Remember a time when one-piece swimming costumes were deemed the preserve either of older beach dwellers or of the prudish? Happily, those days are long dispensed with; bikinis will, of course, always be popular, but the one-piece has now been roundly rehabilitated, speaking of style and glamour, as opposed to the more puritanical sensibilities it was once associated with. And we say thank god.

There are some really lovely examples in the shops and online right now, from arrestingly bold block colour numbers to prettily patterned styles. Some cut a more daring dash with cutaway details, while others are streamlined and classic. We love them all – simply pair with oversized sunglasses, a huge hat and a cocktail, and the instant throwback to 1950s la dolce vita will be complete.

Here are the one-piece bathing beauties we are eyeing up for our summer hols.

By Lucy Abletshauser
May 2022

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