Beach belles

Cute, glamorous and just a little bit cheeky, there’s something so right about the retro beach belle look.

Perhaps it’s because modern swimwear had started to become so unattractive – those sleek high-tech swimsuits designed for speed or, far worse, horrible one-pieces with huge cut-out holes, basically a Lycra bandage around the torso. Then there are thongs and string bikinis – awful even on toned bodies.

Instead, swimwear that references the glory days gone by is far more sexy and flattering, cut to cope with curves and draw attention to one’s best assets.

Swimsuits and bikinis of the 1950s and 1960s covered the bottom and bust while giving them shape and support, and modern interpretations stay true to this format, with added technical bonuses afforded by new shapewear technology, bust enhancers and tummy minimisers perfecting the silhouette (to a degree, anyway).

Choose a suit or bikini that works with your basic shape, though – wide strap and halterneck styles work well for larger busts, while those with smaller busts can go for spaghetti strap and bandeau styles (ruching can work miracles). For bottoms, there are shorts styles (actually best suited to boyish figures) and high-waist bikini bottoms, which work well on larger hips if accompanied by a high-cut leg. Lots of retro styles have frilly trim, although be wary of these if you are a typical British pear shape, in which case also avoid ties on hips; keep all your interest up top, to balance you out.

Both polka dots and gingham check are perfect for achieving true pin-up girl status, although this season luscious tropical prints are working very well on retro styles. For pure chic, however, you can’t beat a sophisticated 1930s and ’40s inspired black V-neck one-piece, as in the one shown here by Boux Avenue. Fabulously glamorous and a style that will suit most shapes and sizes.