The high-neck or bandeau with wide straps is your best bet.

Look for a swimsuit top with a high neckline or a thick bandeau style — both cover more shoulder and back skin than a traditional triangle or halter, so you get fewer lines. For support, choose something with built-in underwire, a shelf bra, or wider straps that distribute weight instead of digging in.

The trick is balancing coverage and structure. A bandeau can work well if it has a boned or molded cup — otherwise it flattens you out. A high-neck tankini or one-piece with a racerback leaves a more even tan (think: no random diagonal straps across your shoulders). If you want maximum minimal tan lines, go for a strapless bandeau with removable straps so you can skip strap lines entirely — but make sure it has a silicone gripper or a good fit so you’re not pulling it up all day.

Support-wise, avoid anything that relies on thin ties — they sag when wet and create awful red lines. Instead, look for adjustable wide straps, a clasp back, or a sport-style bra construction. Brands like Sunsets, Miraclesuit, or Athleta’s swim line do well here. A trick: cup sizes (like D+ or DD) usually indicate more built-in support than S-M-L sizing.

In short: high neck or bandeau, wide straps, underwire or molded cups. You can’t have zero tan lines without a full bodysuit, but this gets you close without sacrificing lift.

Future You will thank you when you’re not peeling a grid off your shoulders.