Editors Love to Gatekeep This Bikini Brand—4 Outfits I Tried On and Have to Talk About

Here at Who What Wear, we believe the era of fashion gatekeeping should be over. So we're pulling back the curtain and exposing the industry's most closely guarded secrets—starting with the bikini brand that takes up real estate in every fashion editor's closet: Monday Swimwear.

Founded by content creators turned entrepreneurs Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman, Monday Swimwear has achieved cult-like status in the industry thanks to its unparalleled focus on fit, quality, and timeless design. It's one of the few brands that prioritize size inclusivity above all else. Its bikinis—from the signature Amalfi top to its universally flattering bottoms—come in sizes "Petite Petite" to "Very Very Voluptuous." Keeping in line with its mission to cater to all shapes and sizes, the brand has recently launched a Small Band, Large Cup collection (fits a 28" to 34" underbust and DD to G cup), offering new fits for those with smaller frames and fuller busts in three of its best-selling underwire swimwear styles.

But it's not just bikinis and one-pieces. The brand offers an entire vacation wardrobe. You can find easy drawstring pants to throw over a bathing suit, a structured straw tote to pull any outfit together with polish, sarongs that can be tied around the waist or worn as tops, crochet mini and maxi dresses that can be taken from the beach to the bar, and statement earrings that tell the world you have style.

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Drawing from Oakley's Australian heritage and Brugman's California origins, the two have integrated elements of both locations into their brand. This fusion combines the relaxed California vibe with the sun-washed coastal energy characteristic of Australian fashion, resulting in pieces featuring surf-inspired textures, earthy hues, and modern details that are both beach ready and city chic.

Since 2014, Monday Swimwear has built a strong, trustworthy reputation in the market. This success has enabled the brand to grow its DTC presence beyond online sales to physical stores, starting in Los Angeles and recently expanding to New York City. Living in NYC and having never tried anything from the brand before, I made it my job to visit the Monday Swimwear NYC store within a week of its opening to experience it firsthand.

Keep scrolling to see the four outfits I tested and read my honest thoughts on the fit and style of the pieces.

A Look Inside the NYC Store

What I Tried On

Outfit #1

My Review: The summer hasn't even begun, and I'm already obsessed with the idea of wearing sarongs (has to be large ones, though) in unexpected ways. That's why, when I walked into the store and spotted the Marina Piccola in an elevated brown-and-white print, I knew it had to be the first thing I tried on. I decided to style it as a strapless top and paired it with the Tahiti pants, a very lightweight, comfortable style that can be dressed up or down.

While these pieces look chic together, their versatility opens up countless styling options beyond what's shown. I can easily picture wearing the Piccola as a skirt over a white bikini or pairing the Tahiti pants with an elevated tank top and kitten heels. Both pieces fit true to size; however, petite women should note that the pants run long.

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Outfit #2

My Review: If you know me, you know I'm not typically one to wear much color. I gravitate almost exclusively toward black, white, and varying shades of beige. That said, you're probably wondering what possessed me to not only try on but also fall for this light-blue crochet dress and matching bikini. My honest answer is the store associates at the Monday Swimwear store. They didn't just suggest it; they highly recommended I try on the entire ensemble. I ended up loving the look, and to my own surprise, I think the light blue complements my fair skin and dirty-blonde hair.

Color aside, what truly won me over was the fit and quality of the Montego dress. I've always been skeptical of crochet dresses because I find the fabric thick and unflattering; however, this one was quite the opposite. It was light and draped beautifully. The bikini underneath also fits really well, offering both support and comfort. Both pieces run true to size.

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Outfit #3

My Review: A linen set, whether it's a bralette and trousers or a button-down shirt and pants, is a summer-wardrobe nonnegotiable for a fashion editor. Not only are the linen pieces lightweight and breathable, perfect for extremely hot days, but also the effortless nature of a set lets one dress intentionally with little to no thought.

Monday Swimwear offers a myriad of linen pieces and matching sets, but I tried on the La Jolla top, an oversize button-down shirt, and the Casablanca shorts, tailored shorts with a trouser-like waistband. Both pieces come in a range of colors from cerulean blue to cherry red, but I went with caramel because I think it would look so luxe against sun-kissed skin—or just a spray tan. To create a full outfit, I styled the shirt and shorts over the Cala Roja top and Marseille bottom in the ivory and caramel colorway, and I added the Paloma Bag in espresso to tie in more brown shades. The shirt runs large, but the shorts and bikini run true to size.

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Outfit #4

My Review: I don't know if it's because I'm getting older, but something about a one-piece swimsuit feels a lot more effortless and cooler to me than a bikini. Luckily, Monday Swimwear has the best options made from supportive materials that really hold you in and cinch your waist. I particularly love the Clovelly style (which I tried) for its adjustable straps and the back-tie closure, which offer a customized fit. Plus, the built-in underwire provides shaping for the chest—a definite bonus. To complete the look, I paired the swimsuit with the same drawstring pants from the first outfit and accessorized with a mini straw tote and a black scarf tied around my head—a trend you can expect to see on the style set this summer.

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Shop More New Arrivals From Monday Swimwear