Spending over £100 on a swimsuit or bikini can seem like an over-the-top extravagance when you compare it to the cost of an EasyJet flight. If you are upgrading your swimwear, you want to be certain that the cost translates into quality and that it won't fall apart at the first splash of chlorine.
The founder of Beach Flamingo, Lily Russo-Bah, previously told me you should always spend over £100 on swimwear: "From my experience, it's very hard to find well-made swimwear that doesn't compromise on fit and quality for under £100. Swimwear is costly to produce, as it takes real expertise to get a good fit and to grade the sizing. The cut and fabric have a huge impact on how swimwear looks on the body.
"I can tell you exactly how something will fit even before I see it on a model, just by looking at the shape. The only way to produce cheap swimwear is by cutting back on these elements, which usually means you end up with a saggy bum, a bikini top that won't stay in place, or a fabric that holds water and takes forever to dry."
So which are the brands that are worth investing in? Solid & Striped is one of our favourites for fun prints, while Matteau is brilliant for classic silhouettes in go-with-everything colours. Two brands that have technically brilliant cuts are Eres and Karla Colletto, which sculpt in a subtle way. Keep scrolling to shop the seven designer swimwear brands I think are worth spending money on.
1. Solid & Striped
Every celebrity I can think of has worn a Solid & Striped swimsuit. It's the go-to brand for fun, Instagrammable prints.
2. Eres
French label Eres doesn't create trend-led pieces, so it's a sensible choice if you're looking for flattering swimwear that won't date.
3. Marysia
Marysia started the scallop-edged bikini trend, which is still at the heart of the collections. However, it now does other swimwear with knots and bows as the key detail.
4. Hunza G
Hunza G was originally launched in the '80s but was reopened 30 years later by Georgiana Huddart, creating stretchy one-size bikinis and swimsuits in the brand's signature towelling fabric.
5. Karla Colletto
"I call Karla Colletto swimwear 'miracle suits' for its tummy-tucking and bust-lifting abilities," says Lily Russo.
6. Reina Olga
Reina Olga creates Brazilian-style bikinis and is a perfect option if you want to spend under £200.
7. Matteau
French brand Matteau is loved by fashion influencers like Jeanne Damas and Lucy Williams, and creates simple bikinis and swimsuits that you can easily mix and match.
Next up, see our guide to the key trends for spring/summer 2019.
Opening Image: Jessie Bush
