GREAT, it’s May. Close enough to summer to start daydreaming of ice cream sandwiches by the sea without it seeming like an all too distant fantasy.
The S/S collections have just landed in stores and I’m over the moon to finally see some one-pieces I’ll actually look okay in, along with slashed statements and halter crops, which are still going strong following on from last year.
If you’re not planning on escaping to sunnier shores, there are a few festivals in the cloudy mainland of the UK that provide (some) hope for bikini tops and shorts. And even if it rains, who ever dresses appropriately in the British summer anyway? I’m aiming this at you – men with chests out at the first 18-degree weather forecast – it only makes me assume you have a perspiration issue.
Here’s my edit of the best.
Hunkemoller
If you haven’t heard of Hunkemoller before, they’re an international lingerie brand that started in the Netherlands. Their swimwear is incredibly well-made, caters for all body shapes from AA-H cups, and comes in a beautiful big box. I’ve got the colour festival bikini top and bottoms, which I’m in LOVE with (featured below).
Dark Arts Triangle Bikini Top, £42.99
Dark Arts Brazilian Bikini Bottoms, £22.99
Colour Festival Brazilian Halter, £17.99
Colour Festival Tanga Bottoms, £17.99
Batoko
I first saw these on Insta did a little excited flap dance with my arms. Yes, that IS a dino swimsuit. 😍
Motel
I’ve always loved Motel’s designs, despite some trouble in the past with clasps breaking mid-swim, which as you can imagine, isn’t ideal in a busy pool surrounded by children. But they’re good ‘sitting’ bikinis if you want to loaf around instead of using them for their intended purpose.
Amara High Waisted Bikini Bottom, £22
Kye Bikini Top in Rose Shine, £20
Kye Bikini Bottoms in Rose Shine, £18
LoveStories
LoveStories are a new Dutch lingerie brand who pride themselves on their mix and match collections. What I love about the bikinis are that they’re reversible, and not in that tacky let’s-just-whack-another-design-in-there-because-we-can way, but in a wow-these-are-actually-both-cool way.
Mermaid Bralette (reversible), £53.52
Urban Outfitters
As always, Urban’s attention to detail is bang on point. The backs are delicate and flattering, and if you don’t mind a few weird tan lines, you can pick up some real eye-catchers.
Jaded London Tie-Dye Lace Up Back Swimsuit, £55
Jaded London Geometric Print Choker Neck Bikini Top, £28
Jaded London Geometric Print Bikini Bottoms, £22
In The Style
Charlotte Crosby has just launched her swimwear range on the site, and there are a few crackers on there so it’s worth a gander. I can’t vouch for the quality of the swimwear, but I’ve tried pieces from the normal collection and they’ve been pretty spot on.
Charlotte Crosby Black I’d Rather Be A Mermaid Swimsuit, £29.99
Charlotte Crosby Black Mesh Insert Swimsuit, £32.99
Enjoy the sun when it decides to finally arrive, and if you’re struggling to decide between the pages of fit models in bikinis, Hunkemoller also have a great body shape guide for finding what’s most flattering.
By Holly Earp
