Criss-cross straps and peekaboo panels, why summer’s hottest swimwear has made tanning taxing stuff

TrendsLifestyleEmma McCarthy

Some plump for Portugal. Others will only settle for the Seychelles. But while our destinations may differ, our holiday goals are often the same - to relax, gain a solid stash of Insta-brags and build up a tan the colour of Lyle’s Golden Syrup that lasts long after you’ve touched back down at Gatwick. 

Only those who are savvy to the intricacies of swimwear trends will know that when it comes to the latter, the goalposts have changed.

Thanks to a new wave of cut-out cossies, which sport so many peek-a-boo panels it seems unbefitting to call them one-pieces,

. And yet it seems that your sunbathing strategy may have to take a hit in the name of fashion, because these statement swimmers are far too good to keep in the shade.

Take Lisa Marie Fernandez’s popular Poppy maillot. Thanks to its triple bow-tie front and striking prints, the style stands out on even the most crowded strip. And the £350 price tag? A mere drop in the ocean when it’s weighed against Instagram likes.

Serious sun worshippers will also be pleased to hear that said bows are not just for decoration and can be untied while you’re catching rays. 

Mara Hoffman’s bold lattice swimsuits - which feature string-slashed panels which span from hip to bust - are also a hit with beach-bound peacocks, while the stunning embroidered lace one-piece from Aussie label Zimmermann is among the coolest options around when it comes to showcasing your style credentials on the sand. Even with the dappled torso tan. 

For those who prefer a bit more coverage with their cossie, there are numerous options to be found on the high street.

Those who love the simplicity of a black one-piece - but don’t want to run the risk of being a beach bore - will appreciate the slash-neck style from & Other Stories. Again, a prime culprit for leaving your chest stripier than a zebra but this can be easily concealed under one of this season’s Nineties-style halter-necks.

French Connection’s new swimwear offering - which lands this week - also includes a stunning string-back option to give you tan lines worth flashing in a backless sundress.

But our award for most imaginative tan-line potential goes to Urban Outfitters and its Out From Under swimsuit, which features hip-height cut-outs in the shape of a daisies. Now that’s something worth showing off.

ArticleWhy summer’s hottest swimwear has made tanning taxing stuffLisa Marie FernandezSwimwearbikiniPortugalSeychellesUrban OutfittersMara HoffmanInstagramZimmermannSummer’s hottest swimwear from criss-cross straps to peekaboo panels and tanning

Looking good on a lounger this summer means risking some rather dodgy tan lines

Criss-cross straps and peekaboo panels, why summer’s hottest swimwear has made tanning taxing stuffGalleryPublishedMedium width1Tuesday, August 16, 2016 - 10:55OnEnable video endboarddefault