the great aussie cossie

Make a splash this summer with a sensational Aussie bikini – we show you where to shop in Sydney for the perfect fit

WORDS UTE JUNKER

Baku

Baku lets you bare all in stunning
style Baku does bikinis for hard-to-please princesses. All Baku pieces are sold as separates, so you can mix and match different sizes, styles, colours, even prints and plains. With cup sizes ranging from A to E, you can choose what works for your body: triangles, hipster or tummy-control pants for down below; padded halternecks, moulded-cup bandeaus, underwired bras or even singlet-style numbers for up top. This season there’s a range of looks to choose from, such as chic black-and-whites; vibrant fuchsias, reds, aquas and purples; and plenty of bold prints, from retro Hawaiiana to dramatic geometrics.

We’re loving: the bold stripes accentuated with pirate details such as coin trinkets plus the 50s-style halters – sweet and sexy at the same time. Another key look: ruched tops that look oh-so-cool.

Price range: separates from AU$40 to AU$120; sets from AU$80 to AU$170.

Roxy

Roxy fun in the sun swimwear If you love the sexy, sassy look of boardshorts for girls, you’ll love Roxy, the label that started the whole trend. This season, their boardies come in a range of looks, including thin and thick stripes, florals and geometrics. There’s a lot more to Roxy’s range, however. Their bikinis come in bright colours and with bold graphics, all of which can be mixed and matched. Choose from geometric prints, two-tone tops, paisley swirls and polka dots, in bandeau or halterneck styles.

We’re loving: the sexy cross-halter tops, and the bandeaus with bead detailing.

Price range: AU$60 to AU$80.

Ginja

Ginja is the label for girls who are more interested in looking good than getting wet. Their skin-baring bikinis look sensational on the sand, even if they might be a bit risky in serious surf. The big look for the season is frill detailing, both in bikinis and one-pieces. And yes, Ginja is bringing back the one-piece, although not as a cover-up for the shy – only the confident will strut their stuff in their plunging-down-to-there necklines. Trendwise, this season will see looks from every era: 50s polka dots, 60s surfie styles, 70s paisley and 80s fluoros. The collection’s highlights are the shiny metallics.

We’re loving: the silky microfibre material and the side-tie pants.

Price range: separates from AU$40 to AU$80; sets from AU$80 to AU$140.

For the Guys and Girls

Billabong

Both guys and girls looking for cool surfer style can try these brands on for size.

Mambo, as usual, has plenty of loud and proud prints – think Hawaii gone troppo, and you’re heading in the right direction. In boardshorts, look for the 60s psychedelia of Josh Petherick; for the girls, vibrant bikinis and one-pieces are in.
Price range: AU$30 to AU$110.

Quiksilver is also big on wildly printed boardshorts. Look for updates on classic palm prints, reissued 80s classics, and a too-cool-for-school floral, as well as eight-times world surfing champion Kelly Slater’s signature boardshorts.
Price range: AU$50 to AU$80.

Billabong also has a retro feel this summer, with a trunk featuring Billabong advertising from the 1970s, and plenty of plaid. There are also limited-edition boardshorts designed by the Foo Fighters and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Billabong’s women’s range has an 80s vibe, with plenty of fluoros and fun prints. Price range: AU$79–89.

Bikini Boutiques

As you might guess, if you’re looking for Sydney’s best swimwear, your best bet is to head straight for the beach. At Bondi, you’ll find two of the city’s best bikini boutiques: Bikini Island Swimwear, which has been selling swimwear for almost 30 years, and The Big Swim, with three outlets across Sydney.

Norman Lowe of The Big Swim says: “The best thing about shopping in a specialty store is that you’ll find swimwear to suit just about any body size and shape.” Norman says that 50% of his sales are to women with a D-cup or larger. “Our staff are trained to make you feel at ease and help you find what you’re looking for.” Among its popular brands are Moontide, Sunseeker, Seafolly, Ada and Watersun.

Variety is a key selling point – both The Big Swim and Bikini Island stock around 18 different brands, which means you can choose from best-sellers as well as new labels.

“The local girls don’t want to see 10 other girls on the beach wearing the same costume, so they like the smaller up-and-coming labels,” says Lorraine Reynolds, of Bikini Island, which stocks Tigerlilly, Colt, Lisa Ho, Zimmermann, Nookie and Bondi.

Both Lowe and Reynolds say the new season swimwear offers plenty of choice for those looking for something a bit different. “We have some lovely reversible bikinis, with a print on one side and colour on the other, and some great one-pieces that come with power meshing, a strong lining that holds everything in. They say they make you look 10 pounds lighter,” says Lowe.

Reynolds tips that the 50s look will be big this year. “It’s a cheeky look that also provides a bit more covering, which means it works in the surf,” she says. “There are plenty of great prints around as well.”

Of course, if you need a sarong, cover-up or hat, both stores have a great accessories.

DIVE RIGHT IN

Photos: Tourism New
South Wales

Sydney has some great places to get wet. Take the plunge at these hot locations:

BEACHES:

Balmoral Beach
The Esplanade, Balmoral
This harbour beach has everything you need for a day out: netted areas for kids, an elegant art deco promenade, and a couple of fine-dining restaurants for when the sun goes down.

Bondi Beach
Campbell Parade, Bondi
Sydney’s most famous beach is a massive sweep of sand that stretches the length of Campbell Parade. The water is divided between surfers and swimmers, and lifeguards are on duty.

Bronte Beach
Bronte Road, Bronte
South of Bondi is Bronte, a more family-friendly option, with extensive parklands, barbecue facilities and a large rock pool. Walk here from Bondi via a stunning cliff walk.

Manly Beach
South Steyne, Manly
Another of the city’s iconic surf beaches, Manly Beach is flanked by Norfolk Island pines. A short walk will get you to Shelly Beach, withcalm waters ideal for kids.

Nielsen Park
Greycliffe Avenue, Vaucluse
A favourite with eastern-suburb families, thanks to its green parklands and netted swimming area.

POOLS:

Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool
Mrs Macquarie’s Rd, The Domain
It would be hard to find a more scenically located pool than this one, nestled between the Botanic Gardens and Sydney Harbour. Plenty of bodies-beautiful on display, too.

Coogee
Photo: Tourism New South WalesNorth Sydney Olympic Pool
The local girls don’t want to see 10 othergirls on the beach wearing the same costume, so they likze the smaller up-and-coming labels.

 

Alfred St, Milsons Point
There’s an indoor pool for winter, but most swimmers do their laps outside so they can soak up the stunning views of the harbour, the city and the Harbour Bridge towering above.

FIND IT:

Roxy Sydney
Shop G2A, 175 Pitt St, Sydney, tel: +61 (2) 9223 6999

Baku
David Jones, 133 Elizabeth St, Sydney, tel: +61 (2) 9266 5544
Bikini Island Swimwear, 38 Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach, tel: +61 (2) 9300 9446

Ginja
Tel: +61 (2) 9764 3199 for stockists

Mambo
80 Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach, tel: +61 (2) 9365 2255;
Shop 80, The Corso, Manly, tel: +61 (2) 9977 9171

Quiksilver
363 George St, Sydney, tel: +61 (2) 9290 2929

Billabong
393 George St, Sydney, tel: +61 (2) 9262 2878

Bikini Island Swimwear
Shop 1, 38 Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach, tel: +61 (2) 9300 9446

The Big Swim
74 Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach, tel: +61 (2) 9365 4457
51a The Corso, Manly, tel: +61 (2) 9977 8961

Ute Junker says:
I always learn something when writing a story. On this story, I learned two important facts: one, I won’t be walking down the beach in a plunging one-piece anytime soon, and two, when you’re trying on bikinis, take a sarong into the changing room. If there’s no mirror in there and you need to walk back into the store, it helps to have a cover-up handy.