13 Hot Designer Swimsuit Styles for Less

When shopping for swimsuits, you might wonder why a few scraps of material from a luxury line can carry a sky-high price tag -- especially when major retailers such as Target, Forever 21, and even Walmart sell fashionable swimwear for far less. In preparation for swimsuit season, here are 13 trending styles from upmarket designers matched with bargain-priced versions. They include hot prints and sexy sheer material, as well as high-neck designs and other silhouettes in vogue this season.

One-piece suits are safe alternatives to a bikini for the beach, but they can be very sexy when combined with peek-a-boo patterns and a strapless sweetheart neckline. A mitered convertible one-piece swimsuit by Robin Piccone features crocheted material and attachable straps for support but goes for $158.

For $28, Bonanza carries a cutout monokini almost identical version to the Robin Piccone version. Check out the sweetheart neckline, removable straps, and, of course, this season's coveted crochet pattern over the stomach and back.

Florals are popping up as the weather warms, welcoming bright, summery patterns and colors. To express a nature-loving side with the Alchemy floral-print bikini by Zimmermann, beach-goers must spend $295 at Net-a-Porter. This delicate suit features pretty flowers against a white background and ruffles along the straps.

Get a floral fix for a budget-friendly $28 from Forever 21. A floral triangle bikini top sports a similar light print, removable cups, a V-neck, and a unique two-strap Y-back with a hook clasp. (The pieces are sold separately -- $15 for the top, $13 for the bottoms.)

Feeling fierce and ready to rock with an animal print? That'll be $275 for the Pavilion metallic leopard cloqué triangle bikini by Zimmermann at Net-a-Porter. The bikini is made of attention-grabbing metallic leopard material and sports a gold hook clasp and padded cups.

Show off your spots with a classic leopard print bikini top from Target for much less. The push-up halter bikini top from Xhilaration starts at $18, with bottoms starting at $15. Halter-style ties and molded cups add oomph to this poolside ensemble.

The black string bikini is a sexy classic -- a little black dress for the beach. Flaunting your sensual side costs $81 with the Double Take macrame bikini triangle top from Lady Lux. It's fully lined and decorated with subtle accents such as gold beads at the end of the straps. Adding low-rise brief bottoms doubles the cost to a total $162.

For those who love the look of a black halter bikini but not the price, the Teeny Triangle Top is available for $20.50 from Victoria's Secret. Like the Lady Lux version, it ties behind the neck and back and is fully lined. Coordinating bikini bottoms (which come in a variety of colors and styles) start at $20.

If more coverage is more your style, there's always a swimdress such as the one-piece Amoressa by Miraclesuit. It features a sexy, low scoop back, an underwire bra, and an attached belt but costs $188.

For $30, Walmart offers a retro swimdress from the Suddenly Slim by Catalina collection. Reviewers describe this style as cute and flattering for curvy women, giving it very high ratings. This one-piece features tummy control, a full skirt, and a twisted front. It comes in a variety of patterns, including vintage polka dots, vibrant tropical florals, nautical stripes, and solids.

Sometimes less is more, and that was the case with the high-neck bikinis that graced the swimsuit runways this season. Basta Surf's Popoyo reversible high-neck bikini top sells for $108. The simple black bikini is secured with a high, halter-style neckline and T-back straps in flashes of orange.

Admirers of the high-neck look who aren't afraid to add a dash of sexy can head to Walmart for the Collections by Catalina high-neck mesh lace bikini top, selling for $16.50. It features an X-strap design in the back and a lace pattern above the bust.

White crochet patterns have been a hit on short shorts, sweater vests, and flirty tops at summer music festivals. A lace ruffle halter bikini top by Agua de Coco goes for a shocking $755, featuring a bandeau-style bikini and delicate white lace crochet as its sheer top layer. Bikini bottoms with side ties add $95 at checkout.

Spend hundreds less with a crochet bikini top by Xhilaration that starts at just $18 at Target. It has delicate white lace and the high-neck halter style, secured with a tie behind the neck and a hook at the back. Paired white bikini bottoms are $15.

Geo-tribal prints, like floral patterns, are a fast-fashion trend that's still going strong. The Seafolly Kasbah high-neck swimsuit, available for $156 from ASOS, has a black-and-white tribal print covering the front and back. The one-piece is secured with halter straps and a clip fastener.

Find this top swimsuit trend at Target, where a high-neck bikini top by Xhilaration is $18. Like the suit from ASOS, it sports a black-and-white geo print tied with criss-cross pink coral straps. Pair with matching bikini bottoms for $15, or choose bottoms in a neutral color or even coral to accentuate the pink hue.

If tan lines don't faze you, a caged bikini top is a strong statement for the summer. The straps come together to create a caged look under the bust. The Aerin Rose Swimwear longline cage bra top has comfortable padded cups, underwire support, and adjustable straps but sells for $86 from Couture Candy.

Charlotte Russe offers the same all-around look for much less with its caged halter bikini top for $17. Three rows of straps create a sexy caged effect across the mid-back. The halter top, which ties at the neck, comes in blue or black. (Bottoms are another $15.)

Fringes are flirty and fun around the pool. The sexy black Beach Riot Chandler bikini top features an intricate knotting pattern with fringe ends in the front for $95. The matching bottom with long fringe tassels starts at $85, for a combined $180.

An entire two-piece bikini with fringe comes to $18 at Lollicouture. Like the Beach Riot bikini, this black top features fun fringe detailing and halter and back ties. The bottoms have gold O-rings and adjustable hip ties.

Ruffles are a cute, figure-flattering option for the beach, adding volume and flirtiness. The Shoshanna ruffle halter bikini top, featuring tiered ruffles along the V-neck in a sweet light pink color, goes for $125 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

To get the pink ruffles for less, go for the Camelia top from Maaji Swim, selling for $30 at Surf Ride. There are two tiers of pink ruffles in the front, and the center V-wire accentuates a sweetheart neckline. Convert the bikini to a halter or bandeau with detachable straps.

To rock the sexiest one-piece this summer, try a swimsuit with a plunging V-neck. Oye Swimwear's Elvira one-piece, featuring twisting ruched accents, a scoop back, and a "daring" deep-V plunge down the middle, sells for $350 on Shopbop.

For much less, get a gathered deep-plunge swimsuit at an affordable $33 from ASOS. It has the same deep V and slightly ruched material, as well as sexy strappy cutouts and a high cut above the legs.

Racerbacks aren't just for bras or tank tops anymore -- they're also highly versatile bikini tops, especially for beach sports or swimming. The Surf Club racer-back bikini by Adriana Degreas goes for a whopping $400 at Net-a-Porter. The high neck and lack of decorative accents create a classic silhouette.

Get the look with a sexy crochet racerback bikini top from Charlotte Russe for only $19. The high neck is partially sheer, while the racerback style provides a secure fit. Act fast, though -- at the time of writing, it was available only in large or extra-large. Matching crochet bikini bottoms with ruched sides start at $17.