In the swim: Stylish swimwear that has fashion and function well-covered

You don’t have to be a natural athlete to make the most of these sporty, and helpfully supportive styles, says Emma Akbareian

It’s an all-too-common occurrence on beaches across the world; a big wave meets a tiny flimsy bikini that, unsurprisingly, never stood a chance.

This season you can preserve your dignity while undertaking the quest for stylish swimwear; invest in a suit with a sporty vibe to ensure you have both fashion and function well-covered.

Sports luxe is more than just a passing trend; it’s been a reoccurring presence on runways for multiple seasons. For spring/summer, designers including DKNY showed swimwear in an athletic-inspired palette of yellow, black and white with sheer panels, white stripes and baseball caps adding to the sportif theme.

Look out for sturdy beachwear with sportswear-inspired details such as mesh panels or contrast stitching. Wetsuit-style swimwear in neoprene fabrics with statement zips are another way to get the look. Accessories should be minimalist; a simple white tote paired with neutral summer sandals.

Alternatively try introducing transparent elements which also create the same sporty vibe, or add a metallic accent with chunky jewellery or futuristic-style sunglasses.