Fancy something to get you in the mood for summer? Thought so.This is the time of year to actually pre-plan your swimwear purchases before the best pieces sell out and you have to panic buy at the airport. Close your eyes, imagine tropical shores, palm leaves dappling the sunlight that’s hitting your tanned body and the sound of the ocean rolling in and out on the shore. Ok, so I might be waxing a little lyrical here, but the essence of the story is The Stylish Stuff is whisking you off to a virtual far-flung shore with 12 handpicked swim and holiday pieces to get you in the mood for sand between your toes and a fruity cocktail in hand. You’re welcome.

 

Often reserved for later in the holiday, a crisp white swimsuit is actually the perfect go-to on day one. I mean, even a redhead like myself looks a little golden in crisp white. Rosie for Autograph’s white floral swimsuit boasts a super-flattering, pretty print placement and demure neckline for early days in the sun. Just loosely tie a sarong at the waist, add some shoulder-dusting earrings and head to the bar when the sun gets too hot. Swimsuit, £35 Rosie for Autograph at M&S; earrings £16, River Island.

 

A ventilated cover-up? Genius. Pretty enough to throw over for modesty, cool enough not to swelter in the hot sun. It’s also perfect with a cami top and jeans when not away on tropical shores. Stripes and stitching are a strong trend for swimwear and look great in more earthy hues.
Cream stripe stitch triangle bikini top £24 and bottoms £16, jacket £55, all River Island; pink earrings £9.50, M&S Collection.

 

When a swimsuit also makes for the perfect evening top. This Rosie for Autograph at M&S black floral plunge swimsuit £39.50, looks as gorgeous with wide linen trousers as it does with jeans or a cute little skirt; the neckline and wider straps are super-flattering beach or bar side. Just add ‘Adventurer’ mirrored sunglasses £167.50, Silhouette from www.pretavoir.co.uk and earrings £12.50 M&S Collection.

 

Heartland territory for me, the bohemian blouse is most definitely a holiday suitcase must. It’s loose-fitting, it’s light and can be thrown over a bikini during the day or be worn with a wide cut trouser or skirt in the evening. This yellow blouse from Jigsaw is perfection.Blouse £80, Jigsaw

 

There’s nothing quite like a well-progressing tan and salty, beach hair to elevate your body confidence, hence it’s time to up your swimwear game. A swimsuit with a high cut leg and low cut front with sexy tie detail is just the ticket; Rosie for Autograph’s black eyelet swimsuit £39.50, can be laced up tighter when you’re feeling demure and undone when the heat is on; embroidered jacket (just seen) £98 Jigsaw;  Pink Earrings £9.50,  palm tree circle straw bag £25, both M&S Collection;

 

With its’ underwiring and halterneck cut this Boux Avenue Haiti bikini top £30 with matching hi-waisted bottoms, £18, is a sexier option for the beach, great for those with smaller boobs to give them a boost and supportive for the more well-endowed. Flower and leaf earrings £15.99, Zara

 

Ok so a pompom bikini might not be the most practical for an energetic front crawl in the sea BUT it is super cute worn with cut-off denim shorts or a flirty little holiday skirt for Island exploring; sitting poolside with a cocktail or laying on your lilo in calmer waters. Oh, and if deep-sea dips are still on your radar, just be gentle when hand-washing it after your swim. Pompom bikini top £17.99, and flower and leaf earrings £15.99, both Zara.

 

Note to self: it’s ok to opt for swimsuits with high-waisted bikini bottoms. These figure flatterers are massively on trend this summer and the added bonus is the high waisted brief holds in your stomach, lengthens your legs and feel like a comfort blanket to those of us who are beach-body-shy. White floral bikini top £25, and matching high waisted bottoms £16, Rosie for Autograph; earrings £15, Autograph at M&S (available in-store and online soon); sunglasses £17.50, M&S Collection.

 

Some bikini tops have ‘festival’ written all over them, not that you can really ever dream of swanning around in a bikini top at a UK festival, but there’s always hope the weather will behave. The Stylish Stuff loves this studded and embroidered set from TopShop, gorgeous on a far-flung shore – a fingers-crossed at Glastonbury. Super studded bikini top and bottoms set £42, Topshop. Earrings, £16, River Island.