Angerella Vintage Halter Swimsuit Monokini Review

We purchased the Angerella Vintage Halter Swimsuit Monokini so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

All swimsuits are not created equal, nor should they be. Some are designed primarily for looks, and some focus on function. Some suits are geared toward casual swimming and beachcombing, while others are for serious, athletic swimming. I have swimwear that fits in each of those categories, but I tend to prefer a swimsuit with excellent style, versatility, and comfort that also excels when wet. Read on to see if the Angerella Vintage Halter Swimsuit Monokini fits the bill.

Performance: Swimmable

It’s all well and good for a swimsuit to look stunning, but if I jump in the water and the top slips off or the bottom rides up, it becomes unwearable for me. The Angerella Vintage Halter Swimsuit Monokini is a highly functional suit that’s comfortable in the water. Even when diving off the diving board, this monokini stays snuggly in place. The body of the suit also fits very nicely and is a breeze to move around in. 

My only hangup is with the underwire of the bustline area, which feels like swimming in a pushup bra. This isn’t the end of the world and not exactly uncomfortable, but it is a noticeable feeling that I was aware of while swimming. I have other swimsuits that have built-in bras that don’t draw as much attention to themselves while I wear them. 

It’s likely that I am particularly aware of this more structured and constricted feeling because I am not used to it (I rarely wear a pushup bra). I still enjoy wearing this swimsuit, and I didn’t notice this feeling as much when wearing it out of the pool, but I probably wouldn’t choose it for a day of active swimming.

Design: Retro dream

The Angerella monokini offers all the allure of a 1950s pinup-style swimsuit without revealing tons of skin. The swimsuit comes in a fun range of colors and designs including anchor, polka dot, cherry, and floral patterns. I chose the black with white polka dots, which amps up the glamour quotient and feels like something borrowed from Marilyn Monroe or Brigitte Bardot’s closets. While my body doesn’t quite live up to those standards, I feel good in this swimsuit, and it lends my figure just the right combination of cheeky style and solid construction to make the most of my assets. 

As someone who isn’t super curvy, I like the way the shape of this monokini accentuates the curve of the waist. I also like that there is a tight-fitting white underlayer below the top panel of the front of the swimsuit and a separate, ruched top piece that’s a tiny bit looser. This allows the tummy to be sucked in a bit by the fabric beneath, while the top layer offers a little give (and distraction from anything one might want to hide), creating a more flattering visual.

Another great feature of this swimsuit is that it works well as a halter-style top with a skirt, shorts, or pants pulled over it, making it a versatile choice for travel and for days at the beach that turn into a night out.

Fit: Fashion-forward

The cut of this swimsuit is very slimming due to the molded-sweetheart bustline and the rounded, low-cut, hip-focused bottom. The cut really maximizes an hourglass shape. The playful ruched and folded fabric across the bust and stomach serve the dual purposes of accentuating and softening curves. The built-in molded bra provides excellent underwire support as well as a touch of non-removable padding. 

There are multiple styles and sizes available to accommodate a range of body shapes. There is a tie-back halter top (which is the cut I chose), a shoulder strap, a halter top with longer boy shorts on the bottom, and a halter top with the straps coming from the cleavage line rather than from the outer edge of the bustline. The sizing starts at medium, which fits a size 2 to 4, and goes up to 5XL, which fits a size 16 to 18. It’s worth noting that this range isn’t very inclusive, considering the average size of an American woman is between 16 and 18. With that said, I got mine in a medium, and it fit me perfectly.

What I love about the cut of the style I chose is the way the tie-behind-the-neck straps lift the bustline and the eye upward, which is both flattering and supportive. I also like the secure fit of the bottom of the swimsuit on the hips, which stays put but doesn’t feel remotely tight or uncomfortable.

Material: Sleek

This swimsuit is made with a nylon-spandex blend that is light and comfortable to wear and also stays in place. I like that the fabric is sturdy and stretchy but also thin and feels soft and smooth to the touch. It really moves well with the body. The built-in bra is a bit constricting for my needs but does provide a nice rounded shape and quality breast support.

Washing: By hand

The instructions say to hand wash the suit inside out and hang to dry. Don’t dry clean or put it in the washer or dryer. Ironing can damage the suit, but I also doubt it will ever need ironing.

Price: A steal

The cost of this swimsuit is a real bargain at less than $30. Pricing depends on the retailer as well as the style and fabric choice. Considering the fact that the look of this swimsuit could easily pass for one in the $100 range, I’d say $30 is an extremely reasonable price. There are comparable swimsuits in this price range, but many don’t offer the attention to detail, sleek styling, and fun patterns that this one does.

Angerella Vintage Halter Swimsuit Monokini vs. AMOURRI Women’s Swimwear Tummy-Hide Underwire Ruffled One-Piece Swimsuit

These swimsuits have similar cuts, come in a range of color options, have built-in underwire bras, and incorporate ruching across the tummy for a very flattering fit. The Angerella swimsuit comes in more patterns and color options and features a lower price. The AMOURRI swimsuit (view on Amazon) has a list price of around $60 but can be found for less. 

The AMOURRI model also features a more traditional monokini shape with shoulder straps and an open oval back, as well as a fun ruffle across the bustline. I prefer the Angerella monokini, however, as I love the patterns offered and am partial to the halter-style top.