Bralette Bikinis

We all have a favourite bikini that always makes it into the suitcase. Often, it's because of the way it fits and makes you feel when you wear it. It’s your favourite because you are happy wearing it for an afternoon by the pool or on the beach. You don’t leave for holiday without it. For anyone who prefers straps over the shoulders, a bralette could become that bikini.

We love the cropped shape with a matching bikini bottom, particularly when there is a beautiful print running through the set. Our Zuri and Fior di Limone bralette bikini tops share the same construction, but the colours take them in quite different directions. Our Zuri features a gorgeous, deeper indigo print on white. With our Fior di Limone, you get a softer palette, with zesty yellow lemons and delicate blossom against sky blue.

What Is a Bralette Bikini

The name comes from lingerie: a bralette is a soft bra, and you’ll see that the swimwear version borrows from that shape. Beyond that, there is quite a bit of variety, particularly in the neckline and how far the fabric extends below the bust. You may have seen other bralettes, but until you’ve tried ours, you won’t know how much you might love a bralette bikini.

Some are very minimal. Others have more coverage in the front and look more like a cropped vest. Our two bralettes have that cropped tank shape, with narrow straps and padding sewn into the cups.

Bralette or Triangle Bikini

The straps are often what settle this choice. A halter neck triangle ties behind the neck; our bralettes sit over the shoulders instead. If you know you dislike a neck tie, that alone may persuade you towards the bralette.

There is a difference through the front, too. A sliding triangle has two cups that you can reposition along the string underneath. On our cropped bralettes, the front stays in a fixed shape. There are no sliding cups to spread or gather. The adjustment is in the straps, which you can lengthen or shorten over your shoulders.

You may already know which style you prefer. Perhaps you always choose a halter neck, or perhaps reaching behind your neck to tie a bow is something you would happily do without. If you are undecided, try both shapes in a similar print. It is easier to notice the difference in fit when you are not also comparing completely different colours.

Trying on a Bralette

Before deciding on the size, spend a little time with the strap sliders. A top can arrive with them set much shorter than you need. You simply need to fasten the back, settle your cups around your bust, then adjust each strap until it feels comfortable on your shoulders. It’s as easy as that.

Have a look at the back in a mirror, or if you can’t see that far around, you could ask someone to check it for you. The band should be reasonably level around your body. At the front, you are looking for enough room in the cups, without an edge pressing across your bust. If the fabric is stretched tight, it is worth trying a different size rather than hoping it will feel better on holiday.

Then sit down in it and move your arms. Would you be comfortable bending to pick up a towel? Do the straps stay where you put them? Give yourself time to notice anything that would bother you after an hour or two.

For a fuller bust, the amount of support is likely to be part of that decision. The word ‘bralette’ does not promise a particular level of support. You may find a style you love, or you may prefer the more defined fit of an underwired bikini. There is no reason to keep a top that leaves you feeling unsure.

Our Top Bralette Bikinis

Zuri Bralette Bikini Top in Porcelain

Blue and white has a lasting place in a summer wardrobe, and our Zuri Bralette Bikini Top in Porcelain makes the most of that pairing. The indigo gives the print definition against the white, especially across the simple front of the bralette.

There are gold-tone rings where the straps meet the top, with further ring detailing at the back. We like being able to see a little of that detail beneath an open shirt. An ivory linen shirt would work beautifully here, perhaps with navy shorts for the walk to the beach.

Inside, the padded cups are sewn in. If you are used to taking inserts out of your swimwear, that is a difference to bear in mind: these are part of the top. At the back, there is a clip fastening. You can alter the length of the slim straps using the adjusters.

For the bottom half, our Zuri print offers a banded hipster, gathered-side and ring-detail options. Have a look at the different waistbands before choosing your set. The same top can feel quite different worn with a bottom that sits a little higher or lower on your hips.

Fior di Limone Bralette Bikini Top in Sorrento Sky

The print is the first thing you notice about our Fior di Limone Bralette Bikini Top in Sorrento Sky. Soft lemons sit among blossoms and green leaves, with pale blue behind them. Plenty is going on in the pattern, but the colours keep it gentle.

We would pair this one with the matching ruched high-waist pant. It brings more of the print into the outfit and gives you extra coverage around the waist. For a lower waistband, take a look at the gathered-side or ring-detail pant instead.

Our Zuri bikini top features sewn-in padded cups, a back clip and narrow adjustable straps. Gold-tone rings appear at the front strap attachments and at the back. The two prints give you another option if you have found you enjoy wearing this particular style of bikini.

For something to wear over the set, we would choose a white cotton skirt. It picks up the blossom in the print, and you could add a loose blouse when you want a little more coverage. There is no need for that much jewellery with those small gold-tone rings already on the straps.

Choosing Your Bikini Bottoms

It is easy to spend all your time choosing the top and add the matching bottoms almost as an afterthought. We would give the waistband a little more consideration. After all, that is the part you will notice when you sit down on a sun lounger or lean forward to find something in your bag.

A hipster leaves more of your middle bare. A high-waist pant comes further up the body, bringing the print with it. You can wear either with a bralette. You’ll find there is no set rule that the cropped top needs a particular bottom to go with it. Wear whichever style you like the most. Have a look at the options in the same print. You might find you still prefer your usual cut.

Each piece is sold individually here at Jo Severin. You can order a different size in the bralette and the bottoms, rather than choosing a set that fits well in one place and less well in another.

Looking After Your Bralette Bikini

When you get back from the pool or beach, we suggest that you give your bikini a rinse in fresh water. When it comes to washing it, follow the instructions on your care label. The cups in our Zuri and Fior di Limone bralette bikinis are sewn in, so leave them in place when washing your bikini.

Please be gentle when squeezing out the water from your bikini. Don’t twist the fabric tightly to wring it out. And don’t put it on the radiator or in the tumble dryer to dry it. Find somewhere it can dry fully before you fold it away. If it has been wrapped in a towel on the journey back, take it out when you unpack.

Both bralettes are in our bikini collection, alongside the coordinating bottoms. Our Zuri bralette bikini would be our suggestion if you love a strong blue and white print. If softer colours tend to fill your suitcase, have a closer look at our Fior di Limone bralette bikini. Both are fabulous, so our suggestion would be to buy both.