THE
ALTERNATIVE
SWIMWEAR GUIDE

Do we hope to have a) countless gorgeous sunny days this summer and b) plenty of chances to strip down to our bikinis? Yes, of course we do – but – we can always outsmart summer 2021 by siding with swimwear styles that swerve trends. “This season we’ve seen a lot of neutrals, which are perfect to embrace the skin you’re in, and plenty of textures to accentuate your beach wardrobe,” says our Body Studio Buyer, Grace Neal. Ganni’s high-waisted bikinis are cast in classic gingham, and the 90s minimalism at Peony will always be a strong vibe for low-key summer days. The same goes for Hunza G’s signature decade-defying crinkle fabric. These styles are a sound investment, even if holiday plans go awry – it just so happens that they also work a treat right now with SS21’s summer knits, laidback linen and au-naturel accessories (think wicker basket bags and crochet totes).

It’s not exactly a novel idea to wear your swimsuit as a body, but this season there’s a whole new wave of swim styles that look as though they were designed exclusively for dry land. “One of our key trends this season is matchy-matchy,” says Neal, “whether you’re matching your Hunza G bikini with a skirt and scrunchie or trying our new brand Myra Swim’s matching towelling sets for staycations. This trend is perfect for UK holidays, too, if you need to be a bit more covered up.” Think bikini styles that easily pass for crop tops (Attico, we’re looking at you), cool cutout minidresses, or, for perfectly matched maximalists, Charlotte Knowles’s splash-print swimsuit and spray-on jeans.

Summer isn’t all about needing a picturesque pool or bathwater-warm ocean – especially if you tend to spend yours in Britain. It’s also about getting to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature. This year, that might be by finding a wild swimming spot, bundling up in something a little more substantial on a well-earned staycation, or, alternatively, seeking out earth-conscious style that has a specific connection to nature. Take Hunza G, one of our British Makers: “Sustainability is always something I have believed in,” says Founder Georgiana Huddart, “…it’s important to try and make everything as sustainable as possible and offset against any negative impact that production can have on the environment.”

Looking right beyond swimwear at what the SS21 collections have to offer for your summer outfits, the cutouts on dresses, tops and even trousers, along with the bikini-adjacent bralettes from the likes of Khaite, tick the box for breeziness that works well beyond the beach. And, if sun, sea and sand do happen to be on the agenda, branch out beyond the usual beach cover-ups and think of loose-cut cargo trousers, cosy knits and oversized shirts that will see you through the rest of the year, and beyond.