The LBC...the Little Black Costume

But getting beach ready doesn’t need to mean visiting every aisle in Boots the chemist twice and scrubbing your skin until it’s sore — everything can be resolved with the help of the perfect swimsuit.

One-pieces have been steadily climbing the popularity ladder over the past few seasons thanks to the somewhat stubborn Fifties fashion revival. But despite this, one particular style — namely, the plain black swimsuit — has been struggling to come out of the shadows, all too often viewed as the dowdy option of the pack. That was, until now. It’s finally time to leave the prints to the sunloungers and embrace the Little Black Costume.

Much like the sunglasses and SPF, a “Don’t Leave Home Without” label should be attached to the Little Black Costume because, much like its failsafe dress counterpart, it’s a vital part of every woman’s wardrobe — or should that be suitcase?

There are several contributing factors in the LBC’s instant appeal, and endorsement from the sensationally curvaceous Beyoncé and Kelly Brook is easily one of the most persuasive. Showing off the merits of the LBC to its full potential, the pair both chose a black one-piece for recent trips to the French coast. While new mum Beyoncé flaunted her shapely post-baby figure in a flattering swimsuit from Norma Kamali in St Barts, Brook poured her curves into a suitably sexy cut-out little black number while in Cannes last month.

If this isn’t enough to convince you, the newly revamped picks in-store should be. Gone are the drab, mumsy “curve-control” days, and instead the LBC has picked up the pace in the style stakes. Designer of the moment Roksanda Ilincic has applied her commercial talents to the swimwear industry with a range of desirable LBCs with cutout details, pretty ruffles and neon trims, while the clean-cut offerings from US label J Crew are certainly worth their Lycra.

Traditional swimwear brands are also reinventing their range to include more from the must-have style. Both Princesse Tam Tam and Sea Spray have honed their selection of simple black cossies into an art form, while London-based luxury sportswear label Lucas Hugh has just launched its first performance swimsuit, with a pleasantly stylish and glossy result that defies its sporting credentials.

If you’re still scared of looking boring on the beach, head to LA brand Wildfox, which has a chic range of printed swimsuits in darker shades, including a subtle galaxy print version, while Zimmermann has ramped up the sex-appeal with a high-necked backless version.

In case you were in any doubt, black is definitely the new black. When it comes to swimsuits, at least.