Our Swimsuit Edit For Your Summer Vacay

Hannah Lewis

Jun 28, 2017 11:21 AM EDT

Who hates buying a swimsuit? Hands up, I do. It’s almost as traumatic as buying jeans. You know the drill. It’s drizzily and rainy and you’re either trawling the internet for something fresh and sexy, trying to assess your size, your vibe and what will work for that week in the sunshine and you’ve just no idea what to buy. Or even more stressful, you’re in store, pulling off your jeans, trainers, socks and all you’re seeing is sock marks and your seriously white body. That neon high-cut is definitely a no-go when you’re in this mood.

I once chatted to Heidi Klein and she said ‘the key thing to do before you buy a swimsuit is to get a spray tan first, that way you’ll be able to really visualize that moment when you’re by pool and about to dive into that beautiful turquoise water.’ I’ve obeyed Heidi’s orders ever since.

This season swim-suits are having a bit of a moment. Think sporty and slim-line – and 80s if you want to give those high-cut legs a go. Labels to look out for are Zimmerman, Lisa Marie Fernandez and Marysia who all specialize in fashion-forward swimwear. And because one swimsuit is never enough we’ve found 25 that we know you’ll really love.

Lisa Marie Fernandez Alexia Bikini, £213

Alexia Bikini, £213, Lisa Marie Fernandez

Lisa Marie Fernandez has been a swimwear crush for a few seasons now... The towelling textures and bandeau styles, what's not to love?

She Made Me Essential Crochet Swimsuit, £78

She Made Me Essential Crochet Swimsuit, £78, Matches

This She Made Me swimsuit makes us want to run away and live on a beach for ever. Failing that, having it in our holiday wardrobe will have to do. Perfect on its own, under a kaftan or with a skirt or pair of shorts layered over it.

Mikoh Swell Line Barbados Bikini Top And Swell Line Bondi Bottoms, £180

Mikoh Swell Line Barbados Bikini Top And Swell Line Bondi Bottoms, £180, Avenue 32

We love the no-fuss sporty feel of this Mikoh bikini - especially the back detailing. Very cool.

Lisa Maree Juxtapose Crochet And Lycra Combo Swimsuit, £93.10

Juxtapose Crochet And Lycra Combo Swimsuit, £93.10, Lisa Maree

Though we love the Lisa Maree crochet swimsuits, it's this design that's our hero piece. From the unusual cut-outs to the timeless crochet body, it's perfectiong

River Island Deep V Balconette Top And Black High Waisted Bikini Bottoms, £31

Deep V Balconette Top And Black High Waisted Bikini Bottoms, £31, River Island

Tie up detailing is hot right now and not just in your party wardrobe. Amp up the timeless high-waisted brief with this fun criss-cross side, and mix and match it into your holiday wardrobe.

Pour Moi Padded Halter Bikini Top And Chelsea Deep Control Brief, £44

Pour Moi Padded Halter Bikini Top And Chelsea Deep Control Brief, £44, Figleaves

Channel a classically feminine beach look in this flattering Pour Moi bikini.

Babajaan Stella Swimsuit, £175

Stella Swimsuit, £175, Babajaan

With the flattering cut and pretty bow detailing, this Babajaan swimsuit is feminine and timeless.

Petits Bisous Sumarie Reine Bikini, £200

Sumarie Reine Bikini, £200, Petits Bisous

We can't get enough of tassels right now so this Petits Bisous bikini is right up our street. Bohemian and laidback, this is perfect for that beach hol.

Princesse Tam Tam Judith Racer Back Swimsuit, £132

Judith Racer Back Swimsuit, £132, Princesse Tam Tam

You can't go wrong with this timeless Princesse Tam Tam swimsuit - and bonus, stripes are hot for SS15.

Cleo Swim By Panache Betty Padded Bandeau And Frill Pant, £53

Cleo Swim By Panache Betty Padded Bandeau And Frill Pant, £53, Simply Beach

Channel a fun retro beach look in this dotty Cleo Swim bikini. Frills are great for creating curves or distracting from areas you're not quite so comfortable with.

Melissa Odabash Cove Bikini Top And Pant, £188

Melissa Odabash Cove Bikini Top And Pant, £188, Simply Beach

Leopard print is basically a neutral nowadays so don't think buying a print bikini will be limiting. Far from it. This versatile style from Melissa Odabash is ideal for layering under a white kaftan on the beach.

Marysia Swim White Scalloped Antibes Bikini, £205

Marysia Swim White Scalloped Antibes Bikini, £205, Avenue 32

White isn't everyone's first choice for swimwear but this feminine Marysia bikini (which also comes in a dot print and black) is perfect for showing off a tan.

Ted Baker Twisted Stripe Mathry Swimsuit, £69

Ted Baker Twisted Stripe Mathry Swimsuit, £69, Simply Beach

Simple and classic, you can't go wrong with this striped Ted Baker swimsuit.

River Island White Pacha Fishnet Bikini Top And Colour Block Bottoms, £32

White Pacha Fishnet Bikini Top And Colour Block Bottoms, £32, River Island

This River Island bikini is a sports luxe bargain, and structured enough to wear comfortably in the sea (phew).

Orlebar Brown Hampton Hot Hacienda Classic Bikini Top And Bikini Brief, £190

Hampton Hot Hacienda Classic Bikini Top And Bikini Brief, £190, Orlebar Brown

Though we can't promise you'll look like Halle Berry in James Bond, you can give it your best shot in this simple and timeless orange Orlebarbrown bikini.

Princesse tam.tam Audrey One Piece, £85

Princesse tam.tam Audrey One Piece, £85, Flo and Joe

We love coral for the beach, and the classic design and pretty bow detailing on this Princesse tam.tam swimsuit makes it very desirable.

Solid And Striped + Poppy Delevingne Printed Bandeau Bikini, £150

Solid And Striped + Poppy Delevingne Printed Bandeau Bikini, £150, Net-a-Porter

So, it turns out Poppy Delevingne's a natural at swimwear designing, if her collection for Solid And Striped is anything to go by. Though the colour block pieces are beaut, we like the flamingo print the best.

Petits Bisous Sumarie Chrysler Swimsuit, £490

Sumarie Chrysler Swimsuit, £490, Petits Bisous

If old school elegance is what you're channeling, this Petits Bisous swimsuit is for you.

Heidi Klein Tanzania Push Up Bikini, £200

Tanzania Push Up Bikini, £200, Heidi Klein

Heidi Klein is a reliable swimwear crush, season after season. The simple and classic cuts - complete with push-up and hold-in technology where needed - make the sets and one-pieces well worth the slightly higher price point. This on point snakeskin print is our fav of the SS15 offering.

L'Agent By Agent Provocateur Zipped Swimsuit, £110

L'Agent By Agent Provocateur Zipped Swimsuit, £110, Net-a-Porter

L'Agent just gave the classic black one-piece a sexy makeover.

We Are Handsome Isosceles High Neck Bikini, £151

Isosceles High Neck Bikini, £151, We Are Handsome

We Are Handsome is one of our go-to destinations for fun printed pieces. Though the one-pieces we're top of our wish list at one point, now we're lovingt his high neck sporty style.

La Perla Graphique Couture Swimming Costume, £497.24

Graphique Couture Swimming Costume, £497.24, La Perla

More of a work of art than a swimsuit, this La Perla one-piece is absolutely stunning. The design and couture-style boning, which is based on vintage bustiers, creates perfect feminine curves.

Carizzi Navy Breton, £277.20

Navy Breton, £277.20, Carizzi

Navy and white stripes scream nautical, and that's what we want from our swimwear.

Sun, Sand And Honey Rita, £250

Rita, £250, Sun, Sand And Honey

One-pieces aren't the frumpy option. Far from it. This Sand And Honey Rita bandeau swimsuit is classic style, with cheeky cut-out sides.

Pistol Panties Nautical Candy Bikini, £159

Nautical Candy Bikini, £159, Pistol Panties

The ruched sides and contour stripes on this Pistol Panties bikini give you curls in all the right places - and just you wait until you see the back...

Pistol Panties Jane Cream Polka Dot Swimsuit, £139

Jane Cream Polka Dot Swimsuit, £139, Pistol Panties

This polka dot Pistol Panties swimsuit will never go out of style, so you can wear it for summers to come.

Agent Provocateur Mazzy Bra And Brief, £195

Mazzy Bra And Brief, £195, Agent Provocateur

Agent Provocateur always get the balance between sporty and sexy just right - and the Mazzy bandage bikini is the epitome of this.

Carizzi Red Breton, £230.40

Red Breton, £230.40, Carizzi

Carizzi's red breton stripes are a bright twist on the classic nautical stripes.

I.D.Sarrieri Retro Bikini, £274.39

Abracadabra Triangle Bra And Retro Maxi Brief, £274.39, I.D.Sarrieri

We can't get enough of these cut-out bikinis. Chic and sexy in equal measures.

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