Swimsuit season is finally here, and since living in Italy, I actually look forward to it! Summer holiday hot spots like the Italian Riviera and the Amalfi Coast are open for business and the world seemingly flocks to Italy for a taste of the good life. The glamorous beach looks warrant their own swim week, as sun-kissed Italians and tourists from around the world dress to the nines with their interpretation of la dolce vita.

From patterns to match those iconic Amalfi lemons to stylish bikinis that just belong on the bow of a classic gozzo in front of the famed Faraglioni rocks, I’ve rounded up nine flattering swimsuit styles I spotted while vacationing on the Amalfi Coast, so you can steal the look — whether you’re planning your own Italian getaway or want to emulate Italian style at your local beach at home. Keep scrolling for this travel writer’s top swim style trends.

The Classic White Underwire Bikini

American Trends Bikini Set

This is the forever style I’ll often see on an impossibly chic, perpetually bronzed European on the Amalfi Coast. When I summer, I hit the beach hard – days in the sun and surf. My crisp white swimsuits can lose their luster after a season or two. I love this bikini as the high-cut leg is ultra-flattering and the low price means I can stock up on a few to keep in rotation. The underwire offers comfortable all-day support. Gorgeous with a pair of cat eye sunglasses, this is made for sunning on the bow of a bobbing gozzo.

The Amalfi Lemon Print

Hilor Women’s One-Piece Swimsuit

Beautiful lemon trees, lemon pasta — the Amalfi coast is synonymous with lemons. Amalfitani take pride in their lemon culture so it isn’t too on the nose or cheesy to wear a lemon-printed swimsuit. In fact, you’ll see tourist shops filled with them. This Hilor women’s one-piece with a ruffle one-shoulder is a great option as not only does it look great beachside but also paired with slicked-back hair, great gold jewelry, and a maxi skirt to go from day to night.

Animal Print of the Moment: Zebra

Avanova Zebra Bikini Set

Whether it’s a subtle skinny belt or a faux fur car coat, an unexpected addition of animal print is a great way to jazz up a look. The new animal print of the moment among Milan’s fashion elite? Zebra. This zebra-printed, high-waisted bikini set boasts a high-cut leg and cheeky backside and supportive top that is sporty enough for water activities. If you’re in the market for a one-piece instead, this zebra print version with a strappy back is a great way to incorporate the print into your wardrobe if you want more coverage. Wear this with attention grabbing bold white sunglasses to create a striking moment. 

The Three-Tiered Cut-Out Swimsuit

Beaudrm Halter-Neck 3D One-Piece

One of my earliest swimsuit memories is of a cut-out black, fluorescent yellow, and hot pink suit. The colors, the cut outs, it was so ’90s. Because of this suit, the cut-out style has always held a special place for me. A major splurge that is currently on sale is this Giambattista Valli twisted cut-out swimsuit that seems to borrow from the design houses couture history. In fact, this swimsuit is so elegant, it definitely deserves a moment with a pair of sleek linen pants and dressy flats.

Amazon also has a beautiful option to try in the same style but (and the day to night styling flexibility of it) for those on a budget. The cut outs adorned with roses offer that extra bit of elegance to your standard bandeau and makes it look more expensive than it is at the under-$40 price tag.

’90s Style Minimalism

Yonique One-Shoulder Monokini

Speaking of that cut-out swimsuit I had in the ’90s, the ’90s are back in a big way this summer. I’m sure you’ve seen that everywhere. In swimsuits, that’s been translated into high legs, high shine, and color blocking. This black and white monokini is very similar to the one I had growing up and after seeing a similar style on the Amalfi Coast, I immediately added it to my cart!

The Tankini

Beachsissi Drawstring-Side, Halter-Neck Tankini Set

Ready for the style I saw that surprised me the most? The tankini! I know, for some, the tankini never really went anywhere as it’s such a practical fit – great coverage and comfortable. But you’re more likely to see a tankini on a cruise or family trip to Disney World than on the Amalfi Coast. But there they were: chic tankinis dotted across the sand. I saw neutral solids like black, white, and dusty rose with a-line style halter fits. If you’re doing the steps on those seaside cliff towns, a quick-drying tankini makes sense. Remember, the Amalfi coast has very picturesque hikes! Tankinis also give the air of an effortlessly cool holiday-maker, like youre a local.

The Retro Coquette

Ekouaer Ruched One-Piece Swimsuit

The ultra femme coquette style is majorly trending, as well as the gingham girly looks I saw on the Amalfi Coast, which is all reminiscent of European screen sirens like Brigette Bardot, Sofia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida. ’60s-era photos of these women in their curve-hugging swimsuits on Italian coasts seem to be reference photos for today’s holiday seekers. This ruched, cherry-printed one piece is a way to pay homage to the coquette femme style with a retro twist. The ruched bodice is amazingly figure-flattering and offers full coverage to keep you comfortable and on-trend.

The Pucci Print Lookalike

Soly Hux 4-Piece Swimsuit Set

The Pucci print is synonymous with Italy and there’s no better way to pay homage to Italian summer than a Pucci print bikini in the popular Marmo print that dates back to 1968. In a classic triangle bikini style, you’ll always spot this style often paired with a matching cover up like this sheer long-sleeve top. The full look is very Italian beach club. If you’re looking to get the look but at a more affordable price point, you can’t go wrong with this multi-colored four-piece set from Amazon, which gives you a full beach ‘fit (bikini set, skirt, and hair scarf) while it’s on sale for $29.

Metallic Embellishments

Floern One-Piece Swimsuit

Soon after college, while au-pairing in Puglia, I celebrated my birthday. One of the gifts I received from my Italian host family was a red bikini with gold metallic embellishments. I’m pretty sure it was a J. Lo collaboration with an Italian brand, and to me, the swimsuit was always very spicy! I still wear it to this day – it’s a standard red bikini, but that gold and bling embellishment gives it the extra oomph fit for the queen of Capri!

Metal on swimsuits might seem the opposite of beach friendly, but they are so stylishly Amalfi! This one-piece with its chain link straps in liquid gold – a very of-the-moment swimsuit color – is begging to be paired with a big hat and paparazzi-blocking sunglasses.

The Knit Cover-Up 

Bsubseach Crochet Cover-Up

The sheer layer trend is not just for Rihanna and other A-listers, but also for those of us who are still a little shy about fully bringing beachwear to the streets; so your holiday on the Amalfi Coast is the perfect place to try out the style. I love this neutral-colored cover-up, since the intricate knit is a bit more elevated than your standard mesh, making it perfect for putting on over swimsuits while exploring coastal towns during the day.

Crochet Knit Set

Amiblvowa Crochet Matching Skirt Set

Boho chic is a favorite summer style and crochet knit and macrame swimsuits are having a moment again. I’m definitely going to break out a few travel favorites of mine. I often loved how I was able to pair my crochet halters with maxi skirts for daytime exploring, even when I wasn’t at the beach. I’ve had my eye on a few iterations, including this Zimmerman black and white crochet look ever since spotting it in Positano two summers ago, but I was thrilled to spot a similar style for less at Amazon in this cute matching set.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.