Swimsuits are designed to be worn in or at least by water. Whether that body of water is the ocean, a lake or a backyard swimming pool. Usually once you're done swimming laps or through getting some sun, you throw on some form of cover-up and head to your next destination. In the interest of saving you some time and, frankly, some money, we're cutting out the middle man, so to speak at least. We've tracked down swimsuits so stylish that you can skip the cover-ups and just sport the suits as tops.
What makes a suit able to stand on its own sartorial laurels? Well, it needs to have plenty of personality up top. Well-placed cut-outs, plunging yet not too revealing necklines, ruffles and even ruching will all help you accomplish your goal of rocking fewer layers. (Which is especially helpful when there's a heat wave going on.)
The following one-pieces and bikini tops are strong contenders. They're also easy to pair with summer's principal partners, like denim cutoffs, miniskirts or even micro skirts if you're still clinging to Miu Miu's vision and linen pants. We're relatively sure you already have those somewhere in your closet.
Staud Amari One Piece Madras Plaid, $195 at Staud
Sea Liat Embroidery Flutter Sleeve One Piece, $295 at Shopbop
Cult Gaia Catriona One Piece in Lollipop, $358 at Cult Gaia
Reformation Tossa Bikini Top in Black, $98 at Reformation
Etro Tie-Detailed Printed Swimsuit in Red, $590 at Net-a-Porter
Zara Draped Tulle Swimsuit, $49.90 at Zara
Diesel Pamela One-Piece Swimsuit, $125 at Free People
Roberto Cavalli Ray of Gold Printed Lycra Swimsuit, $435 at Luisa Via Roma
Magda Butrym Appliquéd Halterneck Swimsuit, $715 at Net-a-Porter
J.Crew Cutout One-Piece Swimsuit in Stripe, $107.99 at J.Crew
Versace 80's Print Swim One-Piece, $650 at Shopbop
Johanna Ortiz Ashninka Cutout Back One-Piece Swimsuit, $395 at Moda Operandi
Dsquared2 Lycra One Piece Swimsuit w/Rings, $410 at Luisa Via Roma
Staud Alder One Piece Pearl Pink, $225 at Staud
SIR. Sol High Cut One Piece, $120 at SIR.
Cult Gaia Allegra One Piece in Champagne, $358 at Cult Gaia
Marysia La Roche Scalloped Cutout Seersucker Underwired Swimsuit, $409 at Net-a-Porter
Louisa Ballou Buckle One Piece, $147.50 at Shopbop
SIMKHAI Maelle One Piece, $225 at SIMKHAI
Agua By Agua Bendita Victoriana Encaje One Piece Swimsuit, $410 at Luisa Via Roma
Staud Sandy One Piece Navy Ivory, $275 at Staud