Swimwear for a hot girl summer
Image via @dualipa
Dua Lipa’s disco bikini has got us wanting more. Here’s a roundup of the best swim labels for your summer holiday to the Costa del Garden, as seen on Bella Hadid, Megan Thee Stallion, Kendall Jenner, and more.
Style
Words: Amy Francombe
Boozers are dry, flights are grounded and sweaty, skin-on-skin raves are a thing of the past.
Still, temperatures are in the sweltering high twenties, the cap on outdoor exercise has been lifted, and bikinis are one of the few items of clothing (alongside tracksuit bottoms, running shoes and sliders) that have escaped the coronavirus’ blanket cancellation of 2020.
From The Face Issue 001 cover star Dua Lipa’s shimmering, mismatched colour block two-piece to Bella Hadid’s facemask-cum-bikini oddity (apparently, it’s a “backless bandeau”), these A‑list sun worshippers have got us searching for new swimwear (aka the ultimate isolation accessory). Here, we list six swimsuit brands to tap if you want to serve a lockdown lewk while soaking up some vitamin D this week.
Louisa Ballou
Louisa Ballou’s asymmetrical, psychedelic-print lycra masterpieces scream sex. Having graduated from Central Saint Martins only last year, the founder’s eponymous label is barely one year old and already counts Megan Thee Stallion, Jorja Smith and Kendall Jenner among its fans. And (if you aren’t already) you’ll soon be one, too.
Sommer Swim
Australian swimwear label Sommer Swim never overcomplicates its design. Instead, their minimalist pieces favour form and substance, using luxurious materials to craft low-key yet extremely flattering, feminine silhouettes. It’s no wonder supermodel Bella Hadid has been spotted wearing their olive ring-bound bandeau twice this week.
Basic Swim
First things first: basic is not boring. Basic is classic. Basic is timeless. Basic is reliable. And Basic Swim is a testament to this. Consider them the American Apparel of the swimwear industry: they sell unfussy staples that are affordable, yet proper good quality. Even billionaire makeup mogul Kylie Jenner agrees. Their selection may be limited, but each piece is designed to be mixed and matched, which means endless choices for minimal investment.
Fantabody
Launched in 2015 by 31-year-old designer Carolina Amoretti, Fantabody makes retro one pieces inspired by ‘80s Italian youth movements. From high gloss, lycra bodysuits to whimsical, scrunched up two pieces, Amoretti combines athletic practicality with erotic details – perfect for lazy beach days and hot summer nights alike. They’re strong, functional and slinky: the Holy Trinity for ‘kinis.
Ack
Clubs may be closed but Saturday Night Fever lives on thanks to these disco-leaning bikinis served in contrasting neon colour blocks and peppered with rhinestones. Founded by friends Rebecca Larson and Alessandra Scorletti in 2017, Ack’s skimpy triangle sets have already been seen on a pink-haired Dua Lipa (her back garden bikini shot racked up 3.5m likes) and fellow pop starlet Rita Ora. You can expect to see a whole lot more of Ack on your feed this summer.
Isa Boulder
Social media influencers turned CEOs Cecilia ‘Lia’ Basari and Yuli Suri have never worn a bikini in public. Surprisingly, this hasn’t stopped them from crafting some unexpectedly sexy swimwear. See: their crocheted sets and their metallic strapless swimsuit with corset details. Based in Bali, Isa Boulder and their entirely female team use only local manufacturers, making them uber sustainable. 10/10 for the nihilistic Insta captions, too: “I will miss this sunset when the apocalypse comes 🌞.”
