The Best Modest Swimwear & Burkinis

There is a particular kind of freedom in a swimsuit that asks nothing of you — one you can dive into, lounge in and walk a beach in without a single tug or recalculation. For a long time, modest swimwear was treated as an afterthought: a rail of shapeless tunics in unhappy colours, tucked behind the bikinis. No longer. The best modest swimwear today is properly designed clothing — fluid, considered, quietly luxurious — built for women who want full coverage and nothing less than elegance. Whether you are drawn to a long-sleeve one-piece, a high-neck rash guard, a swim dress or a full burkini, the modern offering is genuinely covetable. Below, our edit of the labels doing it best — the ones we'd actually pack.

Lyra — The Modern Burkini, Reimagined

If any name has rewritten the burkini for the contemporary woman, it is Lyra. Founded on the idea that coverage and beauty are not opposing forces, the label cuts its full-coverage swimsuits and burkinis from quick-drying, chlorine-resistant fabric that holds its shape through every length of the pool. The silhouettes are clean and architectural — fitted enough to feel intentional, fluid enough to move — and the palette leans into deep, grown-up tones rather than apology. These are pieces that look as composed poolside as they do in the water, which is precisely the point. For first-time modest swimmers, it's the gentlest, chicest place to begin. Shop Lyra

Cover — Sun Protection as Quiet Luxury

Cover began with a dermatologist's brief — full UPF 50+ protection — and ended up making some of the most elegant covered swimwear on the market. Think long-sleeve unitards, hooded swim dresses and flowing caftans in a restrained, almost monastic palette of black, ivory and stone. The genius is in the restraint: nothing here shouts, yet everything reads as expensive. For the woman who wants modesty driven by sun-sense and style in equal measure — and who has perhaps grown tired of reapplying SPF every forty minutes — Cover is the discreet, sophisticated answer. It travels beautifully, too, from the lap pool to lunch with barely a transition. Shop Cover

Aab — Considered Coverage, Beautifully Done

A British favourite, Aab has built its reputation on modest dressing that never feels like a compromise, and its swim offering follows the same philosophy. Expect full-length burkinis and two- and three-piece sets with matching tunics and leggings, cut from durable, fast-drying fabric in thoughtful prints and muted solids. What sets Aab apart is the finish: neat seams, generous coverage that still skims the figure, and a fit designed for actually swimming rather than merely standing about. For UK shoppers wanting a trusted name with proper sizing and reliable delivery, this is the dependable, polished choice. Shop Aab

Sea Level — Australian Ease, Full Coverage

For modesty with a sun-warmed, off-duty sensibility, Sea Level is hard to better. The Australian label specialises in long-line one-pieces, long-sleeve rash-guard styles and longer-leg bottoms that offer real coverage without ever tipping into severity. The fabrics are substantial and supportive — proper, grown-up swimwear that holds you in — and the cuts are flattering across a wide range of bodies. It's the sort of swimsuit you can wear from a morning swim to a beachside afternoon and feel entirely at ease in. Effortless is an overused word, but here it genuinely applies. Shop Sea Level

Lands' End — High-Street Heroes for Real Swimming

Not every modest swimsuit needs a designer price tag, and Lands' End proves it season after season. The label is something of a cult secret among women who want genuine coverage — swim dresses with built-in shorts, high-neck tankinis, long-sleeve rash tops and full-leg leggings — all in a sizing range that is properly inclusive. The fabrics are robust, the colours are wearable, and the construction is built to survive chlorine, salt and years of family holidays. For practical, no-fuss modesty that performs, it remains a quietly brilliant high-street hero — the workhorse of the modest swim drawer. Shop Lands' End

Melissa Odabash — Coverage with Resort-Glamour

For the woman who wants modest cover without surrendering an ounce of glamour, Melissa Odabash bridges the two worlds beautifully. While the label is best known for its jet-set bikinis, its high-neck one-pieces, long-line silhouettes and exquisitely cut kaftans make it a genuine destination for elevated, more-covered swim. The prints are painterly, the tailoring impeccable, and a Odabash kaftan thrown over any swimsuit instantly lifts the whole look to something Riviera-worthy. It's the most overtly luxurious name on this list — and the one to reach for when modesty meets a five-star pool. Shop Melissa Odabash

How to Choose & Style Modest Swimwear

Start with fabric: for full-coverage styles, you want something quick-drying and chlorine-resistant with at least UPF 50+, so wet fabric never clings or drags. Pay attention to leg and sleeve length — a true burkini covers wrists to ankles, while a long-line one-piece or swim dress offers gentler coverage if you're easing in. Fit is everything: modest swimwear should skim, not swamp, so size for support rather than hiding in volume. For styling, a beautiful kaftan or longline cover-up does the heavy lifting between water and lounger, and a wide-brimmed hat finishes things with a flourish. If you're new to covered swim, begin with a single elegant one-piece and a throw-over before committing to a full set. And once you've found your shape, the rest of the wardrobe builds itself. For more, browse the edit, or if you prefer something sculpted and minimal beneath a cover-up, our notes on Hunza G and the wider brand directory are a good place to wander next.