Shell Bikini

What shell detail means on a bikini

Shell detail is the hardware family — the seashell shape on the trim, the buckle, the tie point and the cup edge. The shell is a finished metal or resin piece fixed into the set, and it reads as the ocean statement on a swim cut.

The pool runs 15 styles, about $33 to $62 — the tie dye seashell trim micro, the pleated high waist with the shell metal buckle, the shell micro Brazilian thong, the luxury seashell tie side bandeau, the elegant shell underwire and the metallic trim ruched high cut.

The styles in this edit

• Tie dye seashell trim micro set in the Brazilian cut
• Pleated high waist set with the shell metal buckle
• Shell micro Brazilian thong build
• Luxury seashell tie side bandeau set
• Elegant shell underwire Brazilian build
• Metallic trim ruched high cut triangle set

Styling the shell hardware

• The shell piece is the statement — keep the rest of the outfit clean and the hardware reads as the detail
• For the underwire shell builds, the cup shape and the hardware work together; skip the extra jewelry
• Off the beach, a shell trim top under a light shirt keeps the hardware visible
• Match the shell tone to the metal you wear — the hardware reads as jewelry in the set

Caring for shell hardware swimwear

• Rinse the hardware after the water — salt corrodes the shell piece before the fabric
• Dry with the hardware to the air; the fixed piece holds water in the detail
• Do not press the shell trim under the dryer weight; the fixed piece takes a set
• Check the buckle and the tie points after a season; the hardware edge takes the wear load