Five Great Bikinis Under $50

Summer’s on its last legs, but there are still plenty of months for swimming ahead of us (especially if you live down south). Now’s the time to take advantage of great swimwear deals. To get you started, we’ve tracked down five bikinis that won’t hurt your budget. Whether you’re looking for a suit that will flatter your curvy figure or you’re going retro, we’ve got a bikini (or two) for you.

Fringe Halter Bikini, $46, Victoria’s Secret

In case you haven’t heard, VS has got something like 100 bikinis for under $49, but of all of them (and yes, we looked at all of them), we were the most obsessed with this one. The exotic look is huge right now, and what place better to indulge in your bohemian side than the beach?

Navy Polka Dot Bikini, $49, Topshop
If Helen Mirren can wear polka dots to the beach, so can you. Sweet spots are the season’s favorite print, and why not? They look adorable on literally everyone. We love the retro vibe of this Topshop bikini and think this is the perfect look for your fun in the sun.

Ruffled Halter Bikini, $47, Express
Unleash your inner bondgirl in this golden-hued python suit. The print is very Spring/Summer 2011, and the ruffles are genius for a petite girl who wants to create the illusion of a more voluptuous bust a la 007.

Kenneth Cole Reaction Swimsuit, $44, Macy’s
Not all bikinis are created equal, which means they don’t all have to show practically everything. You can still leave a little to the imagination while keeping your girly bits in check in a bikini with full coverage, like this Kenneth Cole confection. This no-fuss swimsuit keeps you covered in more ways than one, allowing you to focus on more important things, like sunbathing.

Mix & Match Separates, $19 per piece, Old Navy
Can’t pick just one bikini to rock this summer? We don’t blame you, but indecisiveness can get expensive. Thanks to retailers like Old Navy, you can afford to be a little wishy-washy. For less than $40, you can get started with two pieces, then add tops and bottoms of various cuts and colors as you go.