Summer’s Here
Make a splash with super swimwear
Such is the nature of magazines, that the shoot on our pages this week took place in Miami, several weeks before Covid-19 restrictions came into place. “It was obviously a very different time, with very different expectations of how the next few months were going to play out,” says Arnotts’ swimwear and lingerie buyer Rachelle Hanley.
In among all the huge, fundamental changes happening in our lives over the past few months, there was an, admittedly less important, shift in what we needed from our wardrobes. I lost track of the amount of friends who reported a wardrobe clearout from lockdown.
As our lives have become much more focused, so must our clothes. Where we go, and what we do, has become more considered. It seems useful to apply the same thinking to our wardrobes. Our lives have been pared down; it seems an appropriate time to take an equally thoughtful approach to what we buy, if we haven’t already. When we’re purchasing, what are the pieces we will really wear again and again?
While we may not go abroad, as much of this summer as possible will be spent outdoors, in our gardens, if we are lucky enough to have one, or at beaches or parks. The perfect denim shorts (Levi’s cut-offs, always), a warm cardigan to layer over things as we sit out in the evenings — these are the wardrobe workhorse pieces we need for summer 2020.
And, of course, keeping all fingers crossed, swimwear. “The last few bank holidays have given us all a snapshot of just how gorgeous spending time in
Ireland is,” Rachelle points out. This summer, the trend in swimwear is for florals, she says. In lingerie, she explains, the Irish buyer tends to prefer muted tones, but in swimwear, we “go all-out.
It’s all about being seen. The brighter, the bolder the print, the better.”
“Even among younger buyers,” says Rachelle, “there is a move from bikinis towards one-pieces; as we are increasingly aware of sun damage, we no longer worry about tan lines from sunbathing.”
Athleisure is still a favourite trend, made only more popular by our weeks spent living largely in tracksuits and gym gear. Keep an eye out for swimwear that can work in as part of an outfit, like the one-shouldered Chantelle swimsuit pictured left. Given our weather, you are more likely to be throwing on something over your swimsuit than not.
Arnotts specialises in brands that also make great lingerie, like Fantasie, Chantelle, Simone Perele and Anita. Their swimwear echoes the functional support elements of good lingerie. In bikini tops, the store stocks from 30E to 38G, and in swimsuits, from a 32D to 40F.
All items are available from the Arnotts
S/S 2020 collection in-store and online. Arnotts, 12 Henry St, D1, tel: (01) 805-0400, or see arnotts.ie
Photographed by Alex Hutchinson
Styled and creatively directed by
Courtney Smith
Hair and Make-up by Heather Blaine
Model: Nicole Harrison at Premier Model Management
Location: Key Biscayne, Miami
With thanks to Aer Lingus. The crew flew with Aer Lingus, direct to Miami, Florida. Travelling with Aer Lingus, guests can benefit from US pre-clearance at Dublin Airport and 10kg cabin baggage at no extra charge, complimentary meals, drinks and Wi-Fi