Diving Belles: Springtime Swimwear

2012 for me has been the year of the swim, and attempting to fit a more lengths into my life each week. I've bought prescription goggles so I can see. I've bought a cap so I don't frazzle my hair. I now clearly need to buy a new swimming costume to offset the horror that is those two looks combined.

I tend to favour more retro looks in my swimming costume. It's partly because that's my style on dry land anyway and partly because I'm a bit prudish but mostly it's because I like to have a proper swim and I'm always slightly fearful of how skimpier numbers will hold me. So forgive me if my current favourites are not as itsy bitsy as you like in your beachwear: there's loads of those out there too, if that's your taste.

For me, this is retro swimwear at its finest - a swimsuit that would be perfect for posing in at the nearest lido. It's new in at What Katie Did and costs £67.50. Braver souls than me can also buy it as a bikini. Which to pick from racy red, bold black or sultry sky blue? I'm tempted to   ask my friends to buy the other colours and to set up our own synchronised swimming team. We'll be totally uncoordinated but will look completely stellar.

Last week Sian showed you some very pretty wallpaper dresses - here is the swimsuit version, courtesy of Ted Baker. Overblown roses? A dragon fly? Lovely. Panelled sides that will help disguise how many ice creams I've had - brilliant. What's more is that it's currently reduced to £55.20 at House of Fraser.

This bikini goes all the way up to a 38G. It's from Bravissimo (of course), and is apparently an update on 1950s beachwear. I don't think it would do the job for lengths at the local pool but I confess that I got a bit distracted by the ribbons, the polka dots, the ribbons and the model's incredible figure. I do wish they'd done shorts for the bottoms though. The bikini top is £32 for the top and the briefs will cost either £20 or £22 depending on the level of skimpiness desired.

I adore most of the Seafolly range at ASOS. They're Australian so they don't muck about with beachwear. They are expensive though. This is one of their prettiest bikini tops which happens to be on sale at the moment priced at £27, rather than £58. With its underwiring and pattern, it looks like a pretty bra. It actually looks like part of a dress I'd want to wear - it's not swimwear produced with the aim of going faster, or of luring the boys. In fact, I think it's my favourite - what do you think?