With artisanal prints, intricate beading and deeply romantic colour palettes, designer bikinis evoke a longing for sun-soaked Mediterranean getaways like no other holiday essential.
The devil is in the details. Luxury swimsuits, bikinis and even the occasional tankini offer consumers craftsmanship of the highest degree, via hand-drawn prints, pristine cuts and high-quality materials that are set to stand the test of time.
For those who can afford the luxury of a designer swim set or two, it’s a worthwhile investment as these will be pieces that will feature in your holiday wardrobe year after year - and consumers are wise to this. A 2024 report revealed that the global luxury swimwear market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.7 per cent from 2019 to 2026 to reach USD 4.07 billion (approximately £3.2 billion) by 2026.
The stats unveiled in the report disclose that in 2020, the women’s luxury swimwear segment dominated the market, holding a market share of over 65 per cent. The text explained that: “The strong market share of women’s luxury swimwear indicates a preference among consumers for premium, high-quality swimwear options, potentially driven by factors such as fashion trends, brand reputation, and perceived product quality.”
Another 2024 report by Market Growth Report noted that China had the most significant global luxury swimwear market revenue share in 2023, yet it is North America that was predicted to witness the fastest growth of the global luxury swimwear market over the coming years.
Luxury swimwear may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it’s keeping the women’s swimwear market afloat. Desirable designer brands such as Gucci, Missoni, Pucci and Versace have cultivated a cult following thanks to their covetable swim-ready creations which typically feature house monogram prints and distinctive brand motifs.
Fellow luxury labels like Melissa Odabash, Oceanus, Zimmerman and Johanna Ortiz further spring to mind, peppering the market with lively colourways and tropical themes that exude barefoot glamour.
If you have an eye for celebrity style, then you’ll be well aware that designer beach attire is the Achilles heel of Hollywood. Last year, Margot Robbie attended the Chanel Cruise 2023/24 in a black bikini top by the brand. Donatella Versace and Dua Lipa collaborated to design the Versace High Summer ‘La Vacanza’ women's collection which was saturated with pretty polka dot swimwear. Salma Hayek, Bella Hadid and Heidi Klum all own a Melissa Odabash piece or two. And Maya Jama frequently dons an array of monogrammed pieces spanning Gucci to Dior. The list goes on.
Join the constellation of luxuriously dressed stars in their exclusive swimwear obsession and discover the best designer pieces to fill your suitcase this summer.
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Gucci
Price: £££
Gucci’s collection of swimwear is primed for the minimalist shopper. Classic monogrammed bikinis in neutral grey, white, navy and mole colourways are punctuated by the occasional candy pink and sunshine yellow set. The brand’s signature GG motif features heavily, sprawling across each of the pieces which can be paired with a luxurious thrown-on kaftan for an ethereal poolside aesthetic.
Craving a splash of colour? Indulge with the brand’s serotonin-spiking striped towels in girlish pink and yellow stripes to elevate your beachside set-up.
Buy now, Gucci
Missoni
Price: £££
One word - chevron. Invest in Missoni’s iconic printed pieces and ooze Italian romance this summer. Subtle rainbow colourways and geometric prints dazzle when set against sun-kissed skin. Note the label's hallmark technique of crocheting, which adds an element of craftsmanship to the luxurious, distinctive sets.
Missoni’s timeless swimwear perfectly fuses retro maximalism with bohemian detailing to create lust-worthy pieces to cherish.
Buy now, Net-A-Porter
Roberto Cavalli
Price: £££
Party girl glamour meets jungle fever in Roberto Cavalli’s gaudy yet decadent swimwear designs. The brand’s signature animal prints sit alongside zesty citrus tones and unexpected colour combinations that culminate in camp, textural pieces which exude unwavering confidence.
Unleash your inner wild child and glide from beach to bar in a loud design set to turn heads.
Buy now, Farfetch
Pucci
Price: £££
Dubbed the ‘Prince of Prints,’ Emilio Pucci was famed for his kaleidoscopic, swirling collections that celebrated summer by the sea. Dynamic, bold colours make for fun, flirtatious beach designs, which were beloved by icons Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy.
Swathes of Seventies-inspired optical illusions saturate ephemeral cover-ups, scarves and sarongs, all cut from fluid silk twill. Choose from shades of mermaid-like turquoise, orchid purple and lime green and steal attention in the brand's house molten Marmo print.
Buy now, Net-A-Porter
Zimmerman
Price: £££
Captivate by the coastline in Zimmerman’s uber-feminine designs. The Australian brand is renowned for vintage-inspired floral prints and botanical references. A focus on belted, form-enhancing silhouettes is exercised throughout the summer-ready collections, the latest of which incorporates functional terry-cloth designs and crocheted bikinis into its arsenal.
Tap into an escapist mindset and indulge with a glittering striped or retro floral swim set to expand your summer wardrobe.
Burberry
Price: £££
Not one for florals? Check out Burberry’s tartan-clad collection. Available to browse in genderless shades of cobalt, forest green and the house’s signature beige hues, Burberry’s swimwear offering is ideal for those wanting to hone their cool-girl aesthetic this year.
While the iconic nova check dominates the brand’s summer selection, we’ve seen a sprinkling of crinkling enter the chat this season. Simple triangle silhouettes are enhanced by bold prints that are synonymous with British heritage - giving a whole new (more chic) meaning to ‘Brit Abroad.’
Johanna Ortiz
Price: £££
Lose yourself in the luscious landscape of the Columbian jungle. Johanna Ortiz’s tropical collections are inspired by the evergreen mountain ranges and myriads of palm trees from her native South America. Effervescent jungle themes, large-scale leaves and earth tones dominate the designer’s swimwear offering, which spans swimsuits, cover-ups and bikinis.
Draping, crochet and embellishment demonstrate the swimwear label’s unparalleled craftsmanship which automatically whisks the wearer away to the tropics.
Buy now, Net-A-Porter
Eres
Price: £££
Colourblocking is Eres’ forte. The French label taps into the European penchant for minimalism, crafting statement one-pieces in shades of red, white, black, blue and raspberry. Simple yet sleek silhouettes define the figure and offer a secure fit via the signature rounded neckline, low scoop back and discreet sculpting panels of the timeless swimsuits.
The odd bikini adds a dash of prismatic colour, showcasing the brand’s distinctive ikat-inspired and Kaleido Soliel motif cut from the label's signature peau douce fabric that smooths the frame.
Buy now, Net-A-Porter
Jean Paul Gaultier
Price: £££
Jean Paul Gaultier is bolstered by the power of celebrity. Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Irina Shayk and Dua Lipa are just a handful of stars to sport the French brand’s cheeky yet futuristic colourful designs.
All-over butterfly prints and large rose graphics tap into the ongoing captivation with Y2K style, while an abundance of skin-showing mesh, high-cut legs and a penchant for nudist prints ooze sex appeal.
Buy now, Net-A-Porter
Oceanus
Price: £££
How many swimsuits are hand embroidered with Swarovski crystals? We’re guessing not many, except for Oceanus’ glittering designs. Each piece produced by the must-watch brand is made from recycled, eco-friendly materials making it an apt choice for sustainable shoppers.
Designed for the brave, Oceanus’ scintillating swimwear mirrors the confident attitude of Eighties evening wear which translates to glamorous perching poolside. Texture is intertwined in the brand’s DNA. Hand-embroidered crystals, multicoloured beading inspired by nature and metallic lycra made from recycled fishing nets dominate the traffic-stopping swimstyle selection.
Agua by Agua Bendita
Price: £££
Another Columbian success story, Agua by Agua Bendita aims to bring South American design to the world stage. Rustic prints from tropical florals to iridescent jewel-inspired motifs tap into Latin American wanderlust. Each piece is handmade at home by female artisans with recycled materials, ensuring workers can balance their work and family life.
Across the exquisite edit, consumers will find swimsuits and cover-ups in lush tropical prints and retro silhouettes, spanning linen maxi skirts, elegant cut-outs to flatter the feminine form and silk-blend pareos.
Buy now, Net-A-Porter
Marysia
Price: £££
Founded by Polish-born designer Maria Dobrzanska Reeves, Marysia serves up minimalism with a flicker of insignia scallop detailing. The brand fuses the designer’s love for surfing and ballet in each piece, offering secure, streamlined silhouettes that support the body.
Seersucker textures crafted from recycled fabrics are complemented by shell-inspired scalloped trims in shades of mint, black and fuchsia. Minimalist bandeau bikinis, terry tunics and elegant one-pieces make the choice for checkout near impossible.
Buy now, Net-A-Porter
