11 Australian swim labels to make a splash in this summer

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Put it down to being girt by sea, or some naturally ingrained affinity to the sun, or even just the essentially Australian penchant for forgoing shoes, wherever possible—we’re convinced that the best swimwear is designed here at home. Just look around at the labels that have found international acolytes while meeting the high standards of the year-round beach-going local set: from the nostalgic, ’70s-inspired ditzy floral prints of Sir. spotted on Kendall Jenner to the ultra-clean lines of Matteau adored by Phoebe Tonkin, Australian swimwear labels are the choices du jour  for the it-girls of the day. 
Here, we’ve rounded up the best Aussie swimwear labels that have made their mark, and newcomers that are diving headlong into the scene. From classic-cut crops, to the barely-there string bikinis, to retro-inspired suits, look no further for your summer needs.
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Vogue’s top picks
Best minimalist swimwear brand: Matteau
Best designer swimwear brand: Christopher Esber
Best affordable swimwear brand: Form and Fold
The best Australian swimwear brands on the market
Peony
Blooming with florals and delicate detailing, Peony makes swimwear for the modern romantic. Play up the pretty with its range of balconette bikinis, ruched one pieces and feminine, seer-sucker crops. A sunlit beach awaits. 

Shop now at Net-a-Porter
Christopher Esber
For the first time, this notable Australian designer graced us with a swim collection in 2021, and it’s Esber through and through: colour-block, geometric bikinis in tangerine and lime speak to his trademark youthful, edgy sensibility, with keyhole cut-outs and criss-cross straps for understated allure. 

Christopher Esber
Lé Buns
Known for its butter-soft intimates, Melbourne-based label Lé Buns has also launched a foray into high-quality swimwear. Almost all its pieces are versatile and reversible: whether you’d rather lay poolside in a Sophia Loren-style halter, or channel Y2K with a flossy number, these shape-shifting pieces will cater to your whims. 

Shop now at Asos
Rebecca Vallance
Australian designer Rebecca Vallance has taken inspiration from the Italian coastline for her first swim collection, Euforia. Bold florals and vintage, psychedelic prints speak to our collective yearning to be far, far away. 

Shop now at Rebecca Vallance
Palm Swimwear
Sustainability is the name of the game at Palm Swimwear. Made in small, made-to-order batches out of recycled Italian Econyl fibres, the local swimwear label’s pieces have retro inflections with a modern edge: think bustier-cut tops and high waists, rendered in the colours of the moment, from dusty sage to lilac to electric blue. 

Shop now at FWRD
Bondi Born
Merging sustainability with classic, supportive cuts, Bondi Born draws from its namesake beachside suburb’s minimalist attitude to beauty, and infuses it with understated elegance. Think square-neck bikinis, sleek one-pieces and weight linen coverups.  

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Form and Fold
This local label’s gaze is trained on the woman with a D+ cup.Tired of wearing ill-fitting swimwear all heir lives, Melbourne friends Carly Warson and Stephanie Korn set out to create pieces with the same focus on construction and design as lingerie. Years of research on, and they’ve created a swim crop that doesn’t insist on flattening larger busts down, but gives them the space to experiment with clean, modern silhouettes.

Shop now at The Iconic
Bond-Eye
The sandy shores of Bondi Beach are a muse to many on this list, Bond-Eye being among them. Made from stretchy, tubular crinkle knit fabric, the label’s dynamic, ’80s-inspired cuts come in bold colours as well as understated, tonal hues: chocolate brown, forest green, mint and taupe sit alongside a multi-strapped fuchsia number and a Baywatch-style bombshell red one-piece. Whatever your poison, you’re likely to find it here. 

Shop now at The Iconic
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Sir.
Sir the Label has always done modern femininity with ease, and the and ditzy, ’70s-inspired florals splashed over its one-pieces and bikinis are no different. Romantic details add intrigue to sleek silhouettes, surfacing in the form of a bow, a spattering of polka dots, or a panelled bustier, lending structure and retro flair to a one piece.

Shop now at Sir.
Matteau
From the first flushes of spring to high summer, Matteau makes feel-good swimwear that suits any occasion, at any time. The label pushes up against the trend cycle, preferring to make timeless, minimalist pieces that reflect a simple style ethos. Monochrome, clean cuts focus on enhancing the wearer’s confidence.

Shop now at Net-a-Porter
Liandra Swim
Founded by Liandra Gaykamangu, this label has amassed a following not only for its bold, floral motifs, inspired by the desert flora of Arnhem Land, but also for the way its pieces tell stories through design. The eco-conscious brand is gaining steady momentum—it first showed at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week in 2021 as part of the First Nations Fashion Design showcase and has recently partnered with David Jones.

Shop now at Liandra Swim
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How to buy swimwear online
“Know what works for your body shape and try to find similar shapes that you know work for you. Again, be prepared to try a few style options or sizes until you find the perfect fit,” says designer Nicole Banning of buying swimwear online.
“Women’s bodies are all so different, what works on one woman won’t necessarily work on another,” she adds. “Always go for the style that enhances your form, even if it’s not the style you first had your heart set on. If you feel great, you’ll look great. Make sure you feel comfortable and confident so that you can enjoy yourself at the beach rather that worry about your swimsuit.”
As for what to steer clear of, Banning shares “personally I avoid padding and prefer a natural look. For some women padding is a security blanket, but often the right structure and support can give them the shape they’re after (even for an A cup).”
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