You're running through the rusted corridors of a sunken research facility, dodging mutated horrors that definitely weren't in the job description, and suddenly it hits you: where are the outfits? Honestly, the search for the Expedition 33 swimsuit locations has become a bit of a legendary obsession within the player base. It's not just about the aesthetic, though let's be real, the contrast of beachwear against a literal apocalypse is a vibe. It's about completion. It’s about finding every scrap of content the developers tucked away in the corners of a world that’s constantly trying to kill you.
Most people miss them. They’re usually tucked behind breakable walls or require a level of platforming that feels a bit "clunky" if you haven't mastered the dash mechanic yet.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Expedition 33 Swimsuit Locations
Clarity first: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn't a beach vacation. It's a high-stakes, turn-based RPG where the Paintress is literally erasing years from human life. But games like this always have those "breather" items. Finding the Expedition 33 swimsuit locations provides a weird sense of normalcy. You've got Gustave and Maelle looking like they're ready for a photoshoot while standing in the middle of a decaying wasteland. It’s a classic RPG trope, but here, it feels like a reward for actually paying attention to the environment.
The first one you’ll likely encounter—or miss entirely—is in the Sunken Cathedral region.
You know that hallway with the flickering blue lights? The one where the floor looks like it's made of glass? Don't just run through. Look for the jagged coral formation on the left side. Most players just sprint past because the encounter rate in that zone is annoying, but if you use your traversal tool to grapple up to the hidden ledge, there’s a chest. That’s your first piece. It’s simple. It’s easy to overlook. That's basically the theme of this whole search.
Navigating the Luminous Caves and Beyond
Once you hit the Luminous Caves, the difficulty spikes. Not just the enemies, but the environmental puzzles. To find the next of the Expedition 33 swimsuit locations, you have to deal with the water-rising mechanic. This part is genuinely frustrating if your timing is off. You’ll reach a point where the path splits: one leads to the boss, the other looks like a dead end with a few glowing mushrooms.
Go to the mushrooms.
There's a subtle prompt to "Investigate" the rock face. It’s not a glowing gold icon; it’s a faint glimmer. If you’ve been ignoring the lore notes scattered around, you might not realize that this specific area was once a recreational zone for the expedition members before the "Year" count started dropping. Opening the cache here gives you the mid-tier gear. It’s better than the first set, offering a slight resistance to "Drenched" status effects, which is actually useful for the boss fight coming up.
The Problem With the Peak District
The Peak District is where things get weird. You wouldn't expect to find swimwear in a snowy, mountainous region, right? Well, Sandfall Interactive loves a good joke. Near the third campfire—the one tucked under the overhang—there’s a small path that leads downward instead of up.
Most people are so focused on getting to the summit that they ignore the descent.
Down there, you’ll find a thermal spring. It’s a beautiful little oasis in the middle of the frost. The chest is sitting right by the water's edge. This is the "Luxury" variant. It doesn't have the best stats, but the visual detail on the fabric textures is where the engine really shows off.
Mechanics and Scavenging Tips
Look, if you want to find all the Expedition 33 swimsuit locations without spending forty hours wandering in circles, you need to change how you look at the map.
- Stop looking for chests in the middle of rooms.
- Start hugging the walls.
- Listen for the "sparkle" sound effect. It’s directional.
- If a path looks like a mistake, it’s probably a secret.
The developers used a specific shade of "muted gold" for secret chests. In the darker areas, like the Underworld reaches, these are almost impossible to see unless you turn your brightness up or use the "Glow-stone" consumable. I spent two hours looking for the final piece in the Abyss section before realizing it was hidden behind a waterfall of liquid paint. You have to jump through the paint—which deals minor damage—to reach the alcove.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that these are "Pre-order only" items. They aren't. While there was a promotional pack for early adopters, the core Expedition 33 swimsuit locations are baked into the base game as collectible "Mementos."
Another thing? Don't expect these to break the game. They aren't "Ultimate Armor." They’re mostly cosmetic with minor utility buffs. If you're struggling with a boss, switching to a swimsuit isn't going to save you, despite what some "pro-gamer" memes might suggest. They are meant for the photo mode. And let’s be honest, the photo mode in this game is spectacular. The way the light hits the water and reflects off the characters makes the hunt worth it.
The Final Stretch: The Island of Echoes
The very last set—the one everyone talks about on Discord—is on the Island of Echoes. This is late-game territory. You need the upgraded grapple. There’s a series of floating platforms that look like they lead to a collectible shard. They do, but if you keep going past the shard, jumping onto the crumbling pillar that looks like it's out of bounds, you’ll find the final chest.
It’s a bit of a "leap of faith" moment.
If you miss, you fall into the void and respawn at the last checkpoint. It took me three tries to nail the momentum. The reward is the "Expedition Leader" set, which is the most detailed of the bunch. It’s got all these little straps and pouches that make it look like actual gear someone would wear if they were trying to be stylish while fighting for the survival of the human race.
Actionable Steps for Completionists
If you’re serious about clearing this out, here is exactly what you should do next.
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First, go back to the Sunken Cathedral and check that first ledge. If you don't have that one, you've likely missed the "set bonus" flag that triggers later in the game. Second, make sure your traversal skills are fully upgraded before hitting the Island of Echoes; otherwise, that final jump is literally impossible.
Finally, check your inventory under the "Outfits" tab. If you have "Fragmented Cloth" in your crafting materials, you can actually upgrade these pieces at the camp blacksmith. It won't turn them into plate mail, but it will give you enough of a defense boost that you won't get one-shot while trying to take a cool screenshot in the middle of a battle.
Go get them. The Paintress isn't going to wait, but there's always time for a quick detour to find the best gear in the wasteland. Focus on the verticality of the maps. If a ledge looks reachable, it usually is. And if a wall looks slightly different from the ones around it, hit it with your sword. You’d be surprised how much is hidden behind a simple texture swap.
Check your map for the "???" markers in the Sunken Cathedral area now. If you see a percentage completion under 90% for that zone, that's where your first missing piece is hiding. Start there and work your way forward through the Luminous Caves.