Going on Holiday Is My Favourite Hobby—8 Swimsuit Brands I Always Pack
In the market for a new one-piece? These high-street, designer and lesser-known brands never miss.
If I was asked the dreaded "what are your favourite hobbies?" question during a job interview, "travelling" would be my top answer. I don't know about you, but having fun adventures to look forward to is key. Be it the Caribbean (the dream), a European adventure or a trip to explore the UK coast, I'm happiest by the sea. So of course my favourite season, and outfits, are all things summer adjacent. Over the years I've gone from being a serial over-packer, to someone who has a small edit of pieces that always come on a hot-weather trip, and a refined edit of swimwear always goes in to my suitcase first.
While team Who What Wear UK has already crowned the best bikini brands this summer, I want to show you the one pieces that never fail to make me feel my most confident. And of course, some of them are tapping into key swimwear trends already dominating the season. Whether it's Zimmermann's bow-detail styles, unlikely colour combinations at & Other Stories or the collaboration on every fashion person's radar (hello, Hunza G x Burberry) these are the 8 swimsuit brands that I, a holiday-obsessed fashion editor, doesn't go on a trip without.
The 9 Best Swimsuit Brands I Always Rate
1. Away That Day
Style Notes: I own the exact Away That Day swimsuit that Anisha is wearing, and for the last two years, it has been the one I wear every time I want to feel my absolute best. Made by women, for women, the London-label never fails to deliver on cinching silhouettes and smooth lines across its swim and resortwear offering.
Shop Away that Day:
2. Monday Swimwear
Style Notes: I've only recently tried Monday Swimwear, and at once, I was hooked. Once you figure out the sizing (it measures by letters, luckily there's a handy size guide online) you'll be able to find the dream fit. I love that each texture or print created by the Aussie label comes in a whole range of different swim silhouettes, colours and co-ordinating pieces.
Shop Monday:
3. & Other Stories
Style Notes: When it comes to high street swimsuits there's few that I, and most other fashion people, rate more than & Other Stories. It's the attention-to-detail, prints and statement-making necklines that always get my attention. This summer, I'll be going for brown and blue colour pairings or sunshine gingham. The only downside? They have a habit of selling out faster than most brands.
Shop & Other Stories:
4. Hunza G
Style Notes: Pretty sure I don't need to tell anyone about the joys of Hunza G. If you've tried the 'one size fits all' shirred swim then you'll know how 1) comfy they are, and 2) how they never fail to make you look and feel effortlessly put together. Something that not all swimwear brands have managed to do. If it isn't the Burberry collaboration you'll want this summer, it's the new beaded iterations.
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5. Eres
Style Notes: Founded in the '60s, French fashion label Eres has had a good few decades to secure themselves as one of the chicest swimwear brands of all time. And for 2026, this still stands. With the premium quality you would expect from a Parisian designer, there's no expense spared when it comes to styles you'll wear on heavy rotation for years to come, and I would add any of these ones below to my forever one piece edit.
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6. Youswim
Style Notes: Youswim creates fuss-free minimalist swimsuits that'll go the distance; you know, the suits you'll pack for every destination and the one you'll want to buy in multiple colours. Luckily, each one of its 11 designs is made in around 12 colours, in two sizes, designed to be stretchy and suit UK sizes 6-16 and 18-28.
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7. M&S
Style Notes: I tried the M&S chocolate cookie cup this week and can confirm it's 10/10. But we're not here to talk about the picky bits, all eyes are on the new swimwear drop. The high street brand always manages to get the technical elements right, as well as the aesthetic, of course. From cup size one pieces (up to GG) to tummy control, the designs just always hit different.
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8. Zimmermann
Style Notes: Sometimes the best swimsuits are the ones that have the power to command attention. From playful floral prints to bow details and cut-outs that add instant interest, Australian label Zimmermann never misses with its swimwear collection—or clothes, bags and shoes, for that matter.
Shop the Look:
Harriet Davey is a freelance fashion editor who has been part of Who What Wear's extended team since 2017. She previously worked in print at Look magazine and has since worked across print, digital and social for many other titles, including British Vogue, Stylist, Grazia, Refinery29 and Marie Claire. Also a stylist, Harriet has had the pleasure of producing cover shoots and editorials along with commercial shoots for brands including Boux Avenue, Watches of Switzerland, Benefit Cosmetics and Revolution. To add to this, Harriet also works in live TV styling for ITV’s This Morning.