Claire's Picks

Swimsuits Worth Having in Your Wardrobe

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A good swimsuit is genuinely hard to find, and most of us have a drawer full of evidence to prove it. The ones that looked promising online but fit badly. The ones that sagged after a single swim. The ones that were fine but never quite right. We've been pulling together the swimsuits that actually clear the bar, and it's a higher bar than it sounds. Fit matters more here than almost anywhere else in dressing. So does fabric quality, because a cheap swimsuit announces itself almost immediately. We look for structure where structure is needed, flattering cuts that have real intention behind them, and colours and prints that hold their appeal once you're actually in the sun wearing them rather than just browsing. One piece swimsuits are well represented here because we think they deserve their moment. Some are sleek and minimal. Some have detail that earns its place. All of them are the kind of thing you actually want to pack rather than settling for. The swimsuit is too important a piece to treat as an afterthought.

Claire's Top Picks

Black Swimsuits Worth a Spot in the Case SOCK SHOP Love Luna Pack Women's Period Squad Swimsuit Black - Jump to section ↓

£35.99 SOCK SHOP

Blue Swimsuits That Fit Where They Should DAMART Damart Swimsuit Jump to section ↓

£42.99 DAMART

Brown Swimsuits That Fit Where They Should THE_DOUBLE_F Brown Cabana swimsuit with ruffles Jump to section ↓

£169.00 THE_DOUBLE_F

Swimsuits That Fit Where They Should PRETTYLITTLETHING UK Espresso Cross Front Strappy Swimsuit Jump to section ↓

£17.50 PRETTYLITTLETHING UK

Swimsuits Worth Packing for the Beach INSTOCK UK Tropical Leopard Neutral Swimsuit - High Quality & Stylish Swimwear for All! Jump to section ↓

£12.94 INSTOCK UK

Swimsuits Worth the Tan Lines MONSOON Floral Jacquard Cut-Out Swimsuit Pink Jump to section ↓

£14.00 MONSOON

Black Swimsuits Worth a Spot in the Case

Black swimsuits have a reputation for being the safe choice, the backup plan, the thing you reach for when you can't decide. We'd argue they're actually the most considered choice you can make. A really good black swimsuit is one of the hardest things to find because the cut has nowhere to hide. No print to distract, no colour to charm. Just shape, fabric, and how it sits on your body. That's exactly why we've been so particular about the ones we've chosen here. Some are simple and sculptural, doing everything through line and construction. Others have interesting details that reward the closer look without shouting. All of them photograph well, pack without fuss, and work from the pool to the beach to a sunlounger at a hotel you've been saving up for. We've also made sure there's genuine variety in silhouette, from high-cut and minimal to more supportive styles with real structure. Black is not the boring option. In the right cut, it's the most intentional thing you can pack.

SOCK SHOP Love Luna Pack Women's Period Squad Swimsuit Black - £35.99 SOCK SHOP

THE_DOUBLE_F Celine black one-piece swimsuit £230.00 THE_DOUBLE_F

YESSTYLE_US_GLOBAL Puff-Sleeve Ruffle Swimsuit Black £24.09 YESSTYLE_US_GLOBAL

STUARTS LONDON Adidas Originals Womens Trefoil swimsuit - Black £10.48 STUARTS LONDON

GODDIVA_UK Goddiva Multiway Swimsuit £40.00 GODDIVA_UK

YESSTYLE_US_GLOBAL Set: Cap-Sleeve Plain Swimsuit + Swim Skirt Set of - Swimsuit & Swim Skirt - Black £11.24 YESSTYLE_US_GLOBAL

JUICY COUTURE UK BLACK HALTER TIE SWIMSUIT - Black £60.00 JUICY COUTURE UK

LA REDOUTE UK Kalima Black Swimsuit £121.00 LA REDOUTE UK

MONSOON Alicia Rib Halter Swimsuit Black £34.30 MONSOON

JUICY COUTURE UK BLACK HALTER TIE SWIMSUIT - L Black £60.00 JUICY COUTURE UK

LA REDOUTE UK AquaNite Shaping Swimsuit £50.99 LA REDOUTE UK

DAMART Damart Perfect Fit Swimsuit £42.99 DAMART

Blue Swimsuits That Fit Where They Should

Finding a swimsuit that actually fits is harder than it should be. The bust gaps, the bottom rides, the fabric goes transparent the moment it gets wet. We've been through all of it. Blue swimsuits are worth caring about specifically because the colour works across every skin tone and photographs beautifully in natural light, which matters when you're somewhere worth photographing. But none of that counts for anything if the fit isn't right. So the edit here is built around swimsuits that hold where they need to hold, cover what they're supposed to cover, and don't require constant adjustment once you're in the water. We've included one pieces and bikinis across a range of blues, from pale sky through to deep navy, because the shade changes everything about how a swimsuit reads. Structured cups for those who need support. Fuller coverage bottoms for those who've given up on triangles. Styles with adjustable straps because bodies are not standard. These are the swimsuits we'd actually pack. The ones that make getting into a swimming costume feel like a decision worth making.

DAMART Damart Swimsuit £42.99 DAMART

PRETTYLITTLETHING UK Blue Crinkle Low Scoop Back Swimsuit £6.50 PRETTYLITTLETHING UK

HUNKEMOLLER_UK Hunkemöller Shaping Kai Swimsuit Blue £15.90 HUNKEMOLLER_UK

HUNKEMOLLER_UK Hunkemöller Shaping Shell Mesh Swimsuit Blue £37.50 HUNKEMOLLER_UK

PRETTYLITTLETHING UK Aqua Blue Crinkle Strappy Swimsuit £8.75 PRETTYLITTLETHING UK

THE_DOUBLE_F Crypto Duck swimsuit £45.05 THE_DOUBLE_F

INSTOCK UK In Sexy Solid Color Swimsuit Set Ladies Beach Bikini Swimwear, S, M, L, , X - L Dark Blue £5.99 INSTOCK UK

INSTOCK UK In Sexy Solid Color Swimsuit Set Ladies Beach Bikini Swimwear, S, M, L, , X - X Blue £5.99 INSTOCK UK

YESSTYLE_US_GLOBAL Strapless Plaid Swimsuit Blue £19.97 YESSTYLE_US_GLOBAL

YESSTYLE_US_GLOBAL Set: Spaghetti Strap Plain Swimsuit + Cover-Up Skirt Blue £35.77 YESSTYLE_US_GLOBAL

YESSTYLE_US_GLOBAL Plain Swimsuit Blue £24.24 YESSTYLE_US_GLOBAL

INSTOCK UK Premium Tropical Floral Sea Blue Swimsuit - High Quality & Stylish £12.94 INSTOCK UK

Brown Swimsuits That Fit Where They Should

Brown is having its moment in swimwear and honestly it makes complete sense. The whole range of it, from pale sand to deep chocolate, works with warm skin tones in a way that brighter colours rarely do. It photographs beautifully against water. It looks expensive without trying. And yet finding a brown swimsuit that actually fits properly is where most people get stuck, because a great colour in the wrong cut is still a great colour you won't wear. That is what this edit is actually about. Fit first. We have been specific about the cuts here, the ones that offer real support across the chest, that sit where they are supposed to sit, that do not gap or roll or require constant adjustment the moment you move. One pieces that hold their shape. Bikinis where the bottoms do not creep. We are not interested in swimwear that looks good on a hanger and gives up entirely on a body. Brown swimwear done well is one of the quieter style wins of a summer wardrobe. Wear it once and you will understand why we made the fuss.

THE_DOUBLE_F Brown Cabana swimsuit with ruffles £169.00 THE_DOUBLE_F