I spent almost my entire twenties buying nothing but flimsy little string bikinis because I honestly believed that the only way to look hot at a beach resort was to expose as much skin as physically possible. But last summer I was scrolling through some vacation photos a friend took of me from behind while I was walking toward the ocean and I realized something kind of disappointing. My basic two piece bikini just looked sort of predictable and it did not really do anything amazing for my shape from the back view. That was the exact moment I decided to switch things up and invest in a few low cut one piece swimsuits that featured really dramatic strategic strap designs across the back. Let me tell you that making this switch was a total revelation because a bare back framed by gorgeous intricate straps is infinitely more interesting and high fashion than just being completely naked. When you wear a suit that is relatively simple and elegant in the front but features a total masterpiece of geometry when you turn around it creates this incredible element of surprise that makes everyone look twice.
The intricate criss cross lattice design that completely snatches your waistline
My absolute holy grail layout for a vacation swimsuit is a deep scoop back that features a lattice of thin criss crossing straps that you can lace up yourself. This design is not just about looking pretty because it actually serves as a heavy duty built in corset for your torso. Because the straps go back and forth through small loops along your sides you can pull them as tight as you need to perfectly hug your specific ribcage and waist flare. The diagonal lines create this beautiful optical illusion that makes your lower back look incredibly narrow while giving your hips a gorgeous rounded shape. It is the perfect blend of total customizable comfort and high effort glamour that makes you look like a high end swimsuit model even if you just rolled out of bed.
The minimalist single vertical spine strap that elongates your entire frame
If you are a shorter girl or if you just want to look incredibly tall and lean in your vacation photos you need to look for a suit with a single vertical strap running straight down your spine. This design usually starts as a sleek halter neck or clean shoulder straps that merge into one crisp line that connects right at the base of the suit. This layout works absolute wonders for your silhouette because it draws a long uninterrupted line right down the center of your back which fools the eye into thinking your torso is super long and elegant. It gives off this very modern athletic chic vibe that feels effortless and expensive without needing a million distracting bells and whistles.
The horizontal ladder layout that offers maximum security for actual swimming
A huge issue with a lot of low cut backless swimsuits is that the second you try to dive into a wave or swim some laps the shoulder straps start sliding off your arms and the whole suit feels loose. If you actually love playing in the ocean but still want that gorgeous bare skin view you should definitely try a horizontal ladder strap style. This setup features two or three thick flat bands that run straight across your upper back from shoulder to shoulder. It creates this super cool graphic cut out pattern that looks incredibly modern while acting like a solid structural cage that keeps your sleeves and bust completely locked in place no matter how rough the water gets.
The micro string minimalist setup for the girls who live for the perfect tan
We cannot talk about back straps without mentioning the nightmare of uneven sun lines that can totally ruin your look when you try to wear a backless dress for dinner. If you are someone who spends hours tanning on a lounge chair you want to look for a multi tie micro string layout where the fabric lines are about as thin as shoelaces. These suits usually feature adjustable sliding straps that you can easily unclip or move around while you are laying face down on your towel. It gives you that ultra clean look from behind with almost zero thick white contrast lines on your skin while the tiny strings add this very delicate feminine texture to your beach style.
Going full resort luxury with a dramatic statement bow tie finish
My final recommendation for anyone looking to truly upgrade their beach wardrobe is to go for a suit that finishes with a thick luxurious bow knot right at the small of your back. This style usually features two wide silky bands of fabric that wrap around your ribs and tie into a beautiful oversized bow just above your hips. This design screams old Hollywood luxury and looks so incredibly sophisticated that you can literally just slide a linen wrap skirt over the bottoms and walk straight into a five star restaurant for sunset cocktails. It adds a gorgeous pop of 3D texture to your silhouette and makes you look like the most stylish person at the resort without even trying.
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