24 Bathers To Buy Right Now

Until quite recently, bikinis and swimsuits were often sporty and LOUD. Arguably, this made sense: If your retinas were being scorched by an acid-green bandeau and floral briefs, you were less likely to notice any thigh wobble or Boxing Day belly. At least that’s what I told myself.

The problem was that brightly patterned swimwear did not match many of my clothes. Acid green florals under my plain white t-shirt was not a look I loved. So it has been a relief to meet this season’s batch of bathers, which are much more mellow and relaxed. “There are a lot of tonal pieces now,” says Tara Morris, PRIMER’s shopping editor. “They’re khaki or earthy colours, and flatter most skin tones. I’d wear them with a cotton oversized shirt dress, a linen bucket hat and a pair of neutral slides.”

The Fold and Bondi Born are great for curvy women, she adds. “Some of these brands can seem expensive, but it’s worth investing in pieces that suit your shape and give you confidence.”