Like most things in fashion,the answer is in the eye of the beholder. But regardless of your price point,these expert tips will make buying any swimwear a lot easier.
Leave the lounging on rough surfaces for your more affordable swimsuits.iStock
Focus on fit
Trends come and go,but classic,well-fitted swimwear can last for seasons,says Vanessa Spencer,of multi-brand retailer The New Trend.
“Look for quality fabrications – these will last and add to your investment wardrobe. Avoid styles that don’t suit your body shape or that you don’t feel comfortable in,” says Spencer,“Look for versatility,such as a one-piece swimsuit that could work as a top for a night out,styled with high-waist pants.”
Marie-Claude Mallat,owner of Sydney’s MCMPR agency,first discovered Eres swimsuits,which cost between $650 to $750,about a decade ago (her agency now represents the brand in Australia). She says women over 40 often have a harder time finding the right suit,but when they do,they will often stick with it for years,which makes a higher price easier to swallow.
“The main drawcard for me is the way[Eres] enhances my shape – it has kept me feeling confident in swimwear,” she says. “The quality is made to last.”
Versatility pays off
We’ve all heard the saying “beach to bar”,but few cheaper swimsuits really deliver on that promise.
Finding a one-piece swimsuit that doubles as a bodysuit effectively halves your outlay,says Libby Page,market director for NET-A-PORTER. “This not only saves space when packing but also maximises the usage of your swimwear,” says Page,who favours a simple one-piece made with sculpting stretch fabric,such as the Vida style by Australian brand Bondi Born.
A preference for double-duty pieces is reflected in NET-A-PORTER’s sales data,says Page,which has seen a shift away from bikinis to “functional one-pieces in flattering shapes and materials”.
The housewife’s secret
Victoria Montano,founder of Sport Luxe,personal stylist and cast member ofThe Real Housewives of Sydney,says she has spent $650 on a swimsuit in the past,but her sweet spot is usually closer to $300,and even less for the pieces she actually swims in.
“You can spend $10,000 on a Chanel blazer – you get that dry-cleaned two or three times a year – it doesn’t see water,” says Montano. “Investment swimwear really comes down to how much swimming and the aftercare.”
For her “fashion” swimsuits,Montano likes Zimmermann and Johanna Ortiz,while for the water – especially in Europe – she likes Hunza G and Marysia Swim,which she says also suit most of her private styling clients.
It’s all about the care
Speaking of dry cleaning,that’s what Montano does with her suits at the end of her European holidays. Though while she’s away,it’s all about quick rinsing after any contact with salt,chlorine or SPF.
For those who are not in the business of taking their swimwear to the cleaners,cold-water washing and drying in the shade are important,says Spencer.
Still,it’s worth checking the care instructions of your suit. For instance,Marie Paule Minchelli,creative director of Eres,says the brand’s swimsuits benefit from machine washing “because it tightens the fibres”.
Can I invest in colour?
Investment doesn’t have to equal plain. Spencer suggests a good compromise is a two-tone neutral print,while Page likes Missoni’s zigzag prints,florals by Zimmermann or a stripe by Eres.
Hunza G’s Huddart says investing in colour can pay off. “It’s about finding shapes that work for you and colours that suit your skin tone – ignore what is cool or what people say is ‘trending’,” she says. “I have always worn black,bubblegum pink,navy stripe – I won’t be wearing lime[green] just because. Even though I love it,it doesn’t suit me.”
Shop sustainably
Investment dressing is its own form of sustainable style,but for added mindfulness,choose suits created with care for the planet.
Page says brands such as Sydney-based Matteau are focusing on local manufacturing,and using regenerated or upcycled materials,making them a wiser choice.
Hunza G is also a popular choice for sustainable style,as its one-size-fits-most cuts means less waste,and fewer returns. And,best of all,they will accommodate your body as it changes,too.
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