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How to get beach-ready with season's best swimwear

How to get beach-ready with season's best swimwear

Khaleej Times20-05-2025
If you've lived in the UAE for as long as I have‭ (‬since 2005‭, ‬thanks for asking‭), ‬you'll be all too familiar with the blink-and-you-miss-it sweet spot of beachability‭. ‬That small window‭, ‬twice a year‭, ‬when the days‭ ‬aren't too hot for lounging on the sand from dawn till dusk‭, ‬and the sea temperature reads a balmy high-20s‭. ‬That time is now‭, ‬which‭ ‬means we can pause all other shopping priorities and turn our attention to swimwear‭. ‬
Swimwear‭, ‬like lingerie and gym wear‭, ‬is one category that it doesn't pay to cheap out on‭, ‬unless you are Gisele Bündchen‭. ‬For the rest of us‭, ‬good swimwear can hoick bits up‭, ‬smooth bits down‭, ‬and distract from the bits where we'd rather not have bits at all‭. ‬Yes‭, ‬under-arm bulge‭, ‬I am looking at you‭.‬
My non-negotiables when shopping for swimwear are straps robust enough for decent bust support‭ (‬or underwired cups if you prefer‭ ‬a tan line-friendly bandeau top‭), ‬generous bottom coverage‭, ‬and a luxurious fabric to smooth‭, ‬sculpt‭, ‬and support‭. ‬I've yet to find swimwear that meets this Holy Trinity on high street‭, ‬but given that baring all on the beach requires wearing next to nothing in full daylight‭, ‬I am happy to spend on swimwear that I can put on and forget about‭. ‬
The OG of luxury swimwear and a perennial can't-go-wrong option is Melissa Odabash‭. ‬The UK-based brand has just opened its first UAE store in Dubai Mall‭, ‬and Melissa's designs‭ ‬–‭ ‬much like the American designer herself‭ ‬–‭ ‬are eternally chic and classic‭. ‬I've got my eye on the sporty zip-front‭ ‬'Bellino'‭ ‬one piece‭ (‬approx‭. ‬Dh1,265‭) ‬in zesty clementine this season‭. ‬In the same category‭, ‬but even more luxurious‭, ‬I'd put the Chanel-owned Eres‭, ‬which has stores in Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates‭. ‬The French brand's fabrics are unparalleled‭, ‬and when I put out a call on Instagram for swimwear recommendations‭, ‬the most elegant women I know all replied with Eres‭.‬
Happily‭, ‬swimwear is a category where we no longer need to look overseas to style up beach club days‭. ‬A slew of Dubai-born brands have made it their mission to respond to the regional client and climate with astute local insight‭. ‬Launched in 2021‭, ‬therinós‭, ‬which means‭ ‬'summery'‭ ‬in Greek‭, ‬is the brainchild of Dubai resident Mandy Oikonomopoulou Bosini‭. ‬Its couture sensibility offers a high-fashion style‭ ‬statement‭, ‬akin to ready-to-wear‭, ‬without compromising on fit or form‭. ‬The‭ ‬'Grace'‭ ‬style‭, ‬as a one-piece or high-waisted bikini‭, ‬has ingenious hidden bust support to make you the most elegant on the beach‭, ‬while the brand's clever use of ruching flatters women of all ages‭. ‬Whether you are heading to Abu Dhabi's Anantara Santorini‭, ‬or Sirene by Gaia in Dubai's J1‭, ‬therinós embodies Greek chic in the Gulf‭. ‬Also locally born‭, ‬and aimed firmly at the body confident‭, ‬is Salty Swim‭, ‬founded by UAE media exec Habiba Basiony‭. ‬Think Brazilian flamboyance in a riot of carnival colours and perfect for the UAE's beach club party scene‭. ‬Another local favourite is Caha Capo‭, ‬founded by the effervescent entrepreneur Donna Benton‭. ‬This season‭, ‬the brand has a beautiful turquoise in the exact colour of the Abu Dhabi ocean‭; ‬I'm buying it in the‭ ‬'Brigitte'‭ ‬one piece‭ (‬Dh650‭).‬
The most recommended swim brand on my Insta poll was UK-based Hunza G‭, ‬the one-size-fits-most label known for its crinkle fabric‭. ‬Feeling conservative‭? ‬Opt for its Coverage styles for more bust support‭, ‬a higher back scoop and a lower-cut leg‭. ‬Or‭, ‬to dial‭ ‬things up a notch‭, ‬the‭ ‬'80s-inspired‭ ‬'Tiffany'‭ (‬Dh1,100‭) ‬has‭ ‬
cutout bow detailing down the sides‭. ‬On that note‭, ‬judicious cut outs can be surprisingly flattering‭. ‬Cleverly-positioned cutaways on either side of the rib cage give the optical illusion of a narrower torso and get my wholehearted seal of approval‭. ‬
I recently discovered Istanbul-based OYE Swimwear‭, ‬available at Ounass‭, ‬and it's now my go-to for boujie boat days‭. ‬The chic monochrome one-pieces are the beachwear equivalent of a black-tie gown‭, ‬albeit with a price tag to match‭. ‬It might be 38-degrees out there‭, ‬but in swimwear of this calibre‭, ‬you'll look hot for all the right reasons‭. ‬
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