With pool and beach season on the horizon, Cosabella’s head of design is offering a concise, practical playbook for shoppers who dread the dressing-room scramble. Dani Read, who leads design for the Italian lingerie and swimwear label, told Yahoo Style that the smartest place to start isn’t with a trendy silhouette but with the fabric — and with a handful of fit basics that make suits more comfortable and longer‑lasting.
“Sun, salt and chlorine are very hard on materials, so I always choose fabrics with durability in mind,” Read said. Her checklist of must-have technical features is specific: shaping compression for a sleeker fit, 50+ UPF sun protection, vibrant fade‑resistant color, quick‑dry performance and anti‑pilling construction. Those elements, she argues, preserve appearance and shape season after season and reduce the disappointment of a suit that stretches, fades or pills after a few wears.
Read also urges shoppers to prioritize fit and comfort over chasing trends. “Everybody is unique, and finding a swimsuit that fits well and makes you feel confident and comfortable is key,” she said. Her practical counsel: invest in a few reliably fitted styles that suit one’s body rather than amassing many ill‑fitting trend pieces. Adjustable features such as straps and closures are central to that approach because they let wearers fine‑tune support and silhouette.
The interview includes targeted tips for different body types. For fuller‑busted women, Read recommends wider shoulder straps and supportive construction to lift and distribute weight more evenly; adjustable straps let wearers customize support. For those seeking a smoother midsection, she suggests swimsuits with built‑in tummy‑control panels and high‑waisted bikini bottoms to streamline the waistline.
Read’s advice also addresses hips and bottoms, and in ways that may feel counterintuitive. Rather than hiding wide hips under a swim dress, she recommends higher‑cut leg openings that visually elongate the legs and complement a curvier figure. For women with larger buttocks, she says bold prints and patterns can help balance proportions and draw the eye in a more flattering way than an all‑over solid might.
Taken together, Read’s guidance reframes swimsuit shopping as a matter of materials science plus tailored fit: look for durable performance textiles (with UPF ratings and quick‑dry or anti‑pilling claims), choose adjustable and supportive constructions, and match silhouettes to personal needs rather than fleeting fashion moments. The observations come straight from a designer who spends her days building support into barely‑there garments, making them among the more actionable voices this season for anyone trying to find a flattering, long‑lasting suit. The product reviews quoted in the original piece reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.