Photoshoot: White swimwear for a stylish beach holiday

Forget rainbow shades – as the mercury rises, there’s only one way to stay cool in the heat. This season, choose swimwear in the ultimate neutral shade and team with gold accessories for instant seaside style

Strapless swimsuit £245, babajaancollection.com; sunglasses £120, Ray Ban, asos.com; bangles £10, missselfridge.com

There's no doubt that a white swimsuit has the wow factor. Since Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder in Dr No emerged from the ocean in that two-piece some 50 years ago, a white bikini has held its spot as the most iconic of all swimwear.

White translates best to more sporty styles; a simple strapless one-piece or anything with cutaway details adds to a graphic look. To add an element of glam, gold jewellery makes for ideal accessories.

Logistically white swimwear should be approached with slight caution. Investing in a good set that has sufficiently thick lining will save any embarrassment and ensure you emerge from the pool with your dignity intact.

Anything in white looks better when worn with a tan so if you do invest in white beachwear unless you have the advantage of pre-tanning, save your swimsuit to nearer the end of the stay.

Click on the gallery below to see this season's best all white swimwear:

Photographer: Andrew Leo

Stylist: Emma Akbareian

Model: Chloe Watson at Storm

Hair and Make-up: Krystle Gohel using Bobbi Brown and Dermalogica

Shot on location in Whitstable, for tourist information visit canterbury.co.uk