Gorgeous swimwear boutiques (and sales) in London 2016

Few things are better than the first hot days of spring, when it's warm enough to finally pull out the summer dresses from the back of the wardrobe and put those tights back in the sock draw. But those little joys are nothing when compared to the glorious freedom of flying off on your summer holiday, or even a few hours by the side of a lido, when all you need is a swimming costume and some sun cream.

If you've had half an eye on your fantasy summer retreat since January (like we have), you'll know that the costumes to look out for this year tend to come with creative cut outs – including those with very very very low backs and costumes that come off the shoulder. If you fancy a two-piece, then the halter necks you've been wearing all winter have transitioned into swimwear along with crochets in bright 70s colours and sport luxe.

Now is the time to buy, as the sales are just around the corner while the holidays are yet to begin. Some of the sales don't have official end dates, but as seasoned bargain-hunters know, the quicker you get there the more chance you have of finding what you want. So pick up the perfect discounted swimming costume straight away, chose your best beach read, and head off on your holiday. Bon voyage!

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Best Boutique for colour

Eres: sale starts 13 July

Eres London boutique address: 14 Motcomb St, Belgravia and 13 Burlington Arcade, Mayfair

A favourite among actress and model Katie Holmes and actress Helen Mirren, Eres is the ultra glamorous French swimwear label famous for dressing Halle Berry in her orange bikini in the James Bond film Die Another Day.

Although Eres designer swimwear comes with a price tag (costumes are £300 and up), these eye-catching, colourful costumes don't tire because they're resistant to everything: sun, saltwater, sand and chlorine. Every bold colour on offer is unique to Eres and will last. We recommend visiting the Eres store in the Burlington Arcade, which we're in love with.

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Best Boutique for the Perfect Fit

Biondi Couture: ON SALE NOW

Biondi Couture boutique address: 55b Old Church Street, Chelsea

Having started her career as a fashion buyer for Harvey Nichols, Biondi founder Claudine Davies spent her childhood holidays admiring the swimwear modelled on the beaches of South America with her Brazilian mother, and became determined in later life to bring to Britain the high quality, bold simplicity she saw there.

Although Biondi Couture is only young, it stocks the widest selection of designer swimwear, beachwear and accessories in the UK. We're not especially interested in the breadth of its choice, so much as the quality of its edit, fabrics and service.

Biondi Couture boasts a bespoke tailoring service, in which clients discuss the fabrics, trends, body shapes and fitting before receiving their couture bikini less than six weeks later.

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Fashionista? Discover our other favourite boutiques in the big smoke!

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Best Boutique for Cover-ups

Melissa Odabash: sale dates from third week of August until the end of September

Melissa Odabash boutique address: 48B Ledbury Road, Notting Hill and 29 Walton Street, Chelsea

If you're looking at pictures of celebrities taken through the long lens of a paparazzi camera this summer, chances are they're on the beach wearing Melissa Odabash. Gwyneth Paltrow, Rihanna, Cindy Crawford and Lady Gaga, to name a few, all boast Melissa Odabash swimwear – although the founder and designer herself says that it's 'The Body' Elle Macpherson who is the best to dress.

This year, Melissa Odabash has gone all sports luxe, so keep your eyes peeled for the super hot, mesh one-pieces and over-the-shoulder bikinis that we can't get enough of.

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Best Boutique for Comfort and TImeless Style

Rigby & Peller: ON SALE until 31st July

Rigby & Peller boutique address: 13 King's Road, Chelsea

Rigby & Peller is the lingerie boutique that made maternity wear for the Duchess of Cambridge and brassieres for the Queen. But it's more than that, with a spectacular swimwear collection, categorised by cut and make: soft cup, strapless, boat cut, padded cup, underwire cup and low plunge – ensuring that the swimwear supports your body and makes you look the best on the beach. It's less about the swimwear and more about you.

If you fancy getting your hands on some of their lingerie (if it's good enough for Kate...) then the dates to keep in mind are from 28th June - 31st of July when Rigby & Peller have their normal sale.

Their swimwear sale dates are yet to be decided upon, but they should be some time in September. Make sure you check back here because we'll keep you up to date with all the swimwear sale information you need.

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Best Boutique for Beach Accessories

Heidi Klein: ON SALE NOW

Heidi Klein boutique address: 174 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill and 257 Pavillion Road, Chelsea

It's little surprise that Heidi Klein swimsuits and accessories are sold at Matches and Selfridges alongside its London boutiques, as the attention to detail, colour-pop and simple flattering designs are popular everywhere.

Founder Heidi Klein's mantra is to keep the look simple, with elegant clean lines – and to bring a classic white shirt with you on holiday. No outfit is complete, she says, without beach accessories. Statement jewellery, shoes and Heidi Klein beach bags are some of the defining items that make this brand worth the effort.

The Heidi Klein sale date is yet to be decided so it's worth checking back here in a few weeks when we'll have more information to share with you.