Fashionable Burkinis: The Main Trends in Cover-Up Beachwear

When my client, a socialite and confirmed agnostic, asked me to pack her a capsule for a cruise to the Maldives, her first request was: “No micro-bikinis. I want fashionable burkinis "So I can drink prosecco by the pool without burning up or changing clothes three times a day." And she's not alone in her desires.

We're used to perceiving one-piece swimsuits solely through the prism of religious precepts. But let's face it: today, they're a brilliant life hack for a resort wardrobe. They offer protection from the harsh sun, absolute comfort, and the ability to seamlessly transition from a beach lounger to a restaurant table. We've covered the evolution of this wardrobe item in more detail in our The complete guide to burkinis.

From Wetsuit to High Fashion: Why Everyone's Choosing the Trendy Burkini

The modest fashion industry has made a quantum leap. According to a 2023 DinarStandard report, over 35% of premium swimwear buyers are women who are not bound by religious dress codes. They are buying sun-safe fashion because they are tired of constantly reapplying SPF every two hours and are paranoid about photoaging.

Over my 12 years as a personal stylist, I've noticed a clear trend: every third client asks for a one-piece suit to be added to their vacation capsule. And brands have taken notice. Niche labels like Lanuuk and Lyra Swimwear, as well as collections from Cynthia Rowley, have elevated the burkini to the level of high style.

Technology is at the core of this trend. Modern one-piece swimsuits are made not from the heavy elastane of decades past, but from regenerated ECONYL® nylon or lightweight, breathable blends. These fabrics are UPF50+ certified (block 98% of UV rays) and dry in just 10–15 minutes in the hot sun.

Top 5 Cover-Up Beach Fashion Trends for 2024–2025

The "quiet luxury" aesthetic has reached the beach. Fashion houses, including Dolce & Gabbana, have set a new direction for niche brands: we're finally moving away from sporty, surf-inspired styles toward elegant resort looks.

Architectural cut, asymmetry and drapery

Forget boring, straight tunics. Complex lines are king today: asymmetrical hems, wrap-around silhouettes, and clever draping. As a stylist, I adore this trend for its shape-shifting properties. Diagonal draping at the waist can visually remove a few centimeters of volume and conceal the unwanted contours that are typically accentuated by wet fabric.

Textured fabrics: ribbed, crinkled and eco-friendly materials

Smooth, highly shiny Lycra instantly cheapens the look, harking back to the cheap aerobics aesthetic of the '90s. The main marker of an expensive swimsuit today is a matte texture. Ribbed or crinkled fabric not only looks elegant but also holds its shape better, preventing it from clinging to the body after exiting the water. You can learn more about why texture matters in our guide to eco-friendly fabrics.

Modular kits (Mix & Match)

Burkinis are no longer sold as a one-piece spacesuit. Modern brands offer modular, transformable systems. You can buy trousers and pair them with an asymmetrical tunic, a detachable belted skirt, and a hood (turban). The genius of this approach is that you can combine different top and bottom sizes for a perfect anatomical fit—after all, standard figures with the same bust and hip sizes are extremely rare.

Color Palette and Prints: How to Look Expensive on a Vacation

Want to look classy at the beach? Avoid bright colors and vibrant Hawaiian prints. Due to the large fabric area, any small, contrasting pattern in a one-piece swimsuit creates visual noise and turns you into a flowerbed.

My professional advice: choose a refined monochrome. A €100 set in deep emerald or terracotta will look like a designer piece, while a floral frenzy for the same price will instantly betray its budget origins.

• Earthy tones: Ochre, olive, warm sand, rust. They perfectly highlight a tan (even a light one) and look natural against natural backdrops.
• Gemstone colors: sapphire, ruby, rich amethyst.
• Color block: Use contrasting panels on the sides of the tunic to visually elongate the silhouette.

Consider yours color types of appearance , but remember the main rule of resort elegance: the more complex and muted the color, the more expensive the look.

The Biggest Mistake: Why a Black Burkini Is a Bad Idea

It's time to debunk the most popular myth of beach fashion. Most women instinctively buy black burkinis, following the premise that "black is slimming and appropriate everywhere." On the beach, this rule breaks down.

Firstly, physics is unbeatable: black fabric attracts the maximum amount of sun rays. The risk of overheating in a black one-piece suit in the Turkish or Dubai sun increases exponentially. Secondly, black is the least practical color for the coast. Sea salt and sunscreen beads instantly soak into the fabric, leaving unsightly whitish stains that are impossible to brush away.

"In the bright sun, a woman in a completely black one-piece swimsuit, due to the huge area of the dark spot, visually looks as if she is about to go scuba diving, and not relaxing in the cabana area."

Stylist alternative: Replace stark black with deep navy, chocolate, or eggplant. They offer the same slimming effect, but look much softer and more classy.

Smart Wardrobe: How to Incorporate a Burkini into Your Vacation Capsule

The main selling point of premium modest swimwear is its incredible cost-per-wear ratio. A modular set for €200–€250 easily replaces a pareo, evening tunic, and beach dress, totaling over €400.

Last summer, during a trip to the Amalfi Coast, I tried a personal experiment. I wore a textured khaki burkini tunic, tucked it into wide, off-white linen palazzo pants, added leather COS sandals, oversized sunglasses, and headed out to lunch. No one in the restaurant realized I was wearing a swimsuit top—it looked like a thick designer top.

What to wear with a burkini outside the beach:

1. With linen suits. A swimsuit top works as a base layer under an unbuttoned linen shirt.
2. With straw boater hats and chunky sunglasses. This instantly elevates the style from "simply comfortable" to "French Riviera."
3. With the right accessories. You'll be surprised, but chunky bracelets or chains pair perfectly with matte fabrics. (By the way, if you're unsure about metals, check out our article on How to wear gold and silver together ).

To avoid carrying unnecessary items, digitize your beach purchases in the app. MioLook Before your trip. The Smart Wardrobe tool will help you create transformable looks in advance, mixing a beach tunic with city clothes.

Pre-purchase checklist: what a personal stylist looks for

Buying a burkini online can be a gamble if you're not familiar with the subtleties of its construction. Here's the checklist I use when choosing one for my clients:

• Hidden fasteners. This is critically important. There should be hidden buttons or ties between the tunic and trousers. If there aren't, your tunic will float to the surface like a parachute when you enter the water.
• Density test. Light shades of Lycra may become translucent when wet. Choose a fabric weight of at least 190 g/m² or a double layer of fabric on the bodice.
• Anatomy of trousers. Only high-waisted and with a wide elastic waistband (at least 5 cm). Thin elastic will cut into the skin and create unsightly folds.
• UPF50+ marking. If the tag does not have this symbol, it means the fabric is UV-transparent and you will need to use sunscreen under your swimsuit.

When it does NOT work: Let's be honest, modular burkinis don't suit all body types without some adjustments. For example, if you have a pronounced inverted triangle shape (broad shoulders, narrow hips), avoid tunics with bulky shoulder pads or heavy, draped hoods—they'll make your top even heavier. A simple V-neck top and slightly looser-fitting trousers are your best bet.

Fashionable burkinis are no longer a compromise between personal beliefs and the desire to look stylish. Today, they're a manifestation of caring for your health, time, and comfort. Treat a one-piece swimsuit not as a necessary measure, but as a high-tech staple of your cruise wardrobe—and your vacation style will reach a whole new level.