Flounce Bikinis

What is a flounce?

A flounce is extra fabric gathered along a seam so it stands away from the body — a ruffled edge with more volume than a trim. On a bikini it reads as movement: the panel lifts when you move and falls when you stand.

This edit runs 18 styles, about $19 to $58, on the cuts the flounce detail works.

The styles in this edit

• Flounce tops with the gathered panel across the chest
• Off shoulder flounce sets with the ruffle over the arm
• Ribbed ruffle versions that add texture to the flounce
• High waist ruffle bandeaus for the retro take
• Asymmetric one shoulder cuts with a single flounce line

How to style a flounce set

• Let the movement be the detail. Keep the rest of the look smooth — a plain bottom under a flounce top, a solid cover up over the set
• Flounce reads best on top. A flounce bottom is the louder version, and it works when the top is the quiet one
• Pair with simple straps and hardware — the ruffle is already the texture

Caring for flounce swimwear

• The gathered edge is the part that snags. Button and zip bags, rough towels and deck chairs are what catch the flounce
• Rinse the gathered panel — water and salt pool in the gathers and dry stiff there first
• Dry flat or by the body of the set. Hanging a flounce by the ruffle stretches the gather line