Trending: One-piece swimsuits

Back in the day of classic MGM Technicolour musicals, bathing beauty Esther Williams worked elaborate synchronised swimming routines into her films. She could work a one-piece on the high dive, but her legacy unfortunately would not challenge those of Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, even though they couldn't be movie stars underwater.

You can channel Williams’s vintage swimsuit chic with a flattering, tummy-sucking gingham number from her eponymous swimwear collection. Equally supportive is this femme fatale one-piece from Agent Provocateur (if the price is too much, Gossard has an affordable approximation). Those who want to make a modern splash on a budget can go for Oasis, or, for the price of a budget holiday, Mara Hoffman.

(R-L) Mara Hoffman swimsuit, €300. Floral swimsuit from Oasis, €56. Agent Provocateur Marnee swimsuit, €635. Esther Williams gingham swimsuit, $77 at esther-williams.com