The swimsuit is no longer the thing under your outfit. It is the outfit. We found 24 that prove it, from a A$90 tassel bottom to a A$1,455 hand-beaded dress you will want to wear to dinner.

Here is a confession from a stylist who has packed more suitcases for more celebrities than she cares to count. The swimsuit always went in last. A black one, maybe a spare, done. That era is over, and frankly, good riddance.

Look at what came down the swim runways. On the Vogue Mexico & Latin America runway, a glossy caramel bandeau edged in chocolate, worn with saucer-sized sunglasses and a woven clutch like it was a Tuesday. At Shan, a black one-piece slashed at the shoulder and the waist so it looked carved, not cut. At Melissa Odabash, a white tank suit with holes punched out of the hips that made everyone in the room sit up. At Monday Swimwear, a zigzag knit triangle with a matching sarong knotted at the hip and a straw hat the width of a beach umbrella. Swimwear has stopped whispering. It is wearing jewellery, going to lunch and staying out for drinks.

Five moods are running the show right now: leopard that behaves like a neutral, shine that catches every bit of light, sculpted cut-outs, crochet that looks handmade because it is, and full-blown fantasy with flowers, feathers, starfish and crystals. We went hunting through the small labels the fashion girls on Instagram are buying first, plus a few names you already love, and pulled together every piece worth your money. Prices are in Australian dollars, listed from the biggest spend to the smallest in each mood. Where a brand charges in euros or US dollars we have converted at today’s rate and marked it “approx.”

1. Leopard Is a Neutral Now. Act Accordingly.

Leopard has never needed permission, and the newest version comes with a twist: extra-long ties in a contrasting zebra stripe that you wrap, knot and leave trailing down your leg. It looks expensive and undone at the same time, which is the whole trick. Main Rose nails it with gold hoops and nothing else, and it costs less than dinner for two.

 

Main Rose
Basic Beach Triangle Set, Leopard
approx. A$112
The exact set from our Reel. Leopard triangles, a side-tie bottom and those long zebra-stripe ties. Minimal coverage, maximum attitude. The brand suggests sizing up for a more classic fit.
SHOP NOW

2. Turn the Lights Up: Shine, Lurex and Gold Hardware

If the caramel bandeau on the Vogue Mexico & Latin America runway taught us anything, it is that a swimsuit with a glow does half the work for you. Lurex, crystal and liquid shimmer catch the light at the pool and again at sunset, which means your photos are basically taking themselves. Wear it with oversized round sunglasses and stacked bangles. Do not, under any circumstances, wear it with a sensible cover-up.

 

Oséree
Bubble Maillot
A$731
The label every swim obsessive has bookmarked. A fitted one-piece in aqua or plum with that unmistakable Oséree texture. Quietly expensive, loudly good.
SHOP NOW

 

Isabel Beachwear
Diamond Bikini, Pistache
approx. A$475
Rhinestone-covered shiny lycra in pistachio with a top that ties three ways and gold-tipped laces at the hip. Sold out at the time of writing, so check back or ask the brand for a restock.
SHOP NOW

Oséree
Lumière Shell Two Piece, Brown
A$463
Sculpted shell cups in shimmering lurex. The closest thing to a mermaid fantasy without the tail, and the brown is the shade to buy.
SHOP NOW

Oséree
Lumière Bicolor Double Kini, Orange-Lilac
A$366
Two colours, double straps, full shimmer. Orange and lilac should not work together. They do. Trust us.
SHOP NOW

Azulu
Lottie Maillot, Twilight Blue
A$347
One shoulder, an asymmetric neckline and rope-twist trim in dark blue shimmer. The swimsuit version of a cocktail dress. Low stock, so do not sit on it.
SHOP NOW

Oséree
Lumière Candy Two Piece
A$342
Bright, shimmery and sweet as the name. The one that makes everyone at the pool ask where it is from.
SHOP NOW

Devon Windsor
Giana Bikini Top, Umber
approx. A$228
An underwired halter with gold-tone hardware in rich umber. Devon Windsor spent years in front of the camera in swimwear, and it shows in how this one sits.
SHOP NOW

3. Carved, Not Cut: The Sculpted One-Piece

Shan’s black suit slashed across the shoulder and Melissa Odabash’s white tank with its hips punched out were two of the strongest looks on the swim runways. This is the one-piece reimagined as sculpture. Negative space, high legs and the odd ring of hardware. It works in the water, and it works even better as a bodysuit under a long linen skirt when the sun goes down.

Images: Shan, Melissa Odabash

Oceanus
Carmensita Hand-Beaded One Piece Swimsuit, Black
A$679
Scoop neck, high-cut leg, low back and tropical hand beading. Made to order, so allow a little time. This is swimwear as jewellery.
SHOP NOW

Isabel Beachwear
Mermaid One Piece Lycra, Pistache
approx. A$422
Twisted ruching, a low front and a slightly high leg in the prettiest pistachio. Made in Italy and seamless at the bottom, so no elastic marks.
SHOP NOW

Azulu
Siona Maillot, Sacramento Green
A$376
A central tagua ring linking graphic cut-outs. The sculpted one-piece the runway kept sending out, with a natural-material twist.
SHOP NOW

 

Isabel Beachwear
Cindy One Piece, Black and Almond
approx. A$359
An 80s high-cut leg, a deep back, underwire cups and a removable belt. Very Bond girl. Very yes.
SHOP NOW

4. Made by Hand: Crochet, Knit and Mesh

Yacht Club of Monaco’s granny-square set in hot pink and lime. Peixoto’s striped knit bikini with a split mini skirt fastened by wooden beads. Monday Swimwear’s zigzag knit triangle with a matching sarong. If you can wear it with shorts or a skirt, even better. Crochet has gone from craft-market souvenir to the most wanted texture on the sand, and the best of it looks like your coolest aunt made it in 1974. Pair it with a giant straw hat and keep the skirt on for lunch.

Images: Yacht Club of Monaco, Peixoto, Monday Swimwear

Oceanus
Flower Starfish Tasseled Hand Beaded Black Sheer Mini Dress
A$1,455
Sheer black mesh, hand-beaded starfish and flowers, swinging tassels. Throw it over any black swimsuit and you are dressed for dinner. Nobody is asking you to change.
SHOP NOW

Cleonie
Coco Crochet Kini Top, Oceanic
A$105 (was A$150)
Crochet in an ombre of blues, lined in Italian ECONYL with an adjustable bra back. Currently marked down, so this is the moment.
SHOP NOW

Sol Thru Wear
Lina Bikini Top, Charlotte
A$100
Australian label, quick-dry mesh, tassels on the ties. Dispatched within 24 hours, which matters when the trip is on Friday.
SHOP NOW

Sol Thru Wear
Nina Bottom, Charlotte
A$90
The matching tie bottom with tassel ends. Buy the set. Do not overthink it.
SHOP NOW

5. Flowers, Feathers and Fantasy

Then there is Peixoto’s red bikini with oversized fabric flowers climbing up the strap, each one finished with a pearl. It is ridiculous in the best possible way, and it is exactly where swim is heading. Appliqué flowers, starfish cups, lace feathers, tulle ruffles and cherries. This is swimwear for the woman who would rather be remembered than blend in.

Image: Peixoto

Isabel Beachwear
Plumage Bikini, Coconut Brown
approx. A$454
Rhinestones, cotton lace feathers and gold-tone tips on the ties. The top wears three ways. Limited sizes, so move.
SHOP NOW

Isabel Beachwear
Isabel Bikini, Ivory
approx. A$446
Three tiers of pleated tulle ruffles, a sequin cover and draped semi-Brazilian briefs. Made in Italy. Sold out at the time of writing, so keep an eye on it.
SHOP NOW

Bahía María
Lucia One Piece, Forest
approx. A$441
Strapless, with a laser-cut floral bust and handcrafted appliqué. Deep forest green on a tan is a combination we want to see a lot more of.
SHOP NOW

Bahía María
Analu Bikini Top, Ivory
approx. A$363
Laser-cut floral appliqués all over, a rounded neckline and wide straps. Ivory with texture looks expensive in every light.
SHOP NOW

Bahía María
Flora Bikini Top
approx. A$313
Starfish-shaped cups in openwork lace. Pure beach fantasy. Currently XL only, so if that is you, this is your sign.
SHOP NOW

Bahía María
Maia Bikini Top, Ivory
approx. A$277
A ruched bandeau with a 3D flower at the centre. Romantic, a little bit Riviera and very good with gold hoops.
SHOP NOW

Kiki de Montparnasse
Peep Show Mesh-Trimmed Bikini Top, Coral
A$218 (was A$435)
The New York lingerie label brings its boudoir sensibility to the beach with dainty triangle cups and mesh panels. Half price at NET-A-PORTER and sizes are going fast.
SHOP NOW

Isabel Beachwear
My Cherry Bikini
approx. A$143 (was approx. A$446)
A two-tone cherry print top with high-waisted briefs, made in Italy. The sweetest thing in this edit, now at a sweet price.
SHOP NOW

How to Wear Swimwear Off the Sand

Treat the swimsuit as the top half of an outfit. Add a sheer beaded dress, a crochet skirt or a sarong knotted low on the hip and it reads as a look, not a cover-up. Oversized round sunglasses, a straw hat with a dramatic brim and stacked gold bangles finish it. Cut-out one-pieces double as bodysuits with a long linen skirt. Leopard needs nothing but gold hoops and somewhere to be.

Swimwear FAQ

What swimwear is trending right now?
Five looks lead: leopard with contrast ties, shine and lurex, sculpted cut-out one-pieces, crochet and knit sets, and embellished swim with appliqué flowers, feathers, crystals and beading.

Where can I buy designer swimwear online in Australia?
Oséree, Oceanus, Azulu and Cleonie show prices in Australian dollars, and NET-A-PORTER sells Kiki de Montparnasse in AUD. Bahía María, Isabel Beachwear, Main Rose and Devon Windsor at Anthropologie charge in euros or US dollars, so check delivery to Australia at checkout.

What is the best affordable swimwear in this edit?
Sol Thru Wear, an Australian label, at A$100 for the top and A$90 for the bottom. Main Rose’s leopard triangle set is about A$112 for both pieces.

One-piece or bikini?
Both. The one-piece has gone sculptural with cut-outs and hardware, and the bikini has gone decorative with shells, flowers and beading. Pick the one you will actually wear to lunch.

Prices and stock checked on 24 October 2026 and may change.