shape.

For those women who are more voluptuous and fear that the top could come off, we recommend wearing a straight bandeau or simply buy one with a strap in the middle.

The strapless shoulder look is ideal when your body is in a tight tip-top shape!

What is a bandeau’s perfect fit?

Your bathing suit fits well when you lower your arms and see that there is nowhere skin bulging out, nor is the bathing suit trying to ‘cut itself a way inside your body’ due to being too tied. Your breast should be fully covered and the straps are merely ornamental.

So far so good: now bend yourself in all kinds of positions whilst jumping up and down: if the top is still where it should be, go ahead and buy your stunning bandeau bathing suit immediately!