“The bikini is the most important thing since the atomic bomb,” said legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. Though she was known for fanciful statements that were prone to exaggeration; this one isn’t too far off.
Bikinins, maillots and other kinds of swimwear are certainly an all-important garment that everyone has in their closets. They are the prescribed pieces of clothing to wear on the beach or pool. And come the dog days of summer, one would be remiss to not be frolicking or reclining by a body of water. More importantly, they revolutionized fashion, freeing up the body with an explosion of skin. So yes, in terms of fashion, they are as close to the atomic bomb as it gets.
And just like a nuclear warhead (ok, maybe this one is a stretch), constructing a swimsuit takes precision and careful thought process. The cut of the bra, the length of the thong or the amount of ruching on the bodice can alter a swimsuit drastically. Unlike other fashion staples (i.e. the LBD, drop earrings and fitted jeans), they aren’t so accommodating or forgiving. Swimsuits are the most revealing articles of clothing that one can own, and every style and silhouette looks different, depending on one’s body type.
These are all characteristics the best swimwear brands keep in mind when they roll out new collections. And seeing how Miami Swim Week just wrapped up—and how you’re probably hitting the beach this weekend—we are highlighting five labels that you need to keep on your radar. And you don’t need to be fashion editor or a rocket scientist to see why.
