Six Swim & Resort Wear Brands That Should Definitely Be On Your Radar

Apr 18, 2023

It is that time of the year again where the days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, and lounging by the pool or at the beach become the weekend routine. So, it is the perfect time to add a few new swim and resort wear pieces to the wardrobe that will keep you cool and stylish. With that said, I rounded up six brands (including a few that offer men's collections) to keep your summer style game tight.

AZULU

AZULU: Processed with VSCO with we preset

Founded by husband-and-wife duo, Maya Memovic and Alex Srour, AZULU is a spin-off of Srour's family's business, Salomon. "Over the years, as Alex and I got involved in the business, the brand's design esthetic evolved. We further elevated the brand, extending out the product offering as well as upgrading the image, finally turning Salomon into AZULU in 2015," shares Memovic.

Today, AZULU is a ready-to-wear brand with a strong resort aesthetic. "The connection to our Colombian roots, the culture and the coastline of Cartagena and San Andres, as well as our bold use of colors and textures, makes AZULU a great option for building out a warm weather or a vacation wardrobe," explains Memovic. "However, we also cut a great dress and do have Fall and Holiday collections which are heavily focused on occasion wear. The brand produces four yearly collections of women's RTW & Resortwear as well as two collections of menswear; we’ve also developed Mommy & Me capsules as well as shoe and handbag collaborations."

AZULU: Processed with VSCO with we preset

While the brand's designs pay homage to the couple's Latin backgrounds, the nod to their heritage is subtle, which the pair feels makes their designs timeless. "Instead of relying heavily on prints, we love to use intricate materials, textured, beaded or embroidered fabrics, and fun detailing, while keeping with the modern, sleek, and effortless silhouettes," Memovic tells me. "Over the years we have developed a string of iconic styles that our clients frequently return for like our scalloped panel shapes and our draped gowns that are unique and beautifully enhance the female form. In design, I personally love mixing striking architectural elements with a more bohemian easy feel; my love of the 70s and Art Deco definitely translates in all of AZULU's collections."

I love the design aesthetic of AZULU. The pieces are beautiful, impeccably made, and I know that I will have them in my closet for years to come.

Onia

Onia

Since 2009, Onia has been offering men and women classic styles of swimwear, beachwear, and clothing. "At the foundation of the brand, we always focus on fit, fabric, and function," Onia's founder, Nathan Romano tells me. "Classic and timeless silhouettes have always been the paramount focus of our design process. We work with fabrics across the globe which range from sustainable linen to more technical water-resistant fabrics that can withstand any travel destination."

Onia

Romano feels that one of the biggest differentiators his brand offers consumers when compared other similar brands is the textile choices. "Fabrics have always been at the forefront of our design process. In fact, we look for ways to develop and trademark our fabrics. ‘Aerify Linen’ for example is a new proprietary fabric of ours that now incorporates Tencel into our linen for a more relaxed, breathable, and wrinkle-free feel."

Onia's beachwear and swimwear are well constructed in classic silhouettes and wash well, which are some of the reasons Romano feels his brand is the ideal destination for men and women. "Playing with fabrics that are easy to wear, have dual functionality, are washable, and clothing that you can keep in your closet year after year."

Rebecca Vallance

Rebecca Vallance

Australian-based designer Rebecca Vallance has been offering her stunning designs with her eponymous brand since 2011. "My signature collections offer a range of meticulously crafted garments, blending sophisticated tailoring, luxurious fabrications, and exquisite design across ready-to-wear, evening wear, and suiting," Vallance tells me. "The brand also presents an elevated selection of resort and swimwear, featuring exclusive prints that epitomize summer."

On what makes her brand unique in the space, Vallance tells me that both the ready-to-wear and swim collection are designed to be cohesive looks from head to toe. "Just like our suiting and RTW tailoring, the fit and styles within our swim collection have gone through multiple versions before we go into production. Our swimwear collection incorporates premium features such as removable padding and adjustable straps, elevating both the comfort and confidence of our customers. By adding these features, we can cater to a diverse range of shapes and sizes, ensuring that everyone can feel their best in our designs." The brand's swimwear is also made from econyl regenerated nylon, sourced from materials like fishing nets and rescued industrial plastic that help to actively reduce environmental pollution.

Rebecca Vallance

Vallance's upcoming collection takes inspiration from the landscapes of Sicily. "It's influenced by the remarkable architecture, intricate interiors, and captivating motifs of Southern Italy," she tells me. "This collection encapsulates the region's essence. The color palette mirrors the deep sea, featuring various shades of blue, transitioning from sunrise to sunset. Delicate hues of pale pink and peach add a dreamy touch to the collection, reflecting the ethereal beauty of Sicily."

Rebecca Vallance offers stunning designs that are timeless, fit the form beautifully, and are meticulously made not overlooking any detail.

Monday Swimwear

Monday Swimwear

Launched in 2014 and founded by Natasha Oakely and Devin Brugman, Monday Swimwear offers feminine designs that are focused on fit and quality. "We created Monday Swimwear as a continuation of our goal to instill confidence and power within our audience. An essential mode of achieving this is ensuring our designs are based off timeless pieces that we know will compliment and flatter the female form, as opposed to recreating size-specific, temporary trends," Oakely tells me.

Offering a wide range of sizes is one of the things that makes the brand stand out from many other swimwear brands. "Our range offers swimwear for women up to an F/G cup and tops are fitted to every cup size and manufactured accordingly, rather than simply being scaled up from a size S - as per industry standards," explains Oakely. "Fit is extremely important to us and was one of the most personal motivators behind the creation of Monday Swimwear."

Monday Swimwear

After almost ten years of business, the pair of planning their first pop-up in Los Angeles. Brugman shares, "LA is where it all started for Monday Swimwear, so it was only natural to open our first stateside pop-up at The Grove. Our LA customer base has always been so supportive of the brand, so we wanted to be able to give them an IRL experience this season." Oakely adds, "We’re coming up to our ten-year anniversary and to celebrate this milestone we were looking to invest in our customer in a different way. We wanted to offer a more immersive shopping experience and connect with our customers IRL."

I love the way Monday Swimwear fits my petite frame and I get nothing but compliments when I wear the brand's resort pieces. They are staples for me living in Miami.

Natasha Tonic

Natasha Tonic

Long before she launched her eponymous brand in 2017, Natasha Tonic was conceiving a way she could utilize plant-based hemp to create durable swimwear that was sustainable and could withstand contact with chlorine and salt.

"The core essence of my brand aesthetic lies in the pursuit of clean lines and captivating shapes, meticulously crafted to flatter and enhance the wearer's visual appeal," Tonic tells me. "The aesthetic narrative of my brand showcases a striking dichotomy. On one end, serenity emanates from calm, structured designs adorned with monochrome colors, exuding elegance, and poise. On the other end, a vivid burst of wildness emerges, featuring warm, unexpected tones and captivating shapes that ignite a sense of adventure and allure."

Tonic goes on to share with me that her customers aren't ones swayed by marketing ploys. "They embody a refined rebellion against the antiquated system, representing a polished version of those who dare to challenge the norm. With their discerning tastes and unwavering spirit, they refuse to be swayed, carving their own path in the world." In a sea of swimwear options, she explains that her brand "stands out as a testament to nature's resilience and the power of artistic connections."

Natasha Tonic

"My brand is all about being different, pushing boundaries, and staying ahead of the game. In today's Instagram-dominated world, it's a challenge to find true uniqueness. However, that challenge fuels our creativity and drives us to constantly evolve in order to make a lasting impression," she continues. "One of the key factors that sets my brand apart is our use of organic hemp/cotton fabric. I genuinely believe that our swimwear is the most environmentally friendly option out there." Using hemp and embroidered details rather than plastic labels are just a few of the innovative design choices Tonic made to help challenge the status quo in the industry.

Additionally, Tonic offers made-to-order swimwear to help further minimize waste and provide a more customized customer experience. "By engaging directly with them, we gain valuable insights and ensure that nothing goes to waste. Some of our designs are quite intricate and don't lend themselves well to mass production, so we hand-dye and create them on-demand," explains Tonic, "As an added touch, we occasionally provide free alterations if a customer requires them. It's all about going that extra mile to deliver a personalized experience and show our dedication to customer satisfaction."

I love the aesthetic of the brand. I currently have a racerback dress and I love the color, fit, and softness of the hemp fabric. I am having a suit made for me and I can't wait to wear it.

SHAN

SHAN

Every once in a while, I come across a brand where I wonder how the heck I hadn't crossed paths with it before, which was the case with Canadian-based luxury brand SHAN. Founded in 1985 by Chantal Levesque, the brand set out to elevate couture swimwear, resort wear, and ready-to-wear for men and women.

"The brand began as a custom-made high-end swimwear operation. Initially, the idea was to create 12 swimsuit styles designed for different body types that would meet the needs of most women, allowing them to dress suitably by eliminating any concerns regarding the fit or the overall look," Levesque tells me. "From the very beginning, the vision was to offer on an international level, a niche product with a well-defined image and values. It has always been and will always be a priority for the brand to control 100% of its operations. Design, production, commercial and distribution activities are all integrated under one roof, the head office in Laval, Quebec."

SHAN offers a simple, modern, and comfortable quality product for men and women for most occasions throughout the year, offering not only Cruise and Spring-Summer but also a Fall-Winter collection. "I think what makes our brand stand out is our philosophy: An uncompromising dedication to quality, design, and manufacturing," continues Levesque. "We offer a comfortable and versatile high-quality product with a conscious manufacturing process that respects both the environment and the human craftmanship. We cater to a very wide range of body shapes and sizes while remaining ahead of fashion trends."

SHAN

Looking forward to next year's collection, Levesque shares that the upcoming collection was rooted in the concept of tropical elegance. "Each piece is designed to accompany the modern traveler on its daily adventures. Warm weather, beautiful sandy beaches and lush dense vegetation has inspired the prints and fabrics of this collection."

I absolutely love SHAN. I have no idea how I hadn't discovered it before. Nevertheless, both the resort wear and swim wear are classy, impeccably constructed, fit perfectly, and I feel stylish, sexy, but not too over the top whenever I wear the pieces I have begun collecting from the brand. The brand will definitely be a go-to moving forward.