Hit the beach

Would you buy pre-owned swimwear? Why not? Think about it – you buy a stunning bikini from Missoni, or Zimmermann, or Melissa Odabash, and you perhaps wear it every day of your holiday, for a morning or afternoon, which means it’s then had a total of seven (short) days wear.

When you get home, it’s tucked into a drawer and barely considered until your next holiday. Maybe you wear it again, or maybe you’re in the mood for something new – so what happens with your seven days-worn swimwear? eBay, Vinted or the charity shop, that’s what. This happens to women regardless of their shopping budget, meaning that when you find a beautiful piece of pre-loved designer swimwear, it’s not only at a fraction of its original price, but it’s barely worn.

I love a bargain, and for me, wearing Missoni to the beach, knowing I have paid a really great price for it, makes me smile. However, while I love a bargain, I am also obsessively hot on quality, so will only accept swimwear that looks basically unworn, from highly sought-after brands which place the same emphasis on quality of construction as I do.

Pre-loved Missoni swimwear

Missoni is, of course, famed for its iconic knitwear and distinctive striped patterns. Swimwear doesn’t generally work so well in a knitted wool, or even cotton, (those Victorians must really have suffered in their woolen swimsuits!) and of course Missoni bikinis are made with a lightweight viscose knit that holds its shape and maintains your style – and dignity. Aside from these more practical considerations, they are drop dead gorgeous and turn knowledgeable heads whenever they appear poolside.

One of the greatest joys of Missoni, of course, is that it has a timeless appeal and everlasting elegance – there’s no such thing as ‘so last season’ with a Missoni bikini. (Check out our range of Missoni here).

Pre-loved Camilla swimwear

Oh Camilla! Unlike many brands, you’re not so likely to be familiar with this one unless you have found it in a high-end resort, or been stopped in your tracks by a display in Harrods, perhaps.

Camilla Franks is one of Australia’s leading fashion designers and is obsessed by the power of pattern to bring drama, indicate opulence and inspire adventure. I adore her dresses (I’m seen here in Barbados in a preloved 100% silk maxi dress that is a joy to wear). Her swimwear and beachwear collections are the stuff of legend. On her swimming costumes, beautiful, busy prints both draw the eye and confuse the eye, meaning you can have that extra croissant at breakfast and Camilla will applaud you. Her bikinis have a similar kaleidoscopic effect, giving you a confidence boost to strut your stuff and be proud. (Check out our range of Camilla here).

Pre-loved Zimmermann swimwear

Beachwear pieces by Zimmermann don’t come my way as often as I would like, which is a shame because the brand’s soft, feminine and floaty dresses and playsuits positively bounce out the boutique almost as soon as they come in. Zimmemann has a very boho aesthetic to their collections, making it great for holidays and floating about town on a warm summer’s day. (Check out our range of Zimmermann here).

Pre-loved Melissa Odabash swimwear

Melissa Odabash is a model-turned-swimwear designer who took up her trade when working as a swimwear model in Italy and was unable to find the styles she wanted to wer herself. Her ‘look’ is sleek and unfussy, with simple lines, flattering cuts and a limited colour palette. Block colour swimwear suitable for throwing oneself off a yacht into the turquoise waters of the Aegean is her go-to, with pattern and prints also more often than not limited to a single colour, it’s always beautiful quality and timelessly stylish. (Check out our range of Melissa Odabash here).

If you are looking for swimwear that makes you smile when you wear it, or indeed have last season’s swimwear you want to make a return on through re-selling, do come and see us! To see all our swimwear pop into the shop or click here (remember we have new items arriving daily and we have a lot more in store).

Love

Christine x