As an Australian expat living in London, there are a few things that I hold dear to my heart while living abroad. The ricotta pancakes at Sydney-inspired restaurant Granger & Co, the endless stream of Australian designers like DISSH and Faithfull stocked at department stores like Selfridges and Harvey Nichols and, most importantly, Brits’ penchant for the best Australian swimwear brands.
While the weather here never reaches the scorching temperatures that it does back home, any signs of blue skies and a balmy breeze are all it takes to slip into your bikini. Of course, the beaches of Brighton or Cornwall are always home to a brave few running into near-frozen waters. But even in the cities, far from the water’s tranquil edges, parks are overflowing with the chic crinkling of Hunza G or the sweet yet sexy designs of Malibu-founded brand Frankie’s Bikinis.
Now that cossie season—which, to the uninitiated, is the Australian slang term for your bathing suit—has officially landed, I feel like it’s my duty to represent down under and introduce you to the plethora of stylish (and mostly sustainable!) swimwear brands around.
As Who What Wear UK contributor, Scottish fashion and lifestyle writer and editor Bébhinn Campbell, explains, “I’ve noticed that many of my favourite one and two-pieces have something in common: They’re all Australian.” And it makes sense why Australians are world leaders when it comes to beach attire.
With the majority of the population living within a stone’s throw of the coastline, we know a thing or two about dressing for hot days, sandy shores and crashing waves. “There’s an effortless confidence that comes with Australian swimwear — it’s in our DNA,” says Bianca Bennetts, the owner and CEO of Byron Bay-based swimwear brand, Fae. “We grow up in bikinis, so there’s a deep, almost intuitive understanding of fit, function, and feeling”.
This is something With Jéan, the celebrity-adored and resort-infused ready-to-wear label that began on the Gold Coast, echoes. Speaking with founders Sami Lorking-Tanner and Evangeline Titilas from their boutique in New York, the Queenslanders say that swimwear is “just part of who we are”.
“We basically live in bikinis for half of the year, so it’s not just about looking good, it has to hold up to real life. There’s this effortless, no-fuss vibe that I think people love and resonate.”
It doesn’t take an expert to see how Australians’ know-how translates in real life. As Campbell adds, “the common theme seems to be an attention to fit that's sorely missing from regular high-street bikinis.” “No awkward side boob or unflattering briefs here. If you think about it, a swimsuit should hug the body like a second skin, so fit is a pretty important thing to get right,” she continues. This is something Faithfull the Brand’s co-founder and creative director, Helle Them-Enger, prioritises.
“It’s about finding the right shape that is both supportive and wearable. It’s the swimwear that you can wear from your early morning dip all the way through the day and into the evening, throwing on a pareo or slip dress for drinks and dinner by sea,” she notes. “Swimwear is like a uniform. We wear it under our button-up shirts in the office after a morning dip, or it’s in our basket bags for a post-work sunset swim. We love to create designs that tie in with our ready-to-wear pieces—that can be styled with a matching cotton shirt short set or under a sheer maxi dress.”
Indeed, if you want a piece that can last seasons and is designed with integrity, Australian swimwear brands are the ones to shop. Ahead, the best Australian swimwear brands to slip into.
The 15 Best Australian Swimwear Brands to Shop for Summer 2026
- The Best Overall Australian Swimwear Brand: Zimmermann
- The Best Luxury Australian Swimwear Brand: Faithfull The Label
- The Best Australian Swimwear Brand for Bikinis: Sommer Swim
- The Best Sustainable Australian Swimwear Brand: Cleonie
- The Best Australian Swimwear Brand for Big Bust: Form and Fold
1. With Jéan
Style Notes: What do the funnel neck jackets worn by Hailey Bieber and Kaia Gerber, halterneck tops adored by Dua Lipa and Emily Ratajkowski and bikinis loved by Bella Hadid all have in common? They're all from With Jéan, of course. Hailing from the beachside suburb of Burleigh Heads, the brand ensures its swimwear is designed for all occasions and environments. "There’s something special about seeing people in our bikinis from New York rooftops to Mediterranean beaches," the Lorking-Tanner and Titilas explain. "I’m doing housework in a bikini, swimwear is just part of everyday life," they add, noting that this is a reason for why they just "get it".
"With Jéan has always leaned into those playful prints and flirty designs, so bringing that into swim just made sense. To be honest, swim was actually our original idea when we first dreamed up the brand, so it feels like a full-circle moment to finally be here and see it worn all over the world. It took off faster than we expected, especially after playing around with other categories, but I’m so glad it did."
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Pair with the matching polka-dot skirt for an incredibly relaxed set.
I adore these rosette motifs on this pair.
Spots are this season's most in-demand trend.
A delicate metallic that rivals the scintillating light on the top of the ocean.
2. Faithfull The Brand
"No one understands swimwear quite like Australians. There’s no age in which swimwear isn’t a core staple in your wardrobe, and with this comes a real understanding of fit, shape and style," explains Them-Enger.
"Being based out of Bali and Sydney, swimwear is like a uniform to us. We wear it under our button-up shirts in the office after a morning swim, or it’s in our basket bags for a post-work sunset swim. So we love to create designs that tie in with our ready-to-wear pieces—that can be styled with a matching cotton shirt short set or under a sheer maxi dress."
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The aquatic shade instantly takes me back to the early 2000s.
"These styles have been signature silhouettes for us throughout the years, and there’s a reason we always come back to these shapes, introducing them in new colours and prints," Them-Enger explains. "The underwire and wide adjustable straps provide support through the bust, while the side ties offer a custom fit through the hips."
This chocolate brown bikini is at the top of my wish list. There's something about the ruching of the 50s-inspired bra and tie-up that reminds me of old-school taffeta dresses. "We love to bring in nods to vintage references in both our ready-to-wear and swimwear," Them-Enger tells me.
Such a classic staple.
3. Cleonie
Style Notes: "Being by the beach is constant inspiration, the colours, the sunsets and the relaxed style always takes hold for each collection," Cleonie swimwear founder Kitty Scott, tells me. For her, being based on the NSW Central Coast is her biggest motivator and source of inspiration for designing each piece. "We are an island nation and spend a lot of the time near or immersed in the water—it's a quintessential way of life for most Aussies. With that, we know what feels good on our bodies, what to wear for a full day by the beach or by the pool," she adds. " I find myself coming back to the beaches to just be or swim, before designing anything new." This season, this modus operandi has manifested itself in two pieces with broderie anglaise flourishes or Y2K-inspired beading.
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This is the kind of piece you can wear to the pool before slipping into jeans and taking off for the evening...
The LBD of bikinis.
I've just ordered this style for my upcoming Greece holiday.
If there is one style that defines British taste, it's this.
4. Bydee
Style Notes: For 30-year-old Sydney-sider Dessy Hairis, the CEO and creative director of Bydee, owning and operating an Australian swimwear brand is like a rite of passage. She describes how she was allowed to choose one "special" swimsuit each summer that she would cherish each season, but when overseas adventures called, she realised that there were so many more global motifs that she could introduce to the landscape. "At Bydee, we bring that to life through our attention to detail, from custom prints to signature hardware and hand-finished touches. We’re not driven by trends, but by creating timeless pieces that inspire our community of Bydee babes to make memories and feel amazing doing it."
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The velvet detail and red roses make this quite an elegantly flirty piece.
What can I say, I just simply adore this print.
The delicacy of these prints will make you stand out along the shore.
Be sun smart and invest in a beautiful dress, too.
5. Asta Resort
Style Notes: There's not an It Girl who doesn't love Asta Resort. From Hailey Bieber to Alix Earle, this brand is revered for how it spins metallic weave into disco-inspired knitwear, chic swimwear and dainty dresses. When asked to describe the brand in three words, Asta Resort's founder and creative director, Helena Ammitzboell, says "fun, nostalgic and sparkling. "[My co-founder and sister] Jasmine and I curate most of my wardrobe, other than Asta, from vintage. We have an interest in things from bygone times and using them to offer new ideas or inspirations. I also like to think of ASTA pieces as wearable memories, because our customer is normally wearing them to celebrations of some form or another. Sparkling should be another descriptor—the paillettes and hand beading work is a distinctive part of our brand."
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This forest hue is ripe for a comeback.
This gilded motif is an Asta signature.
Accessorise this with a limoncello spritz.
You've heard it here first—vintage-inspired swimwear is the chicest thing you could invest in.
6. Fae
Style Notes: According to Bennetts, Fae is defined by an attitude of empowerment. " I remember how confident I felt the first time I wore a bikini that fit just right—and that feeling has stuck with me. It’s exactly what I want every woman to feel when she wears Fae," she says. As she says, Fae is shaped by being close by the ocean, something really unique to Australian designers. "There’s a raw beauty and simplicity to coastal living that’s at the heart of the brand. Our designs are sensual, sun-drenched, and made for real movement — whether you’re heading straight from the beach to the bar."
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This print is a sleek, sexier version of an animal print.
There's a surprising amount of coverage and support for a cut as sensual as this.
This has a Hervé Léger energy.
A very '80s cut.
7. Fella
Style Notes: One Paddington boutique and two extremely coveted collaborations with local brands Maggie Marilyn and Commas later, Fella has certainly established itself as a brand to know. Understated and truly minimalist, the brand is unique in its use of a signature textured cloth has become a cult figure in its own right. This indulgent weave smooths and supports and, when rendered in high-octane colours and nostalgic prints, makes it a fabric you can't help but return to each summer.
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Stone detailing is such a premium accent.
I love a tie-up top.
Told you polka-dots was in.
How beautiful is this shade?
8. Triangl
Style Notes: One of the original viral Australian swimwear brands, Triangl is a swimwear brand that's designs transcend its appellation. If you don't know the label, you'll instantly recognise the blocky and fluorescent neoprene shapes that dominated the early 2010s. At the height of its fame, the brand was selling upward of 1000 bikinis a day. Now, the brand has extended into a range of sets and separates made from innovative fabrics like velvet and crochet.
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The cutouts are such a seductive touch.
Terry towelling is such an innovative swimwear material—simply rinse, ring out and dry.
Hacienda is such a comeback trend.
The iconic neoprene fabric from the 2010s is coming back.
9. Sommer Swim
Style Notes: Unapologetically sexy and inspired by the swimsuits supermodels of the early 2000s wore, Sommer Swim is glamorous, glitzy and sleek. From zebra print bikinis the colour of Arizona iced tea bottles to beaded sarongs in the pattern of marine life, these are pieces you'd easily find in a young Gisele Bündchen's holiday wardrobe.
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Sequins are appearing in so many collections this season.
This cut is so nostalgic.
Just so elegant.
The perfect coverup doesn't exist—
10. Peony
Style Notes: With colourful collections featuring uplifting prints and romantic details, Peony's pieces wholeheartedly embody the spirit of summer. The label identifies as vintage-inspired—an aesthetic that shines through its faded floral bikinis—but there's also something distinctly modern about it. This season, expect monokini-inspired pieces that fit right in with summer 2026's biggest trends.
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This print reminds me of a print you'd find on a gorgeous jacquard pillow case in a chateau in the French countryside.
A fashion stylist once told me, "the cheekier the cut, the better you look," and I'd tend to agree with her. Case in point, these bottoms here.
With a strawberry and cream colourway, could it get more quintessentially British than this?
Made of recycled crepe that's designed to stretch with you.
11. SIR
Style Notes: If it seems like everyone you know owns a SIR swimsuit, it's for good reason. The selection below is just a sampling of how classic its collections feel. But that's not the only reason to consider a SIR design; if you're keen to protect the planet when making new swimwear purchases, you won't need to look further than this eco-conscious brand. The team collaborates with environmental non-profits in Australia and regularly donates samples and excess stock to Worn For Good, a charity with a mission to normalise circular fashion.
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This gorgeous stripe detail is so elegant.
I adore the stone accent on the straps.
I'd layer a white linen shirt over this piece.
What looks like quite a simple swimsuit at first glance is elevated by this eye-catching print.
12. Matteau
Style Notes: Founded by sisters and Queensland natives Ilona Hamer and Peta Heinsen, Matteau is a brand you’ve probably seen before (even if you don’t know it). The luxurious beachwear has sailed into closets worldwide, including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s—the model has showcased one of Matteau’s beautiful broderie anglaise dresses on her Instagram. If that wasn't enough to hook you, I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear the brand also takes sustainability very seriously, prioritising the use of organic and recycled materials.
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Chocolate brown is the colour of the season.
A style you can pair with your denim shorts and linen trousers.
These delicate briefs are made from recycled materials.
There's something so elegant about this cobalt blue one-piece.
13. Zimmermann
Style Notes: Most fashion devotees will have lusted after Zimmermann's voluminous floral dresses at one time or another—we sure have talked about them enough—but it's the brand's eye-catching swimwear that we're particularly taken with right now. Think unexpected cut-outs and tactile fabrications. The label has been going since the early '90s, helmed by sisters whose exquisite designs have been worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner and Kate Middleton. If it's good enough for that A-lister line-up, it's good enough for us.
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Channel your inner Brigitte Bardot with this gorgeous stripe print.
This stringy bikini set feels quite '70s-inspired thanks to the fun paisley and floral print.
Denim at the beach? Bella Hadid would approve.
You can never go wrong with all black.
14. Form and Fold
Style Notes: Minimalists, let me introduce you to Form and Fold. Not only is this the brand to turn to for more affordable and understated sets, but it was launched exclusively with larger-busted swimmers in mind. If you're anything between a D and G cup, you'll know how difficult it is to find comfortable and supportive swimwear. But thanks to design duo Carly Warson and Stephanie Korn, you can now dive into holiday fun worry-free, whatever your bust size. As the name suggests, form meets function in these thoughtfully constructed pieces, be it an underwired one-piece or a wire-free bikini top.
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These look comfy enough to lounge in all day.
You can't go wrong with a metallic one-piece.
This colour looks so beautiful on sand.
Supportive and stylish in equal measure.
15. Zulu & Zephyr
Style Notes: Zulu & Zephyr offers everything from balconette bikini bras to basic one-pieces, adorned with simple prints that will slot into any holiday wardrobe. Born beachside in 2012, the brand has cultivated a global legion of fans who rely on its knowledge of lasting materials and expert craftsmanship. The founders cite 1970s Australian fashion as its raison d'être, drawing from nostalgic colourways and patterns to make each collection stand out.
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An elevated version of the breton stripe.
I really appreciate the textural feel of this pair.
Perfect for those who want a bit more coverage.
For all your Blue Crush fantasies.
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At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.
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