COCOSHIP Retro ’50s Halter High-Waist Bikini Set Review

We purchased the COCOSHIP Retro '50s Halter High-Waist Bikini so our reviewer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

I covet swimsuits the way some women covet shoes. I love to swim, and I like to dress the part. I’m always on the prowl for one with a better fit, a chicer cut, a more comfortable, stay-put bottom, and a fabulous print. I have an entire bin dedicated to my amassed pool of swimwear. I put on the COCOSHIP Retro ’50s Halter High-Waist Bikini Set and took it for some swims. Read on to see how the COCOSHIP stacks up to the competition.

Performance: Dive right in

As a person who always gets in the water if the chance arises, the look of a swimsuit matters, but it’s the performance underwater that makes or breaks it for me. This bikini set did not disappoint on the swimming front. Both the top and bottom stay put and are comfortable to swim and move around in. It even stays very secure when diving off the diving board or swimming laps.

Design: A tropical dream

This swimsuit has a gorgeous halter top, which offers just enough coverage for support and modesty but is slim and sleek enough to still feel fun and flirty. I love the folded strips of fabric across the bust that create stripes of the pattern (or solid color) of the bikini top. I also like the fun little bow between the bust. The bikini comes in an awesome range of vibrant, tropical floral prints, as well as bright solids and polka dots. 

I chose the Wheat Bread Floral (not the greatest name—I’d call it Sunset instead), a bright yellow, gold, red, and black number that makes me think of Tahiti and piña coladas. This two-piece looks great and gets me dreaming of tropical vacations, so it’s a win-win in my book. I’m now checking my caché of airline miles.

Fit: Flirty and flattering

Another bonus of this swimsuit’s design is the forgiving fit of its lovely bikini top and high-waisted bottom. While I’ve always felt pretty confident in a swimsuit—maybe because I focus on the function of the garment as much as the aesthetic—hitting (and surpassing) 40 has made me feel a bit less confident and a bit more aware of those, shall we say, “trouble areas.” I love swimming way more than I care about letting any perceived imperfections of my body keep me from the water. However, while I used to always prefer bikinis, one-pieces have started to catch my eye. I love that this swimsuit lets me have the best of both: the tummy coverage (and the confidence that comes with it) and the fun and movement of a two-piece.

The top fits comfortably and snugly, and the bikini offers excellent bra support. It comes in size small to 4XL, which equates to between a size 2 to an 18 (this range isn’t very inclusive, given the average size of an American woman is between 16 and 18). While this wasn’t a problem for me, it’s worth noting that you can’t purchase the top and bottom in different sizes. 

The stretchiness and ruching of the bottom allow it to accommodate a range of body shapes, however. I love the way it hugs my stomach and the fact that I can pull it all the way up or smoosh it down a bit if I want to expose a tad more skin. I also like the way the sleekly cut top balances out the high-waisted shape of the bikini bottom. 

Material: Just enough stretch

This COCOSHIP swimsuit is made from a polyester-spandex blend that has a nice amount of give but also feels snug and comfortable on the body. It is smooth and silky to the touch and has a pleasant lightness.

Washing: Hand wash

This swimsuit (like most) requires hand washing to keep it looking like new. I’ve washed mine several times, and it is an easy process. I simply put it into the shower and wash with a few drops of a gentle detergent. Then, I lightly press it into a towel before hanging it over a drying rack. Ironing, machine washing, and putting it in the dryer can damage this garment and should be avoided.

Price: A steal

This COCOSHIP bikini rings in at around $24. This is a great price for a swimsuit that looks much more expensive. You’ll feel like you’re on a tropical vacation the second you put it on. There are lots of other bikinis for around this price but few that have as much flair.

COCOSHIP Retro ’50s Halter High-Waist Bikini Set vs. AMOURRI Vintage Polka Underwire High Waisted Bikini

These bikinis are very similar in shape and both offer the same ruched, high-waisted, tummy-flattering bottom. Also, the AMOURRI swimsuit (view on Amazon) comes in a range of appealing, retro polka dot designs and other fun patterns—although I prefer the floral ones of the COCOSHIP line (which also has polka dot options). 

The AMOURRI bikini costs a bit more at around $29. I like the bikini design better on the COCOSHIP top, which features greater detail and visual appeal. Both are nice swimsuits, but I think the win easily goes to COCOSHIP for its tropical prints and the extra wow factor of its design.