There was a time when the one-piece was simply the stopgap of swimwear—pulled out in a pinch, perhaps post-baby or after a stint of not hitting the gym for a while. But in its newest iterations, the maillot isn’t simply a means to camouflage your winter body, it’s the chicest style you’ll find poolside, sur la plage, or anywhere else, for that matter.
Thanks to alluring upgrades such as high-rise, hip-baring cuts, spare keyhole details, and plunging scoop backs, these suits are serving up a sensibility that’s more Helmut Newton than matronly beachwear, in shapes to flatter every body type. Our advice for making the silhouette work? Keep it simple. Forgo fussy prints or over-the-top graphics, and opt for solid, mod stripes instead—or if you’re feeling especially cheeky, maybe a macro-gingham. Trust us: Even the most basic among these styles will speak volumes.
