Show Some Skin In These 36 Low-Back One-Piece Swimsuits

The swim scene has come a very long way. Where itty bitty string bikinis were once de rigeur for looking sexy at the beach and by the pool, we're now opting for on-trend bathing suits that don't show off too much skin and rather show off just enough. To prove it, we're calling out the Goldilocks of swimsuits: one-pieces of the low-back variety. High up front (to avoid any wave-induced slippage) and low in back, these pieces officially end the days of compromising coverage for sex appeal.

The world of low-back one-piece swimsuits is nearly limitless, with everyone from Target and Anthropologie to Farm Rio and plus-size retailer Cupshe throwing their hats (or maillots) in the ring. While you may not get the line-less tan you're used to, it'll all be worth it when you don't have to spend any time adjusting and re-tying your string bikini after every dip in the water.

To help you find a swimsuit that's just right, we've laid out all the best straight-size and plus-size one-pieces. Trust us, you'll be ready to take on the warmer months with these not-too-revealing, not-too-conservative, low-back one-piece swimsuits.

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Summersalt The Ruffle Backflip Swimsuit

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Summersalt The Ruffle Backflip Swimsuit, $, available at Summersalt

Boamar Vivian One-Piece Swimsuit

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Boamar Vivian One-Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Anthropologie

Everlane The Square Neck One Piece

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Everlane The Square-Neck One-Piece, $, available at Everlane

Good American Always Fits Modern Tank Swimsuit

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Good American Always Fits Modern Tank Swimsuit, $, available at Good American

FP Beach Swim Amber One-Piece Swimsuit

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FP Beach Swim Amber One-Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Free People

Kona Sol Pucker Textured Square Neck One Piece Swimsuit

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Kona Sol Pucker Textured Square Neck One Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Target

Madewell Reversible Tie Spaghetti-Strap One-Piece Swimsuit

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Madewell Reversible Tie Spaghetti-Strap One-Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Madewell

Aerie Crinkle Scoop One Piece Swimsuit

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Aerie Crinkle Scoop One Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Aerie

Cupshe Plunge Twist Halter Plus Size One Piece Swimsuit

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Cupshe Plunge Twist Halter One Piece Swimsuit, $, available at cupshe

Lululemon Waterside V-Neck Skimpy-Fit One-Piece Swimsuit

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Lululemon Waterside V-Neck Skimpy-Fit One-Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Lululemon

J.Crew Fairfax Stripe Cross-Back One-Piece Swimsuit

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J.Crew Fairfax Stripe Cross-Back One-Piece Swimsuit, $, available at J.Crew

Free Society One Shoulder Cut Out Swimsuit

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Free Society One Shoulder Cut Out Swimsuit, $, available at ASOS

Adidas Adicolor 3-Stripes Swimsuit

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Adidas Adicolor 3-Stripes Swimsuit, $, available at Adidas

Frankies Bikinis Fawn Ruffle One Piece Swimsuit

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Frankies Bikinis Fawn Ruffle One Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Frankies Bikinis

La Blanca Cross Back One-Piece Swimsuit

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La Blanca Cross Back One-Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Nordstrom

PacSun Eco Black Selena Low Back One Piece Swimsuit

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PacSun Eco Black Selena Low Back One Piece Swimsuit, $, available at PacSun

RELLECIGA High Cut Low Back One Piece Thong Swimsuit

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RELLECIGA High Cut Low Back One Piece Thong Swimsuit, $, available at Amazon

Farm Rio Sweet Rio One Piece Swimsuit

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Farm Rio Sweet Rio One Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Farm Rio

Andie Swim The Bells One Piece

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Andie Swim The Bells One Piece — Eco Nylon, $, available at Andie Swim

Bleu by Rod Beattie Plus Size Kore Lace-Up One-Piece Swimsuit

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Bleu by Rod Beattie Kore Lace-Up One-Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Macy's

Lovers and Friends Essa One Piece

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Lovers and Friends Essa One Piece, $, available at Revolve

H&M High Leg Swimsuit

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H&M High Leg Swimsuit, $, available at H&M

Rio de Sol Hype Tie Front Brazilian One Piece

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Rio de Sol Hype Tie Front Brazilian One Piece, $, available at Zappos

Stone Fox Swim Azalea Printed One-Piece Swimsuit

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Stone Fox Swim Azalea Printed One-Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Maaji Nacar Reversible One Piece

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Maaji Nacar Reversible One Piece, $, available at Revolve

Dixperfect Retro Inspired High Cut Low Back One Piece

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Dixperfect Retro High Cut Low Back One Piece, $, available at Amazon

Miraclesuit Plus Size Escape Underwire Allover-Slimming Wrap One-Piece

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Miraclesuit Underwire Allover-Slimming Wrap One-Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Macy's

ASOS DESIGN Crinkle Low Back Swimsuit

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ASOS Crinkle Low Back Swimsuit, $, available at ASOS

Nike Lace-Up Tie-Back Swimsuit

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Nike Lace-Up Tie-Back Swimsuit, $, available at Nike

Norma Kamali Halter Low Back One Piece

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Norma Kamali Halter Low Back One Piece, $, available at Revolve

Swimsuits For All Cut Out Underwire One Piece Swimsuit

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Swimsuits For All Cut Out Underwire One Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Swimsuits For All

Bleu Rod Beattie Ring Me Up Off-the-Shoulder Cross-Back Mio

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Bleu Rod Beattie Ring Me Up Off-the-Shoulder Cross-Back Swimsuit, $, available at Zappos

Athleta Hampton One Piece Swimsuit

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Athleta Hampton One Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Athleta

Devon Windsor Paris Strappy One-Piece Swimsuit

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Devon Windsor Paris Strappy One-Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Agua Bendita Tulipa Suki One Piece Swimsuit

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Agua Bendita Tulipa Suki One Piece Swimsuit, $, available at Shopbop

BECCA by Rebecca Virtue Delilah Clare Plunge One-Piece

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BECCA by Rebecca Virtue Delilah Clare Plunge One-Piece, $, available at Zappos

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The H&M x Mugler Lookbook Is Here & It’s A Throwback To ‘80s Fashion

Following last month's teaser, the lookbook for the H&M x Mugler collaboration, out May 11, is here. And it’s exactly what you’d expect, with pieces ranging from bodycon dresses and mesh catsuits (a hallmark of Mugler) to structured blazers and M-logo belts. 

In March, the Swedish retailer revealed that it would be releasing a new collection in partnership with the storied French house founded by Thierry Mugler in 1973 and currently led by creative director Casey Cadwallader. “This collection is a watershed moment for the house of Mugler — a chance for us to celebrate our history and the pieces that we are beloved for today,” Cadwallader said via a press release.

It’s clear H&M looked to some of Mugler’s currently popular silhouettes and styles for the collaboration, as well as its archive pieces from the ‘80s and ‘90s, for inspiration. In addition to the signatures, there are also denim pieces that range from two-tone jackets to mesh jeans, as well as Mugler-approved athleisure, including corseted hoodies and bomber jackets. The accessories range from opera gloves and sheer tights to earrings bearing the signature Mugler star. 

“Casey and the Mugler team have been incredibly generous in offering up so many of the house’s classics and signatures, which shoppers will recognize from the runway and red carpet,” said Ann-Sofie Johansson, creative advisor at H&M, via the press release. “The collection encapsulates the H&M ethos of sharing great fashion and democratizing design.” 

For H&M, this is the latest of a series of designer collaborations over the past 20 years that have welcomed high-fashion names to the mass market, including brands like Karl Lagerfeld, Jimmy Choo, Kenzo, and Maison Margiela, among others. 

While we have to wait until next month for the collection to drop, that leaves plenty of time to peruse the lookbook to choose your favorites. Take a look ahead.  

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Ballet Flats Are The Trendiest Shoe Of 2023, Here’s How To Style Them

When it comes to ballet flats, there’s something inherently young about the shoe style. Perhaps it’s the easy slip-on design or maybe the tiny bow on the nose of the more traditional pairs. But with proper styling, the shoe’s star power is strong, which explains its current comeback as one of the biggest shoe trends of the season.    

“The ballet flat was definitely an aughts staple,” says fashion writer and ballet flat enthusiast Tyler McCall. “I can think of so many tabloid moments, whether it was Amy Winehouse in literal ballet slippers or Alexa Chung in a pair of denim cutoffs and bright Chanel flats. We’re all about mining that nostalgia at the moment.”

In the present day, Bella Hadid has been incorporating Sandy Liang’s flats into her model-off-duty wardrobe ever since the buckled pair made its debut on the brand’s Spring/Summer 2023 runway. Miu Miu became responsible for the It shoe of the season when it showed a slew of satin ballet slippers (heeled and flat). Whereas Mansur Gavriel has long understood the timelessness of flats, releasing several iterations of the ladylike shoe over the years — all with a modern twist.

But with the shoe back on the runway again, one question still remains: How can one wear ballet flats in a way that feels grown-up? Ahead, styling tips from experts.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

How To Style Ballet Flats: With Denim

McCall suggests pairing them with power pieces in your wardrobe, rather than flowy feminine silhouettes or sweet details like bows and crystals. “​​The best thing you can do is wear them with something tailored or structured,” the Gossip Girl historian explains. “The most classic way of doing this would be wearing jeans… It’s an easy way to make denim pieces feel more feminine.”

How To Style Ballet Flats: With Socks

For US General Manager of styling service Threads Styling, Amber Schiffer, the shoe serves as a staple in her core lineup. “My personal style currently is very Rosemary’s Baby-meets-‘80s horse girl,” the micro-influencer shares. “As a city girl, I wear them pretty much daily. In the colder months, I love to style them with knee[-high] or chunky socks.”

How To Style Ballet Flats: With A Mini Skirt Or Dress

When the sun is out, McCall loves the look of ballet flats with a mini skirt and tights. Add leg warmers over the tights, and it’s a foolproof way to integrate the look into your cold-weather closet. “They’re also great with a simple A-line mini à la Kate Moss in the ’90s,” she adds. Schiffer similarly suggests wearing the shoe “with something sexy like a sheer dress.”

If micro-mini hemlines aren’t your thing, Schiffer advises pairing ballet flats with “baggy basketball shorts, a cashmere sweater, and lots of gold jewelry.”

All that said, McCall advises shoppers to only buy into the unabashedly sweet trend if they feel it would work with their current personal style: “Imagine wearing them with at least three outfits you love and see if that works.”

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