You know what it's like: you read all those gorgeously shot magazine features about the new trends in swimwear ages ago and have dutifully pulled out pages to save for later (for when you're friends have actually got their gear together and booked a holiday) and you start thinking about the fact you're going to be near-naked pretty soon. But by then, you've lost the scrumpled-up page (you're always looking for spare paper to chuck your gum away in) and are clueless about beachwear.
Which is why you're in a panic. Am I right? (We're hoping this isn't just us...)
So from chic one-pieces (swathing your abs is definitely as cool as a bikini can get these days) to the essential accoutrements such as SUNCREAM (we do not like burn, please apply SPF accordingly) sandals and sunglasses, we've sorted it for you.
Primaries
Go bold, or go home. Wildfox's 'Hello' swimmer will bring all the boys to your yard. Think of it as a modern take on Pammy's Baywatch suit.
Charlie Classic One-PIC Swimsuit, £105 by Wildfox at ASOS; Body Cream SF40, £20 by Clinique; 3447 Round Metal Sunglasses, £169 Ray-Ban at Sunglasses Shop; Jaws by Peter Benchley £5.99 Waterstones
Monochrome
Icy monochrome tones don't have to be minimalist. This Made by Dawn bikini is ribbed and ruched, with delicately frilled straps. The bottoms are teeny – just how the Brazilians like it (for some tanned bum action). Offset with some outré sunglasses from the ever-inventive Karl Lagerfeld.
Petal Textured Stripe Bikini Top, £85, and Petal Textured Stripe Bikini Briefs, £78, both Made by Dawn at Net-a-Porter; Lost Weekend Sunglasses, £60, Craig & Karl for Le Specs sunglasses at Le Specs and City Block Sheer SPF 25 by Clinique
Metallic Pastels
Don't like your upper arms? & Other Stories has the answer, with its capped bikini top. A pastel suit riffs on a pair of chunky gold sandals – like a sort of Gladiator pastels. If you get where we're going with that.
Sporty
If being at the pool is an 'activity' for you and you take your breaststroke quite seriously, then may we suggest the doyenne of sports luxe – Stella McCartney. Pay homage to her range for Adidas with the ubiquotous Adilettes.
Swim Cut-Out Bikini Top, £22.50, and Swim High-Rise Bikini Briefs, £20, both Adidas by Stella McCartney at Net-A-Porter; Adilette Slides, £13 Adidas; Plain Moulded Swim Cap, £5, and Futura One Goggles, £10, both by Speedo at JD Sports.
Print Clash
You're not into neon, but monochrome is too pared back – so what do you do? You go for a quietly patterned, plunging swimsuit with some camo slip ons. These Topshop Poolslides provide our favourite rendition of camo we've seen this summer.
Swimsuit, £30 & Other Stories (sold out – find similar here Illustrated Pareo); Swash and Frizz Leather Poolslides, £38, by Topshop.
**Photographer: Luke & Nik; ****Art Direction: Anna Jay; ****Stylist: Grace Joel; **Set Design: Sally Finnigan
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.