How to choose the swimsuit that really suits you

Most swimwear guides start by telling you what to hide. We'd rather start somewhere else: what you actually want to do while wearing it.

If you're going to swim properly, you need real support and straps that won't shift. If you're mostly lying down and dipping in and out of the water, a tied triangle top is a fair choice; it's more comfortable and leaves fewer marks. If you're out for the whole day, think about tan lines as much as the cut.

Fabric decides more than you'd think. A good-weight lycra holds its shape and doesn't turn see-through when wet. Crochet and macramé are a different matter: they fall differently, mould to the body and age with character, but they ask for your true size, not one down.

On sizing, we'll say it plainly: a smaller size doesn't flatter, it just digs in. You'll see it in the strap marks by the end of the day and in photos, where the fabric pulls on the diagonal. A piece in your true size always looks better.

And something we learned from sewing: tie-side bottoms forgive far more than fixed ones, because you adjust them yourself each time. If you're torn between two sizes, or your body changes over the year, they're the sensible choice. If you want to see it in practice, start with our tie-side pieces or check the size guide.