Seriously Striking Swimsuits That Can Double as Tops…

Seriously Striking Swimsuits That Can Double as Tops Even When You're Nowhere Near Water

Leave your cover-up at home. (Credit: Courtesy of Johanna Ortiz)

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.