QUIET LUXURY SWIMWEAR IS HAVING A MOMENT
And this is everything you need to know about it...
Once upon a time, swimwear meant string bikinis in retina-searing neons or plunging monokinis in wild animal print. (I still have the tan lines. And the regret.) But these days, the most stylish women on the beach aren’t just dressing for optimum bronzing, they’re putting as much thought into their beach attire as the rest of the holiday. Welcome to the golden age of quiet luxury swimwear, where the cut is clean, the palette muted, and the branding conspicuously absent. It’s less about showing off and more about showing you know.
You’ll find no novelty slogans here—no “Salty but Sweet” stitched across your bum. Instead, the mood is subtle seduction. Think Gwyneth Paltrow at a Tuscan villa, sipping something chilled and organic in a square-cut one-piece. The vibe? Effortlessly expensive. But make it palatable.
Let’s start with the basics. A chic swimsuit—like a perfect white tee or well-tailored trouser—needs to do the heavy lifting without looking like it’s trying. One brand nailing this is Eres, the OG of minimalist French swim. Their Les Essentiels Cassiopée Bandeau Swimsuit in jet black or dark khaki is as sleek as a Martini at golden hour. It's eye-wateringly expensive, yes, but you’ll wear it for a decade and never once feel naff
For a slightly gentler price tag, Toteme’s One-Piece or high-waisted Signature Shorts offer that Stockholm-jet-set energy—pared-back, elegant, and just revealing enough. Pair with their linen pareo and oversized sunglasses and pretend you’re checking into Il Pellicano.
Then there’s Haight, the Brazilian label reinterpreting 90s cuts through a quiet luxury lens. Their Classic Monica One-Piece in creamy white is a summer MVP: flattering, unfussy, and best accessorised with a good book and a straw hat (preferably Lack of Color or Loro Piana, depending on your budget and tax bracket).
And because no one does coastal chic quite like the Aussies, Matteau deserves a mention. Their Square Maillot is beloved for a reason—structured without being stiff, and always in the sort of colours you want your bedroom painted: oat, sand, muted olive. Also: it stays put, which is key when wrangling a toddler or paddle boarding with moderate grace.
Crucially, quiet luxury swimwear is a mindset. It says: “I may not be on a yacht, but I could be. I choose discretion.” It's a nod to sophistication in an age of oversharing; a way to feel sexy without being naked; and—let’s be honest—a delicious excuse to spend an indecent amount of money on something that covers approximately 20% of your body.
So how do you wear it?
1. Ditch the kaftan. Instead, reach for a crisp oversized shirt—white or sky blue, gently crumpled—and wear it half-buttoned, sleeves rolled just-so. Arket’s cotton poplin styles are ideal.
2. Elevate with accessories. A raffia tote (I’m eyeing Dragon Diffusion or Loewe’s Anagram basket) and minimalist slides (Hermès Oran, or Ancient Greek Sandals if you’re feeling economical) instantly signal polish.
3. Jewellery? Yes—but make it subtle. A slim gold chain, a pair of barely-there hoops. Nothing jangly. The idea is: “Oh this old thing? I always wear it to the beach.” Even if it’s 18k.
4. SPF, darling. Quiet luxury skin doesn’t sunburn. Try Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen for a matte finish that won’t slide off the moment you squint.
So yes, swimwear is having a moment. But like any good summer fling, the best kind is slow, understated, and leaves you feeling like your most put-together self. Even if your hair’s full of salt and you’ve lost one espadrille.
Just don’t forget the SPF.
wonderful edit as usual xx