We have learned that athletic is the new sexy.
Day four at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia was swimwear and athleisure day. Australia's best names in swimwear and activewear (plus a few international names) came together to show us what we're going to wear this coming summer. And we weren't disappointed!
Throughout every swim collection there was a clear athletic and sporty vibe in the cuts and shapes of the pieces. We saw sleeved one pieces designed for performance, vest style tops, neoprene fabrics and exposed stitching. Unlike the ready-to-wear collections of Day one, two and three, colour and bright prints took the main stage – a nice break from the monochrome we'd seen from the previous three days. We saw animal prints, loads of floral and even some playful retro-inspired prints.
Scroll through to see all the colour, trends and cuts you'll be buying in six months. Bring on summer!
We Are Handsome
Trends: Sporty, 90's retro
Key styles and cuts: High-cut bikini bottoms, sporty performance designed tops, Baywatch-esque high-cut one-pieces.
What we loved: The vibrancy and colour of this comparatively large collection was a well-deserved break from the monochrome themes of many of the other resort collections. The clear nod to 90s style through the high cuts and prints had us filled with warm and fuzzy waves of nostalgia. We can't wait to get our hands on some of these dynamic and super-flattering pieces.
Camilla
Trends: African
Key styles and cuts: Skimpy cuts, low-plunge one-pieces.
What we loved: Camilla's "Jambo Jambo" resort collection was inspired by the culture and colour of Kenya. The brand stuck to its heavily embellished and printed aesthetic, but the African theme could be seen through the rich orange, red and yellow prints. We loved the vibrant colour and joyousness of the collection.
Swim Showcase: Duskii Active
Trends: Sporty, African-inspired
Key styles and cuts: Sporty lines, triangle tops, performance designed one-pieces.
What we loved: The Moroccan theme of the Duskii Active "Paradis" Resort 17 collection came through in the colour. Rich metallic bronze tones, warm reds and midnight blue-conjured vibes of Arabian nights, bohemian glamour and lavish oases. Duskii remained true to its activewear aesthetic through the sport lines and shapes of the pieces.
Swim Showcase: Palm Swimwear
Trends: White, femininity.
Key styles and cuts: High-waisted briefs, crossover and wrapped shapes.
What we loved: The collection called Qualia broke the swimwear mould. The softer feminine styles with whites and muted tones were in contrast to the sporty vibe of the rest of the shows. It was great to know there will be some variety come summer.
Swim Showcase: Aqua Blu
Trends: Floral prints, animal prints, sporty.
Key styles and cuts: Sports bra-style tops, zippers, high necks.
What we loved: The "Chase The Sun" collection from Aqua Blu combined athletic cuts and sporty designs with romantic and feminine fabrics. The collection is striking and wearable.
Bondi Bather
Trends: Athleisure, location-based prints.
Key styles and cuts: High-neckline tops, vest-style tops, one-pieces.
What we loved: Bondi Bather is famous for its exclusive prints created by Australian photographers. This collection showcased prints of the natural world including mountainous landscapes and sunsets on the beach.
Cynthia Rowley
Trends: Sporty, florals, sleeves.
Key styles and cuts: Exposed stitching, mid-rise cuts, performance-designed one-pieces.
What we loved: Cynthia Rowley's swimwear was colourful and feminine while also practical and athletic. The collection featured a number of wetsuit-like, sleeved one-pieces and practical two-pieces. It was clear to see that sporty is the new sexy.
