Bikini Tops
The bikini top, perfected for fit and made for summer. Explore supportive cup sized silhouettes, distinctive prints and premium fabrics designed to hold their shape, move with the body and take you from one destination to the next.
Support, Built In
Every Monte & Lou swimsuit is fully lined with our own bespoke lining, high in Elastane, to sculpt and support. Selected styles carry additional structure, with boning concealed in its own casing between the outer fabric and the lining, so support never shows on the outside.
Seams are enclosed wherever possible, keeping overlocked edges out of sight and away from the skin. Our fabrics are made from recycled nylon, chosen for their silky feel against the body and quick drying performance.
Choosing Your Style
Underwire - The most structured option. The wire holds the cup shape independently of the fabric, keeping the shape consistent through a long day of wear.
Bandeau - Strapless, for a clean neckline and no tan lines across the shoulders.
Bralette - A softer, unstructured shape with a wider band. The easiest style to wear from morning to evening.
Triangle - The lightest coverage, usually with adjustable ties so the fit can be set to you.
Multi Fit - Our adjustable construction, designed to work across more than one fit.
Crop - A longer line through the body with a stable band by design, and more coverage than a standard top.
Singlet - The most coverage we make in a top, with shoulder support and sun protection across the upper body.
Building A Set
Tops and bottoms are sold separately because most women do not take the same size in both. Every print runs across the full range of coordinating silhouettes, so a top in your size pairs with any bottom in the same print in yours.
Bottoms come in regular, mid rise, high waisted, tie side and skimpy rises, and every swim collection is produced alongside resortwear in the same prints and tones.
Regular · Mid Rise · High Waisted · Tie Side · Skimpy · Resortwear
What Sets Monte & Lou Apart
• Fully lined, every piece, in a bespoke lining high in Elastane
• Concealed boning in its own casing on selected styles
• Enclosed seams, with overlocked edges kept out of sight
• Recycled nylon fabrics that feel like silk and dry quickly
• Prints developed especially for Monte & Lou and used nowhere else
• Bespoke hardware and macramé strap detailing
• Tops and bottoms sold separately, coordinating across every silhouette
• Designed in Avalon Beach, Sydney
FAQs
How should a bikini top fit?
Start with the band. It should sit level around the ribcage and stay put when you lift your arms. If it rides up at the back, the band is the issue, not the straps. Straps carry far less of the weight than most people assume and should have a couple of fingers' clearance underneath. The cup should contain the bust with no spillage at the top or gaping at the side.
A new top should feel firm rather than tight. Our size guide gives bust and underbust measurements in centimetres for every size, which is the quickest way to place yourself before you order.
Which bikini top style gives the most support?
Underwire, generally. The wire holds the cup shape independently of the fabric, so support does not depend on the elastic still being firm at the end of a season. Bralettes and crops give moderate support through a wider band. Triangle styles give the least structure and rely on adjustable ties for fit.
Across every Monte & Lou style, the lining does more work than it does in most swimwear. Every piece is fully lined in a bespoke Elastane rich lining, and selected styles add concealed boning for structure.
Can I buy a bikini top and bottom in different sizes?
Yes, and most women do. Tops and bottoms are sold separately for exactly that reason. Every print is produced across the full range of coordinating tops and bottoms, so you can take one size on top and another on the bottom in the same print.
What sizes do Monte & Lou bikini tops come in?
Swim and apparel run in Australian sizes 8 to 16, which corresponds to US 4 to 12, EU 34 to 42 and UK 8 to 16. Bust measurements run from 84cm to 104cm and underbust from 69cm to 89cm across that range. Cup sizing is available up to an F. Cup availability varies by style and is shown in the filter at the top of this page.
What are Monte & Lou prints?
Every print is developed especially for Monte & Lou and appears in no one else's collections. The range spans full bloom florals, sixties inspired paisleys and shimmering stripes.
Our Core Collection takes the opposite approach. There are no prints, but distinctive fabrics including high gloss Lustre and our own M&L Rib.
How do I care for my swimwear?
Rinse in cool fresh water after every wear, before salt or chlorine dries in, and dry flat in the shade rather than in direct sun. Full washing and care instructions are available on our swimwear care page.
