As with regular fashion labels, we know you appreciate a leg up when it comes to new and emerging swimwear brands. To get you ready for sun-filled days at the beach and weekends poolside, we’ve assembled a list of 13 brands with super-stylish offerings, from newly launched names to those expanding into swimwear for the first time. Whether your jam is a minimal one-piece, a retro bikini or a sexy cutout style, these fashion-forward lines suit a range of styles (see what we did there?) as well as a range of price points. We have a feeling you’ll become obsessed with these collections.
Swim Season
Derek Lam 10 Crosby
We love Derek Lam's contemporary line for trend-forward pieces at a more affordable price point. This week, the label has launched a swim collection, featuring 20 styles between $127 and $315. From feminine to sporty, the debut assortment of bikinis, one-pieces and cover-ups are inspired by Italian architecture and 1960s silhouettes. The result is a mélange of graphic and floral prints and bold and neutral colors.
Les Girls Les Boys
Launched in September 2017, "bed to street" label Les Girls Les Boys is now rolling out a swimwear collection. Pieces are designed to be worn on the beach, by the pool and into the evening with a signature minimalist aesthetic. Key styles include sporty silhouettes, '70s-style stripes and waterproof velvet (cool!) with prices between $60 and $145.
J.Crew Playa
J.Crew is a go-to for an assortment of swimwear. This season marks the debut of J.Crew Playa, a sub-label offering 20 fun, fresh and slightly sexier silhouettes starting at $22.50. Bright bikinis and cutout one-pieces are the crux of the colorful, mix-and-match aesthetic we all know and love from the brand.
Flagpole
Founded by friends Megan and Jaime in 2013 (fun fact: They met in high school), Flagpole is a luxury swimwear label designed for an active lifestyle. Combining beach life with city style and using the highest quality Italian fabrics, each piece is created with artisan tailors in New York City, with vibrant color-block designs and sporty silhouettes as the label's signatures.
Lively
Founded by Victoria's Secret alum Michelle Cordeiro Grant less than two years ago, Lively champions women of all body shapes and sizes (the brand offers 26 different sizes!), coining the term "leisurée." Lingerie, activewear and swimwear are made from high-quality materials in the brand's own factory (to control quality) and designed with high style and comfort in mind. Easy swimwear silhouettes in bright hues and poppy prints encapsulate the essence of this feel-good label.
Miné Mediterranean
Designed by half-Turkish sisters Sibel and Selina, Miné Mediterranean launched in the late summer of 2017, offering perfect-fitting minimalist swimwear. Modernizing timeless classics, one-pieces and bikinis are simple and sophisticated, made from consciously selected luxury materials and perfected with sculpting technology for an incredibly flattering fit.
Mei L'ange
Designer Eefje Sarah Dierickx created Mei L'ange for the modern woman. Made from extraordinarily soft and fine premium fabrics, the New York-based swimwear line offers a medley of contemporary design elements like abstract motifs, edgy hardware and unique color blocking to create a bold statement without sacrificing comfort. The retro-style silhouettes appear feminine and on-trend for the season.
Caroline Constas
We've had a love affair with this New York-based Canadian designer for some time—her ultra-feminine blouses, dresses and skirts are what warm-weather wardrobe dreams are made of. For the resort 2018 season, Caroline expanded into swimwear for the first time with the debut of Caroline Constas Mer. Simple shapes and frilled accents are done in a range from rainbow-hued stripes to graphic prints to polka dots for a swimwear collection that’s just as vibrant as her ready-to-wear designs.
Lonely
New Zealand brand Lonely stands for body positivity and diversity, freedom of expression and celebrates the strength and individuality of women. The brand's selection of swim boasts a simple retro aesthetic (a prominent theme this season) with one-pieces and bikinis coming in custom fabrics and patterns from muted solids to shimmering Lurex to gingham. Another reason to love this label: Lonely eschews conventional marketing, bringing its collections to life via the Lonely Girls Project, a journal featuring women around the world from all walks of life captured wearing Lonely in their way.
Summersalt
Launched in the spring of 2017, Summersalt is a direct-to-consumer swimwear brand made from recycled materials with a sleek aesthetic. Focusing on impeccable fit and quality, each style is made for movement (designs were tested on Olympians!) and offers UPF 50+ protection that can stand up to sand, sweat and chlorine. The brand also offers a risk-free try-on model—you can choose six mix-and-match pieces and only pay for the styles you keep. Oh, and everything is $95 or less.
Sidway
Sidway is a sleek, feminine and "gorgeous as hell" swimwear brand launched in January 2017 by Sarah Sidway Godshaw (she's a swimwear design veteran who notably launched Nasty Gal's collection). With a '90s vibe, one- and two-piece suits are distinct and made to mold to your body—lustrous jersey knit with a high spandex content, premium full-flex rubber in the hems and clean finished seams ensure a flawless look and fit. We're fanatic over the new polka dot print à la Pretty Woman.
Jade Swim
Minimal swimwear fans will love Jade Swim, founded by fashion editor and stylist Brittany Kozerski and launched for the resort 2017 season. One- and two-piece silhouettes appear deceptively simple but come with an edge through innovative shapes and intricate design details. Whether in a bright color, jewel tone or neutral shade, each suit is extremely figure-flattering—the line is made from luxe Italian sustainable techno fabric with shape retention technology to smooth and sculpt while also offering UV protection and resistance to chlorine, suntan lotions and oils.
Rebecca Minkoff
Rebecca Minkoff is another designer expanding into swimwear for spring 2018. Suited for a coastal or city aesthetic, choose from one- and two-piece suits in playful prints, minimal solids or with frilled accents. All are feminine and modern, priced from $60 to $145.
