11 Swimsuits That Make the Best Summer Tops

1. Crochet Bikinis

It's Now Cool The Crochet Bikini Bottoms

Crochet bikinis were an undeniable hit in the 1970s and had a brief revival in the 2010s, but they’ve largely flopped in modern times because they’re not super practical.

Seamoly Crochet Swimsuit

The crochet material tends to absorb more water than your typical swim-ready fabric, so it becomes heavy and saggy – not flattering. Plus, crochet swimmies can take a long time to dry and lose their shape quickly.

2. Belted Swimsuits

Beach Riot Sydney Belted One-Piece Swimsuit

Once a super stylish choice in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, belted swimsuits (especially one-piece swimsuits) were highly favored for their hourglass-enhancing look.

Vitamin A Luxe Link Belted One Piece

These days, they’ve become less common because the extra material can feel restrictive and impractical for swimming. The belt can easily dig into the skin, plus, modern designs can achieve similar figure-flattering effects with shaping silhouettes.

3. Swim Skirts

Old Navy High-Waisted Matte Swim Skirt

Swim skirts were beloved for their added modesty to any swim getup. Now, swimwear trends have moved toward sleeker, more streamlined suits!

J.Crew Swim Skirt

While some people still prefer swim skirts for extra coverage, many find them impractical because they add extra bulk. Showing more skin seems to be in!

4. Metallic Fabrics

Andie The Lipari One Piece

Shiny and eye-catching metallic swimsuits were especially popular in the 80s and early 2000s, but they’ve faded out of popularity due to some… wearability issues.

La Blanca Earth Lace-Up Underwire One-Piece Swimsuit

The metallic fabrics these suits are made of tend to be less stretchy, degrade faster with sun and chlorine exposure, and can look less flattering when wet. Not great!

Becca Liquid Metal Triangle Bikini Top

Today, swimwear leans toward matte and textured fabrics that are way more durable and comfortable.

5. Tankinis

Shade & Shore Bandeau Tankini Top

We honestly wish tankinis were still around with the cult following they had in the late ‘90s and early 2000s.

Boden Porto Tankini Top

Offering more coverage than a bikini but still being more versatile than a one-piece, tankinis have sadly been replaced by more modern designs like high-waisted bikinis and sleek one-pieces. Plus, tankinis can sometimes bunch up awkwardly or feel less secure when you’re swimming.

6. Zebra Print

Wild Fable Textured Medium Coverage Triangle Bikini Top

Animal prints were everywhere on swimwear in the early 2000s. While leopard print has made quite the comeback, zebra print isn’t as hot since it tends to look overly bold and outdated.

Sunkissed Le Triangle String Bikini Top

Most modern swimwear patterns now favor softer, abstract prints or straight-up solid colors for a more sophisticated look.

Abercrombie & Fitch Halter String Triangle Bikini Top

That isn’t to say you can’t wear zebra print swimsuits these days – if bold is your vibe, go for it!

7. Velvet Swimsuits

Triangl Maia Vyne Swimsuit

Velvet swimsuits had a brief moment in the limelight during the ‘90s and 2000s, but they were never truly practical. The fabric, while luxurious on land, is quite terrible to wear when wet – it absorbs water, takes forever to dry, and can feel heavy and clingy.

Cupshe One Shoulder Velvet Jacquard One Piece Swimsuit

Most people now prefer performance-ready swim fabrics that dry quickly and offer great stretch and comfort.

The A&F Emerson Linen-Blend Puff Sleeve Mini Dress

You guys, I'm not even kidding when I say this is the best dress I own. As a broad shoulder girly, the neckline is SO flattering. Plus, the material is thick and durable, but still breathable for a hot summer day. I own this in black which allows me to dress it up for dinner or wear it to work, but this vibrant pink — and the several other colors and patterns — is so cute for the summer time. At $60 (was $80), this is a steal!

J.Crew Squareneck Midi Dress In Linen

I need to be wearing this dress with a spritz in my hand ASAP. This dress is a J.Crew best seller for a reason — it makes the perfect warm weather staple. This design is so simple, yet with the help of some fun accessories, this dress can be a hundred different outfits. You can shop this dress in white, red, or black for $178.

Zara Linen Blend Midi Dress

You can never go wrong with a little slit in the summer. This linen blend dress is simple, yet elegant — perfect for any vacay dinner or date night. Throw on some cute sandals and chunky earrings and hit the town in this little green number. Plus, the tie-up back gives you easy adjustment depending on your chest size. Make this your next summer dress for $36 (was $49).

Madewell Square-Neck Mini Dress in 100% Linen

Great, I'll take 10 of them! No seriously — this dress is fabulous, the square neckline is just perfection, and stretchy chest area make this dress fit anyone like a glove. You can get this dress in white for a classic summer look, or it's also available in a light blue. If you're a tall girl, this style shows off your beautiful long legs. You can also get it in a wide range of sizes for $93 (was $110).

The A&F Emerson Strapless Linen-Blend Maxi Dress

Oh my god, the color of this dress is everything! I also appreciate a strapless dress in the summertime to show off my tan lines — there's something so luxurious and indulgent about it. This piece is so simple, which means room for you to customize with accessories. Although it's true to size, always be careful about sizing with strapless! A perfect linen staple for $72 (was $120).

A&F Linen-Blend Shell Mini Dress

There's something about a dress with an open back that always gets me. It makes for a fun little surprise you wouldn't expect from looking at the front of the dress — and it's a great excuse for an updo. This piece would be perfect for any more professional setting like work, happy hour with your fave coworkers, or lunch with the in-laws. You could be its next prideful owner for $42 (was $70).

H&M Linen Slip Dress

I cannot think of anything more summer appropriate than a linen slip dress. It's lightweight, super comfortable, and you can dress it up for a fancy dinner, or literally use it as a bathing suit cover up. Everyone needs a slip dress as part of their summer capsule closet. Add this one from H&M to yours in white or black for $55!

What should I watch after 1923?

There are plenty of TV shows any 1923 fan will love (beyond 1883 and Yellowstone of course!)

5 TV Shows To Watch After You Finish '1923' Season 2

Landman — Stream on Paramount+

In this Taylor Sheridan show, crisis executive Tommy Norris is fighting to secure his company's spot in the oil business during a fuel boom. Easier said than done. 1923 fans, keep your eyes peeled for Michelle Randolph!

Landman is on Paramount+ and stars Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph, Jacob Lofland, Kayla Wallace, James Jordan, Mark Collie, Paulina Chávez, Demi Moore, Jon Hamm, Andy Garcia, and Michael Peña.

Outer Range — Stream on Prime Video

If you like your Westerns with a side of sci-fi, tune into Outer Range. This show follows the Abbott family, who are trying to protect their ranch while also reconciling their daughter-in-law's disappearance. But things get even crazier when a black void appears.

Outer Range is on Prime Video and stars Josh Brolin, Lili Taylor, Noah Reid, and Imogen Poots.

When Calls the Heart — Stream on Hallmark+

1923 fans who can't get enough of Spencer & Alex's romance will want to watch When Calls the Heart, which follows teacher Elizabeth Thatcher as she relocates to the small town of Coal Valley, and faces all kinds of love, loss, and adventure.

When Calls the Heart is on Hallmark+ and stars Erin Krakow, Kevin McGarry, Pascale Hutton, Jaeda Lily Miller, Kavan Smith, Andrea Brooks, Chris McNally, Martin Cummins, Viv Leacock, and Jack Wagner.

Billy The Kid — Stream on MGM+

Before he became the infamous outlaw, Billy was just a kid who experienced all kinds of heartbreak, fell in love, and got into plenty of trouble. Watch our interview with star Tom Blyth!

Stream Billy The Kid on MGM+ and see Tom Blyth, Eileen O'Higgins, Daniel Webber, and Alex Roe.

Godless — Stream on Netflix

Godless is the perfect show for 1923 fans because it reorients the cowboy narrative we're all familiar with. It follows a supposed traitor named Roy who's chased by a gang of outlaws to La Belle, a town nearly entirely governed by women after a mining accident killed almost all the husbands, fathers, and brothers.

Godless is on Netflix and stars Jack O'Connell, Michelle Dockery, Scoot McNairy, Merritt Wever, and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.

Will there be another series after 1923?

There are a few more Yellowstone spinoffs on their way! In addition to the new show The Madison with Michelle Pfeiffer, it looks like we're also getting a spinoff about Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler.

What order to watch Yellowstone 1883 and 1923?

If you're new to the Yellowstone universe, you can watch the shows in chronological order or in release order, depending on how you want to experience the story. If you want to watch chronologically (my personal favorite), watch the shows in the following order:

• 1883
• 1923
• Yellowstone

But if you want to watch in release order, watch this way:

• Yellowstone
• 1883
• 1923