Self Portrait makes splash with swimwear range - and 4 other designer debut bikini and swimsuit lines
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- Grace Cook
- Published
From Emilia Wickstead to Ganni and Rixo, cult fashion designers we love in our everyday life are now overhauling our poolside wardrobes. Patterned bikinis and printed swimsuits never looked so good.
Swimwear is number one on the holiday shopping list every year. After all, endless days spent lazing by the pool on a lounger in a swimsuit or a bikini mean we spend more time in swimwear on vacation than we do wearing any number of flouncy cotton dresses or strappy sandals. And so it’s important we find swimwear that not only looks good, but makes us feel good, too.
The good news is that many of our favourite fashion brands now have designs on our poolside wardrobes. Cult Scandi brand Ganni — renowned for its perfectly printed dresses — is now making swimsuits in patterns just as pretty, while Emilia Wickstead is offering her particular take on British Victoriana in sweet floral swimsuits with, wait for it, sleeves.
Swimwear can be a daunting purchase — and so there’s nothing more comforting than turning to your most trusted fashion brand in times of sartorial crisis. Such beloved brands brands understand our aesthetic and our personal taste. So it’s natural they’d understand exactly what we want from our beachwear, too.
Keep scrolling for Stylist’s favourite designer swimwear picks for the summer season.
Self Portrait
When swimwear feels more like a piece to be worn beyond the beach, you know you’ve found something special. That’s exactly what Self Portrait’s debut swimwear line feels like — with innovative cuts and flattering silhouettes that could easily double up as tops when worn with trousers or skirts.
We love this terracotta-hued off-the-shoulder swimsuit, with capped sleeves and the halter neckline. It’s the most sophisticated swimsuit we’ve seen to date.
Self Portrait draped swimsuit, £250 at Matches Fashion
Ganni
Ganni is renowned for its prints, but it’s this simple black swimsuit that we fell in love with this summer. With a chic square neckline and skinny crossover back straps, this will look just as good poolside as it would teamed with trousers for a cocktail by the sea at night. Simply add some gold jewellery and sandals.
Ganni seersucker swimsuit, £120 at Net-a-Porter
Emilia Wickstead
Sleeved swimwear is a rarity. But Emilia Wickstead knows that her elegant customer likely doesn’t want to bare all at the beach.
Featuring a cute collar and keyhole detail at the back, this floral wallpaper print one-piece is perfect for protecting shoulders from the sun’s rays — and ideal styled with linen shorts for lunch.
Emilia Wickstead floral swimsuit, £150 at Matches Fashion
Rixo
Trust our favourite dress brand Rixo to create the flirty swimsuit of dreams. Featuring a flattering underwired bra top finished with gentle ruffles and a bold polka dot pattern, pair this bikini with a wide brim straw hat and shades for the ultimate poolside look.
Rixo polka dot bikini, £98 at Net-a-Porter
Liberty
Ultimate print purveyors Liberty have delved into the brand’s pattern archives to create a range of swimsuits and beachwear that are timeless yet modern. This simple-cut swimsuit features a cool Art Deco-style design that is super striking and unlike anything else currently on the market.
Best accessorised with a headband for the full Daisy Buchanan effect.
Liberty Aboreal swimsuit, £245
Main image: Liberty London