My Hunt for a Cool-Girl Tankini Top

Jennifer Lopez would love this, but sadly I am not Jennifer Lopez. She could pull off the plunging neckline, the ruched padded bra, and the chest jewelry, but she can also pull off that Versace dress. I did love the material and the striking cerulean shade, but until I have a yacht and a robust collection of sarongs and a seat on the judges’ panel ofAmerican Idol,this isn’t my tankini.

Youswim suits are the eighth wonder of the world. They’re engineered in their trademarked Versoform fabric, a stretchy ruched material that is unbelievably comfortable, like putting on a layer of second, better skin. I’ve loved Youswimbikinisfor years and dipped my toes into its tankini offering with the Juno cami.

In a rich espresso brown, Juno is an easy, seamless silhouette with a subtle scoop neckline. The straps are adjustable and personalizable, unhooking in the back so you can choose to wear them crossed or straight. I love this suit, but for all its countless merits, I’m not as obsessed with the look of the Versoform fabric as a tank. Youswim will remain my bikini purveyor of choice.

[Editor’s note: This cami is currently sold out, but you can sign up for restock notifications on theproduct page.]

Worn by the likes of Addison Rae and Charli XCX, Fruity Booty is an “It” girl’s go-to. I tried two tanks from the cult-favorite British brand. The first, its Reef tank, is a classic halter top in slate blue with green contrast details, including its signature waved piping at the chest. I love the Y2K-nostalgia vibe of this silhouette, and I love that the suit is designed with loops at the back so that you have the option of re-tying the halter into a spaghetti-strapped tank, but this suit’s just shy of My Perfect Tankini status. The material darkens with water and sweat, pulling it out of the running for going-out top, and not ideal for sweaty sun-bathing, either. But if you plan to be splashing around all beach-day long, then you’re fun and this is the tank for you.

My second candidate from Fruity Booty was a sexy tube top in a material unlike any I’ve ever felt before in a swimsuit, somewhere between terry cloth and velour. I love how it fits, straight and simple. I love the versatility afforded by the removable straps. But I don’t love the feel of the strip along the top line of the suit. It’s there so I don’t flash anybody while I’m playing mermaids, I know that. But I’d rather a wardrobe malfunction than chafing.

I’ve been singing the praises of Athleta’srunning gearto anyone who will listen. Its designs are at once modern and approachable, and the price point always feels fair — but this was my first foray into its swimwear offering. I was floored! The material of its Scoop Tankini is butter soft, patterned in cool-girl tiger print. It comes with a built-in bra for optimal flipping and diving, and I found the shape to be so flattering, designed with a subtle flare at the hips.

As soon as I felt the fabric I felt taken care of. It feels thick and expensive, like your friend’s dad’s credit card when he’s picking up the tab. The material alone made me immediately giddy — and that was before I stepped out into the sunlight to realize it has GLITTER WOVEN THROUGHOUT!

The design is perfect to me, too. It’s got cool green contrast piping at the top edge, adjustable straps, and a very subtly rounded neck. It’s a silhouette that recalls the hottest lifeguard at your childhood pool, your coolest babysitter. I love how it made me feel!

Shimmying into a Nu Swim suit makes me feel like a woman. For as long as I’ve followed the New York–based brand, I’ve upheld it as the swimwear final boss, the line that your most discerning colleague and your chic mom friend who’s wise beyond her years recommends as your first stop for a new suit. Like always, Nu Swim knows what it’s talking about. Crafted from an impossibly soft blend of recycled ocean waste (how?!) and regenerated nylon, the tankini is at once thin and substantial, feather-light with enough structural heft to make me feel like I could swim laps. The silhouette is simple and the straps are fixed, offering no capacity for adjustment — luckily, it fits like a glove.

The fit is slightly cropped, my belly button just peeking out below the bottom hem. I thought this would make it feel less wearable, but I found myself putting it on again and again. I’ve worn it to the movies, I’ve worn it to the park, I’ve worn it out to dinner, and I’ve worn it to the beach, and I’ve felt like a million bucks every time.