The Idea Of Summer

The Perfect Bikini is a mostly phantom concept, or it used to be until the high street decided to embrace the high-waisted bottom. For years this item languished in the shape wear department, a running joke in Bridget Jones, but now the shops are rife with a rainbow of choices that aren’t just forgiving but totally make you feel like a glamorous 1950s movie star off-duty. Think Elizabeth Taylor in between husbands and having cocktails by the pool with Montgomery Clift and you’ve got a window into our souls. Going to the seaside isn’t done enough on this island but when you’ve got a little something like this red number from Topshop in your tote bag you’re probably going to be the girl in group who suggests visiting the coast every weekend.

We want this. We want it real bad.

For other brands that make you feel less like the girl who kicked the bikini-diet magazine features into the recycling and more like your fabulous, and comfortable in the near nude self, check out Seafolly and Norma Kamali.

Topshop’s Red Basic Longline Bikini

Jeanne Sutton @jeannedesutun