Swimsuit season is almost upon us, which probably means one of two things; whether it’s pulling out a trusty old cossie from the back of your closet and trying to pretend you don’t mind having worn it four summers in a row.
Or, swallow, wandering down the High Street in search of something flattering that won’t make you want to reach for your towel as soon as you get out of the pool.
Because as we get older, this can start to feel like an impossible task: sizes tend to be inconsistent, stores are flooded with flimsy cut-out designs suited for twenty-something Instagram influencers rather than mere mortals, and the most functional pieces They are usually simple or simple. unkempt.
That’s why many middle-aged women have long relied on only a shrinking number of stores to buy their swimwear, such as Boden, Marks & Spencer and Next.
This year, however, our swimsuit options have received a glorious new addition. John Lewis has given its swim range a stylish overhaul, changing 75 per cent of its offering with the aim of appealing to a wider audience of women of any age who want to feel supported and effortlessly stylish.
Coral swimsuit, £33.60; earrings, £16, accessorize.com All swimwear johnlewis.com unless otherwise stated
Bikini top, £24 and bottoms, £14.40, earrings, £32, boden. co.uk
Palm Print Roll Neck Swimsuit, £32
According to Mark Finerty, head of swimwear design at the store, this has meant making multiple adjustments to give the swimsuits and bikinis the best possible fit and an ever-increasing style choice, with 90 pieces on offer.
Fear not, you’ll still find the trusty classic black swimsuit, but now it’s joined by a daring one-shoulder cropped version, £36 (already a bestseller).
All plain fabrics are sustainable and there is a focus on breathable material, including a new crochet design with hidden support inside for flattering.
The range is full of covetable, expensive-looking but affordable pieces across all its brands (Anyday, John Lewis and And/Or).
As well as swimsuits, there’s also a tempting new range of beachwear, including an oversized linen shirt, £36, to wear poolside.
More designs now feature adjustable straps; It’s a small detail, but the option to give you an extra hook if needed is transformative.
Don’t feel the need to give up ice cream either; Cleverly placed ruching offers a flattering look to conceal tummies, like this coral one-piece jumpsuit (above left), while thinner mesh fabric provides a smoothing effect.
The result is a comfortable shape to shape, rather than squish, and is much easier to remove once wet.
Monochrome swimsuit, £33.60; bracelet, £80, wilsonjewellery.com
Striped swimsuit, £28.80; necklace, £95, wilsonjewellery.com
Postcard print, £22.40, Anyday; bracelet, £95, florence-london.com
Black Trim, £28.80; necklace, £105, wilsonjewellery.com; sunglasses, £17, accessorize.co.uk
Equally flattering are belted styles, which will create a fitted look. Don’t you want all the fuss? The belt is removable, as are the straps, if you keep tan lines in mind.
Look for Anyday’s sky blue printed swimsuit (above right), which feels like a grown-up version of Pamela Anderson’s Baywatch days with its high leg cuts and front and back neckline.
Plus it’s a bargain at £22.40; a similar style from Hunza G, the designer loved by the likes of Holly Willoughby and Kim Kardashian, will set you back £165.
Following a trend without slavishly chasing it and updating your style without spending a fortune is an integral part of what we have always trusted with John Lewis. And now you could say that he’s not following the swimsuit game, he’s leading it.
