Among exquisite pastries and Breton stripes, one of the greatest gifts France gave the world is the French bikini. Not only am I able to imagine myself lying out on a chaise lounge, poolside, at Hotel du Cap in Cap d'Antibes, but the classic swimwear style has more than enough functional and fit wins that it (often) doesn't even matter if my reality is a rooftop on the upper east side of Manhattan. French bikinis are — mark my words — one of the few swimwear style that actually looks equally stellar on flat- and large-chested alike.
How, you ask? French bikinis perfectly bridge the gap between their string and their full-coverage sisters. With a triangle-inspired shape, it's beloved by those less endowed on top [1] for it's unfussy and barely there silhouette. A French Bikini's over-the-shoulder straps, however, allow the more skin-baring top to provide loads more support than a retro string bikini top, allowing girls with a more pronounced bustline an option that lies short of an underwire balconette style.
Frankly, once I discovered my first French bikini, I never looked back, and rarely do I swap out my growing collection for something in a different silhouette or shape. So, as you continue to build your own swimwear arsenal [2] in anticipation of Summer, shop some of our favorite French bikini styles right here.
J.Crew
J.Crew Shoulder-Tie French Bikini Top in Seersucker [3] ($52).
J.Crew Seersucker Lowrider Bikini Bottom with Rickrack [4] ($48).
Faithfull The Brand
Faithfull the Brand Laurent and Abbey Tie-Detailed Floral-Print Triangle Bikini [5] ($158).
Asceno
Asceno Striped Bikini Top [6] ($117).
Asceno Striped Bikini Bottoms [7] ($117).
Belize
Belize Chiara Gingham Triangle Bikini Top [8] ($125).
Belize Winona Gingham Bikini Briefs [9] ($86).
Caroline Constas
Caroline Constas Marta and Mykela Twist-Front Polka-Dot Bikini [10] ($290).
& Other Stories
& Other Stories Tie Triangle Bikini Top [11] ($25).
& Other Stories Drawstring Tie Bikini Briefs [12] ($25).
Dodo Bar Or
Dodo Bar Or Jenna Floral-Print Bikini Top [13] ($117).
Dodo Bar Or Jenna Floral-Print High-Rise Bikini Briefs [14] ($130).
French Connection
French Connection Core Textured Triangle Bikini Top [15] ($38).
French Connection Core Texture Folded Bikini Briefs [16] ($48).
Matteau
Matteau The Petite Triangle Top [17] ($135).
Matteau The High Waist Brief [18] ($135).
Naelie
Naelie Izzie Bikini Top [19] ($115).
Naelie Joyce Bikini Bottoms [20] ($98).
Onia
Onia Danni Triangle Bikini Top [21] ($80).
Onia Ashley Ribbed Hipster Bikini Bottoms [22] ($95).
Solid & Striped
Solid & Striped Morgan Bikini Top [23] ($73).
Solid & Striped Morgan Bikini Bottom [24] ($73).
Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney Blue Monogram Bikini Top [25] ($195).
Stella McCartney Blue Monogram Bikini [26] ($160).
Talia Collins
Talia Collins The Triangle Bikini Top [27] ($92).
Talia Collins The Tie-Me-Up Bikini Briefs [28] ($81).
Araks
Araks Elsa Bikini Top [29] ($185).
Araks Enel Bikini Bottoms [30] ($120).