Is Monday Swimwear Worth It? An Honest Review
Worth it, for the right shopper
Earns the spend if you travel, have a fuller bust, or value fit and a coordinated resort wardrobe over fast-fashion volume. Not for occasional swimmers.
What we loved
- ✓ Cup-specific fit, genuinely supportive for a fuller bust
- ✓ Flattering French-cut, anti-wedgie bottoms
- ✓ A full resortwear range that mixes effortlessly
- ✓ Recycled-nylon fabric and reusable packaging
Worth knowing
- ✗ Premium price (most full suits $150–$200)
- ✗ Plain solids feel less special than the price suggests
- ✗ Some pale colors go slightly sheer when wet
- ✗ Shimmer fabrics snag more easily and need gentle care
How we scored it
If you have spent any time on the summer side of TikTok or scrolled a single golden-hour Instagram carousel this year, you have met Monday Swimwear, whether you meant to or not. Founded in 2014 by Australian models and A Bikini A Day bloggers Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman, the brand has become the unofficial uniform of the “currently boarding a flight to somewhere with a coastline” set: sculpted bandeaus, espresso-toned one-pieces, and resortwear that looks like it belongs on a sun lounger in Positano. It is independently owned, designed in Los Angeles, manufactured in China, and sold direct-to-consumer (plus through REVOLVE), with new collections released twice a year.
Why Monday Swimwear is worth it
Start with the obvious: the aesthetic delivers. The brand’s lane is elevated basics that don’t try too hard, and the pieces read as expensive in a quiet, no-logo way. This is swimwear for the woman who would rather look effortlessly pulled-together than loud.
But the aesthetic is not what tips it from “cute” into “worth it.” Fit is. Monday designs tops around individual cup sizes instead of simply grading a small pattern up, which is why the brand keeps coming up in conversations about supportive swimwear for a bigger bust. One reviewer who wears a 36G has written about spending thousands chasing bikinis for a large bust and repeatedly coming back to Monday; others praise the underwire support, wider straps, and genuine coverage. Many styles run up to an F or G cup, and the brand has added a dedicated small-band/large-cup range. If support is your deal-breaker, this is where Monday earns its price.
The cuts back it up. Adjustable ties and removable halter straps let you dial in coverage and lift, hardware is minimal so nothing digs in, and the bottoms use a flattering French-cut leg with full lining and an anti-wedgie finish. Reviewers consistently note the bottoms stay put and don’t chafe, even on a long beach walk.
On fabric, the picture is honestly mixed, and pretending otherwise would do you a disservice. The base cloth is 84% recycled nylon and 16% spandex, butter-soft and eco-conscious. The signature shimmer and crinkle textiles feel special and worth the money (the shimmer does snag more easily, so it needs gentle handling). The plain solids, though, are the sticking point: more than one honest reviewer has noted the basic spandex isn’t dramatically better than a well-made fast-fashion suit apart from the recycled content. You are paying partly for fit and design, not purely for a fabric that outclasses everything cheaper.
Where Monday quietly runs away with it is the resortwear ecosystem. Knit dresses, sarongs, woven bags, hats, and coverups mean you can build a whole vacation capsule from one brand without looking matchy-matchy. That breadth is a real part of the value, and it is the single biggest reason the brand suits travelers specifically.
How to shop Monday by destination
Monday is, above all, a trip-planning brand. Rather than buying one bikini and hoping, the smarter play is to build a tight edit around where you are actually going. Product names and colorways rotate, so treat these as example capsules and confirm current availability before you buy.
A Mexico weekend getaway
Short, hot, and made for color. For a quick Tulum-or-Cabo reset, lean playful and a little romantic: a printed tie-band top with the matching bottom works equally well on the beach and in a poolside cabana. Throw a crochet mini dress over the top for dinner and finish with a woven bag for that easy, undone vibe.
A Mediterranean summer
This is the moment for understated, old-money restraint. Think Amalfi, not party island. A rich espresso one-piece is the hero here: deep, photogenic against white stone and blue water. Tie a tonal sarong at the hip for the walk to lunch, carry an espresso woven bag, and top it with a wide-brim hat. (One practical note: skip the palest ivory for a one-piece you’ll actually swim in, since the lightest shades can read slightly sheer when wet.)
A Hawaii trip
For somewhere lush and a little more barefoot-luxe, go tonal and soft. A muted slate or crinkle top with the matching bottom is a cool base that flatters a fresh tan. Layer a knit pant and a breezy cotton tunic for sunset, and let a pair of simple sunglasses do the finishing.
The downsides, honestly
Worth it is not the same as flawless. Price and value: with most full suits between $150 and $200, the cost-per-wear math may not work if you swim twice a year. Fabric inconsistency: the shimmer and crinkle textiles feel premium; the plain solids feel mid-market, so choose a textured style if fabric is your priority. Coverage in light colors: some ivory and very pale colorways can turn slightly see-through when wet, especially on bottoms, while darker shades and prints avoid the issue. Sizing takes homework: the brand uses alpha sizing and fit shifts by fabric, so read the size and fit guide before you commit.
The verdict
For the right shopper, yes. If you travel, value fit and support over fast-fashion volume, have a fuller bust, or want a wardrobe of swim-and-resort pieces that mix without looking like a set, Monday Swimwear earns the spend. It is the “buy fewer, wear them everywhere” option. It is not for everyone: if you swim a couple of times a summer, want the lowest price, or care most about a fabric that decisively outclasses cheaper suits, your money may go further elsewhere. But if a sun-soaked trip is on your horizon, choose textured fabrics and avoid the palest colors for swimming.
How it compares
| Brand | Price | Worth | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Swimwear | $150–200 | 8/10 | Support, fit, travel capsules |
| Frankies Bikinis | $160–230 | 7/10 | Trend-forward, skin-forward cuts |
| Abercrombie | $45–80 | 7.5/10 | On-trend mid-range, broad sizing |
| Aerie (American Eagle) | $40–60 | 7.5/10 | Budget-friendly, size inclusivity |
Frequently asked questions
Is Monday Swimwear worth the price? +
For frequent travelers and anyone who prioritizes fit and support, yes. It sits at a mid-to-premium price point (most full suits are $150 to $200), and the value comes from cup-specific fit, supportive construction, and a resortwear range that mixes across a whole vacation wardrobe, rather than from low cost. If you wear swimwear only occasionally, the cost-per-wear is harder to justify.
Does Monday Swimwear run true to size? +
Mostly, but it depends on the fabric and style. The brand recommends sizing down in underwire and crinkle styles and sizing up in tighter chevron fabrics. Tops with adjustable ties give you some flexibility on coverage. Because there are no fitting rooms, check your measurements against the brand's fit guide before your first order.
Is Monday Swimwear good for a bigger bust? +
This is one of its biggest strengths. Tops are built per cup size rather than scaled up from a small pattern, many styles offer underwire and wider straps, and the brand added a small-band/large-cup range. Large-bust reviewers, including one who wears a 36G, consistently rate it among the better options for support.
Where is Monday Swimwear made, and where does it ship from? +
Monday Swimwear is designed in Los Angeles and manufactured in China (tags read "Made in PRC"). It ships direct-to-consumer from the US, with free domestic US and Australian shipping over $200, and international shipping available to many countries.
Is Monday Swimwear sustainable? +
Partly. Its suits use recycled nylon (commonly an 84% recycled nylon, 16% spandex blend), packaging is a reusable wet bag, and there's an optional paid carbon offset at checkout. The brand shares less about the rest of its manufacturing footprint, so it is a step toward sustainability rather than a fully transparent eco-brand.
How do Monday Swimwear returns work? +
US customers can return unworn, unaltered items with tags and liners intact within 30 days for a refund, store credit, or a one-time exchange. Check the current returns policy before ordering, especially during promotions.
Are there cheaper alternatives to Monday Swimwear? +
Yes, depending on what you're optimizing for. Aerie and Abercrombie offer lower prices and broad sizing; Frankies Bikinis competes on trend-forward fashion. The trade-off is usually less cup-specific support and a less coordinated resortwear range, which is exactly what Monday charges a premium for.
This is an independent editorial review and is not affiliated with or sponsored by Monday Swimwear. Pricing, sizing, product names, and policies change over time; confirm current details on the brand's site before purchasing.
