Considering you receive such a tiny amount of material in return, purchasing swimwear can be a rather expensive endeavour.
Prolific swimwear brands such as Melissa Obadash, Oceanus and Oséree offer exquisitely crafted designs featuring artisanal prints, yet for many, the accompanying price tags mean that the pieces are unattainable.
Given that we reside in the drizzly, overcast metropolis that is London, it seems slightly unreasonable to splash out on swimwear if our bank accounts object. However, this doesn’t mean our summer arsenals have to miss out, as there are plenty of affordable swimwear brands to covet this season.
Household names such as Mango, Anthropologie and Free People are never short of embellished, printed or preppy swimwear to add to the basket with immediate effect. Most options fall under the £100 mark, and it’s always worth browsing the sale for even cheaper picks.
Google searches for ‘striped swimsuit’ in the UK have increased by a staggering 162.5 per cent in the past thirty days, as evidenced in a report by Boohoo. Print-phobes never fear, as you can’t go wrong with a simple block colourway when curating your dream pool-ready look.
Naturally, the issue of quality arises when considering inexpensive swimwear. We’d always recommend investing in a well-made one-piece to stand the test of time (sun cream stains and loss of stretch are never a cute look when hitting the beach) rather than opting for an inexpensive yet ill-fitting choice that will fall apart after a single dip.
The key is to look at the materials. Monsoon incorporates sustainable raw materials, such as organic cotton, recycled polyester and viscose from responsibly grown forests into its designs. Benetton publishes the production chain of each garment under a ‘transparency’ section, giving the consumer the choice to spend with that knowledge or not and Mango has followed suit.
Shopping mindfully is key when searching for an affordable swimsuit, bikini or tankini. After all, you don’t want to break the bank by replacing badly-crafted pieces when you could have saved by spending a touch more on a higher-quality pick.
Discover the most desirable swimwear brands to browse this summer and kick back in style while lazing beachside.
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Mango
Price: £
Mango is brimming with girlish designs to update your summer inventory. Missoni-esque prints, sunset tones and tropical florals pepper the collection, which ensures choosing a single option is near-impossible.
Pick from hibiscus patterns for sun-drunk soirees in the tropics, or timeless ditsy florals for European beach breaks. Vertical stripes, zebra print and metallics are offered alongside easy-breezy colourblock pieces with universal appeal.
Monsoon
Price: £-££
Texture is Monsoon’s forte. Embroidered florals, tassels and tiers saturate the brand’s summer collections each year. The same sophisticated eclecticism can be discovered in the label’s bohemian swimwear offerings.
Crochet detailing, scallop trims and hot pink florals will tickle the fancy of feminine dressers. Be sure to check out the sale, as the brand slashes prices for those on a budget.
Free People
Price: £-£££
Free People is one of our favourite hubs for dazzling holiday wear. Iridescent lurex, batik-inspired designs, rainbow crochet sets and cut-out one-pieces can be married with ethereal sarongs, silk scarves and shell jewels to create siren-like looks.
Featured brands span free-est, Toast and Frankies Bikinis and offer varying price points to suit all beach-ready budgets.
Anthropologie
Price: £-££
Anthropologie’s swimwear selection is geared towards the It-girls jetting off this summer. Forget classic florals, the brand is simmering with youthful palm tree designs, sassy animal prints, ombre sunset tones and reversible sets.
Note the cut-out one-pieces, retro high-waisted silhouettes and balconette bikini tops for on-trend soleil styling. Beloved brands such as Damson Madder, Celia B and Becksondergaard also feature.
Billabong
Price: ££
Surfer girls unite! Billabong’s functional yet playful designs are tailored to active women. Whether catching a wave or snorkelling off shore, you’ll be able to make a splash in hibiscus print pieces, tie-dye prints and crinkle textures in one and two-piece silhouettes. Orange tones feature heavily, perfect for blending in with the tropical sunset.
Roxy
Price: £-££
Like Billabong, Roxy is owned by Boardriders, Inc, hence the similar designs and focus on practicality. Simple khaki and black colourways are contrasted by chevron stripes, mod-like florals and Sixties-inspired palettes of brown, pink and orange.
Calzedonia
Price: £-££
Classic yet classy, Calzedonia’s timeless swimwear is suitable for women of all ages. Nautical stripes and simple single hues in halterneck silhouettes dominate the site, alongside with free-flowing kaftans and cotton sets that make for chic cover-ups.
Boden
Price: £-££
Family favourite Boden champions superbly-fitting designs married with preppy prints. Pineapple mosaics, pastel rainbow stripes, parrot prints and pretty paisley dominate the brand’s extensive swimwear collection, which boasts bikinis, tankinis and form-flattering swimsuits.
Colourblocking is Boden’s bread and butter, in addition to crafting secure, snug fits to wear with confidence.
Benetton
Price: £-££
Kit yourself in time for the warmer weather to take hold. Benetton’s dopamine-inducing swimwear collection spans gingham bikinis, striped one-pieces and monochrome sunflower prints to zest up any outdated swimwear drawer.
In terms of silhouettes, triangle bikini tops to push-up options suit a number of cup sizes, while float kaftans and on-trendy crochet skirts can be leisurely thrown on for instant style points.
Out From Under
Price: £
Gen-Z shoppers rejoice, as Out From Under has got your seaside style covered. Whether you’re searching for an itsy bitsy teeny weenie number to show off your assets with pride, or simply pine after an on-trend theme like bows, crochet, gingham and ruching, the brand has the perfect piece for you.
The label champions the ethos of less is more, but not without a sprinkling of ribbons, frills and furbelows to help you turn out a highly feminine, flirty aesthetic.
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