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6 athletic swimsuits and bikinis we’re LOVING this summer

It’s National Bikini Day and what better way to celebrate than with our choice of athletic swimsuits and bikinis that will flatter your figure but won’t fall down mid-swim? 

Holiday season has rolled around again (woo!) and we’re scouring the shops for that new swimsuit or bikini that will transform your trip abroad. If you’re anything like us, it isn’t enough to find a costume that is going to look pretty next to the pool. Here at Healthista, we’re all about diving in. But that doesn’t mean we want to compromise on style. We’re not too picky – we’re not looking for a swimming costume we can race in the Olympics in. We just want to feel confident that our gorgeous one or two-piece isn’t going to fall down, go see through or let through a little nip-slip mid-swim, however active we get, no matter what we’re doing.

So, we took a whole load of swimming costumes for a road (okay sorry pool) test to find out which ones not only made us feel great in the looks department but wouldn’t let us down in the lanes.

Best for celebrity cool: Heidi Klein bb Aqua/Plum Wide Bandeau Bikini

London boutique and online luxury one-stop holiday shop is home to some seriously glamorous beachwear with an equally glam celeb clientele. Celebs from Kate Moss to Olivia Palermo and Sienna Miller have been spotted sporting the swimwear. And it’s easy to see why when you scroll through both the brand’s website and carefully curated Instagram feed.

The bandeau bikini set with the Healthista stamp of approval is a matching set from the brand’s bb collection. The new capsule collection offers a set of reversible pieces with sleek lining, ribboned flat lining and subtle branding. The pieces are made in a velvety soft Italian fabric and the designs are the epitome of modern minimalist cool.

heidi klein swimming costume, Fashionable AND Functional - the 6 pieces of fitness swimwear we LOVE by healthista

Tester says

I am so in love with this bikini. I felt so glamorous in it but I swam and swam in both the sea and the pool and it literally required no pulling out from my butt cheeks (I know that’s gross but you know how annoying that is, right?) or hiking up around my boobs. It also looks incredible, sucks you in without digging into your body. Once on, it stays put, whatever you’re doing.

Despite the light blue colour, it didn’t go see- through at all. Another great feature (and it should have many at that price) is that it’s reversible, so you can wear a brown with blue trimmings version too.

Heidi Klein bb Aqua/Plum Wide Bandeau Bikini is available for £130 from Selfridges here

Best for the sensible swimmer: Speedo Sculpture AquaJewel Swimsuit

We couldn’t do a swimwear round up and not include Speedo. Known more for their sporty swimwear style, the hot pink of the Speedo Sculpture AquaJewel Swimsuit caught our eye, drawing from the 80s trends that are still claiming a place in the fashion world this summer.

The vibrant pink panel of this swimming costume draws the eye and the black side panels create a contrast which narrows your waistband for a slimming effect. The costume has hidden bust support, tummy control and all-over body shaping fabric. Speedo prides themselves on the long-lasting Lycra that they use in their swimming costumes – which means you shouldn’t get a saggy, fading costume after a few swims.

speedo swimming costume, Fashionable AND Functional - the 6 pieces of fitness swimwear we LOVE by healthista

Tester says

When I think of Speedo my mind usually springs to athletic style plain sporty swimming costumes. The colour blocking and low back of this costume make it a real fashion piece but Speedo doesn’t compromise on functionality. This is the kind of swimming costume you can wear to the local leisure centre during your health-kick on the lead up to your holiday and then you can pack it in your suitcase to whip out poolside as well – it’s a really great piece for lane swimming.

I loved the black compression fabric on this costume that really hugged me in around the middle. Plus, adjustable straps meant a comfortable fit. My only complaint was that there was a little too much fabric for my smaller bust, so I would suggest this costume for anyone with a medium cup size. But even so, the fabric stayed perfectly in place throughout my swim – I felt comfy and well covered (plus I’m a sucker for pink).

Speedo Sculpture AquaJewel Swimsuit is available for £52 from Speedo here. 

Best for pool-side glamour: Alexandra Miro Linda One Piece

This is the first collection from Instagram-star-come-businesswoman, Alexandra Miro and it’s safe to say, here at Healthista we’re a little bit in love with this ultra glam collection. Apparent, y Miro is on a quest to create the ultimate one piece and so her collection is made up of costumes that are made to fit each body type, from a fuller figure to a more athletic body shape. Signature elements that unify the collection include a low sweeping back and minimal coverage on the derriere. The bold addition of a high cut on the bum is supposed to result in a lifted, pert derriere. Plus each piece in the collection has padded cups that offer support and structure to the bust.

The design of the Linda is understated and reminiscent of the classic swimsuit shapes of the 80’s and early 90’s, with it’s alluring V-neck front cut.

AlexandraMiro_LINDA RED, Fashionable AND Functional - the 6 pieces of fitness swimwear we LOVE by healthista

Tester says

Considering how sexy it is, I was pleasantly surprised at how well this costume stayed in place. I went on a spa weekend away and the costume served me well during my granny swims up and down the lanes, plus I felt seriously glam jumping out of the pool and lounging in it on a sunbed.

The high front cut elongated my short legs and the padding in the bra meant there was no sign of nipples showing through the fabric (always a worry). My favourite part of this costume was the back detail – so pretty. And while I maybe wouldn’t suggest this costume for hardcore swimming it holds you in enough to work as a functional and fashionable holiday piece – just be careful of the funny tan lines!

The Alexandra Miro Linda One Piece is available for £129 from Alexandra Miro

Best for being photo-ready: Sweaty Betty Wave Break Bikini Top and Bottoms 

Sweaty Betty promise you’ll look like a hot sun of a beach in this bright bikini. Sweaty Betty’s new range includes cactus prints, bum-sculpting leggings reflecting the smoky Souks and loose knits that wouldn’t look out of place in a Riad. But this two piece set is a stand-out piece in their collection. 

And what would some Sweaty Betty kit be without some notoriously technical fabric – the brief cut top and bottoms are made from durable chlorine resistant fabric that offers UV protection of 50+. And much like their activewear, the fabric is fast-drying (which makes for a quick and easy transition from sea to sand) and come with an adjustable drawcord to make sure that everything stays in place.

Sweaty Betty cut out costume, Fashionable AND Functional - the 6 pieces of fitness swimwear we LOVE by healthista

Tester says

For a strappy bikini, this two piece from Sweaty Betty was surprisingly brilliant at staying in place. I loved the open racer style back and geometric print of this set. the shape was flattering and I will definitely be packing it on my next pool-side holiday.

I was a huge fan of how fast the fabric dried (and also how the mint green set off my tan).

The Sweaty Betty Wave Break Bikini Top is available for £45 from Sweaty Betty here.

The Sweaty Betty Wave Break Bikini Bottoms are available for £40 from Sweaty Betty here.

Best for holiday water sports: Glidesoul Signature Collection Round Neck One Piece

80s fashion seems to be the theme of the moment and swimwear brand Glidesoul is well and truly on board. Their signature collection is inspired by the vibrant neon colours that dominated the decade. The costume we picked out is made from Neoprene fabric (the rubbery type of fabric that you usually see on a wetsuit). It’s great for holiday time because it’s durable in the sea and super fast drying and flexible.

GlideSoul says that the fabric also helps to sculpt your body and support it – making it the perfect costume to wear every day both in and out of the water. The company describes their clothes as waterwear and explain that they wanted to create clothing that you can wear in the water that breaks the monotony of a wetsuit – the ideal costume for those holiday water sports.

glidesoul swimming costume, Fashionable AND Functional - the 6 pieces of fitness swimwear we LOVE by healthista

Tester says

As I pulled myself into this tight fitting scuba-style costume, I was a little apprehensive. But as soon as I’d managed to pull the piece on I was made-up. This piece is super figure-hugging and flattering and sucked me in, in all the right places.

It was obvious that the no-nonsense fabric would survive the tug of rough sea, sand and rocks but the mesh side panels added a little bit of glamour to the all-in-one.

Glidesoul Signature Collection Round Neck One Piece is available for £89 from GlideSoul here.

Best for the British beach: Finisterre True North Marea One Piece

Not travelling abroad this year? We’ve got you. Born out of the needs of hardy British surfers, Finisterre is a brand that prides itself on the functionality and sustainability of their designs. Their swimwear is made to be used in the sea and stays true to their understated seaside heritage feel.

Made with sustainably sourced lycra, the Marea One Piece is made from stretchy swim fabric that Finisterre say is super resistant to chlorine, suntan creams and oils – perfect for any messy sunbathers. It provides a sun block and Finisterre add that it won’t change shape or colour in sea water or swimming pools.

finisterre costume, Fashionable AND Functional - the 6 pieces of fitness swimwear we LOVE by healthista

Tester says

I don’t often feel great in a swimming costume but this one from Finisterre I loved. It covered me up enough so that I didn’t feel self-conscious but the high cut leg and cut-out back still made me feel a little bit more glam than I would in a normal athletic costume. Something to be mindful of is that Finisterre costumes are quite a small fit at first I was worried I wouldn’t squeeze in but the costume was a great fit for my small top half (I often find that costumes fit awkwardly on my shoulders and chest).

I felt confident in this costume both while going for a swim AND while I was tanning it up by the side of the pool and dried off nice and quickly in the sun. The colours and zip detail on the front of the costume make for a cute and trendy piece of sailor-esque swimwear.

Finisterre True North Marea One Piece is available for £80 from Finisterre here. 

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