A great pair of swim shorts should do far more than survive a dip in the pool. The best examples are cut like tailored shorts, made from premium quick-drying fabrics and stylish enough to wear from breakfast through to sunset drinks without ever feeling out of place.
That’s what separates luxury swimwear from the rest. Better materials, sharper fits and timeless design mean you’ll wear them for years rather than replacing them every summer. They also become far more versatile, working just as well with a linen shirt and loafers as they do with bare feet on the beach.
Whether you favour understated Italian elegance, Riviera-inspired tailoring or clean Scandinavian minimalism, these are the luxury swimwear brands worth investing in.
What Makes Swimwear ‘Luxury’?
Luxury swim shorts aren’t simply expensive versions of high-street alternatives. The best brands justify their higher price tags through superior fabrics, more considered tailoring and craftsmanship that becomes obvious the moment you put them on.
Here’s what separates the best from the rest.
Tailored Rather Than Baggy
Luxury swimwear takes its cues from tailored shorts rather than oversized board shorts. Cleaner lines, slimmer silhouettes and carefully judged proportions create a far more flattering fit that works both in and out of the water.
Most premium brands favour mid-thigh lengths with a slight taper through the leg, producing swim shorts that can be comfortably worn to lunch with a linen shirt or polo, rather than being reserved exclusively for the beach.
Premium Performance Fabrics
The fabric is often where the biggest difference lies. Luxury swim shorts typically use lightweight technical materials that dry quickly, resist fading and feel noticeably softer against the skin than cheaper alternatives.
Many also feature four-way stretch, water-repellent treatments and matte finishes that look more like premium tailoring than shiny sportswear. The result is greater comfort in the water and a more refined appearance everywhere else.
Better Construction
Look closely and you’ll find details many cheaper swim shorts simply don’t offer. Reinforced stitching, stronger seams, engraved hardware, quality drawcords and robust waistbands all contribute to a garment that holds its shape season after season.
Some brands also use adjustable side fasteners instead of bulky elasticated waists, allowing for a cleaner silhouette and a more personalised fit.
Versatility Beyond The Beach
The hallmark of great luxury swimwear is versatility. A well-designed pair should be able to take you from the pool to a beach club, harbour restaurant or afternoon stroll without feeling underdressed.
Pair them with a linen shirt, knitted polo or lightweight overshirt and they become part of a complete summer wardrobe rather than simply something you wear while swimming.
Timeless Design
The best luxury swimwear brands rarely chase trends. Instead, they focus on classic colours, refined prints and silhouettes that will look every bit as stylish five or ten years from now.
Navy, olive, stone, sky blue and subtle stripes tend to age far better than loud novelty prints, making them a smarter long-term investment despite the higher initial outlay.
Orlebar Brown
Orlebar Brown has become the benchmark for luxury swim shorts, and with good reason. Long before elevated resortwear became fashionable, the British brand was producing tailored swim shorts designed to look as good away from the water as they did in it.
The signature Bulldog remains one of the best swim shorts ever made. Inspired by traditional tailored shorts rather than oversized board shorts, it features adjustable side fasteners, premium quick-drying fabric and a fit that flatters almost every body type. The longer Setter offers a little more coverage, while still retaining the same polished aesthetic.
The James Bond association may have raised the brand’s profile, but Orlebar Brown’s appeal goes well beyond cinematic product placement. These are swim shorts you’ll happily wear with a linen shirt and suede loafers to lunch before heading straight for the sea.
Vilebrequin
Few brands are as synonymous with luxury beachwear as Vilebrequin. Founded in Saint-Tropez during the early 1970s, it helped define Riviera style through vibrant colours, playful prints and impeccably made swim shorts that remain instantly recognisable today.
While the bold turtle motifs and tropical patterns still dominate the collection, there is far more to the brand than novelty prints. Fabrics are exceptionally soft, construction is first-rate and many styles are produced using recycled materials without compromising on quality or comfort.
Vilebrequin is the sort of swimwear that feels perfectly at home aboard a yacht, around a beach club or wandering through a harbour town with an open linen shirt thrown over the top. It is unapologetically luxurious, but never takes itself too seriously.
Ripa Ripa
Ripa Ripa quietly produces some of the most elegant swim shorts on the market. The Italian label has built a loyal following by focusing on flattering cuts, understated colours and timeless Mediterranean style instead of seasonal trends.
The silhouettes sit slightly shorter than average without venturing into fashion territory, creating proportions that feel contemporary but wearable. Colours lean heavily towards navy, olive, terracotta and muted blues, while subtle stripes and refined patterns offer just enough personality without dominating an outfit.
Everything about Ripa Ripa feels considered. They’re the sort of swim shorts that become part of your holiday wardrobe rather than a piece you only wear while swimming.
Throw on a knitted polo or linen shirt afterwards and you’re ready for almost any setting.
Frescobol Carioca
Inspired by Rio de Janeiro’s beach culture, Frescobol Carioca brings a more contemporary approach to resortwear. The brand’s swim shorts balance relaxed Brazilian style with refined tailoring, creating pieces that feel equally suited to city escapes and tropical holidays.
Prints are inspired by modern architecture, tropical landscapes and geometric artwork, but they’re always handled with restraint. Alongside the swimwear sits one of the strongest resortwear collections available, making it easy to build complete holiday outfits around the brand.
If your idea of summer dressing revolves around linen shirts, knitted polos and softly tailored separates, Frescobol Carioca’s swimwear slots seamlessly into that aesthetic. It feels modern, luxurious and effortlessly wearable.
Loro Piana
Loro Piana approaches swimwear in exactly the same way it approaches everything else: quietly, meticulously and with an uncompromising focus on quality. Logos are almost non-existent, colours remain understated and every detail exists for a reason.
The Italian house is best known for exceptional cashmere and fine textiles, but that same obsession with materials extends to its resort collection. Swim shorts are beautifully cut, incredibly lightweight and finished to an extraordinary standard, making them feel noticeably different from mass-market alternatives.
They are expensive, unquestionably so, but that is largely the point. Loro Piana isn’t trying to compete with high-street swimwear. It’s producing investment pieces for those who value craftsmanship above everything else.
Brunello Cucinelli
Brunello Cucinelli has built an empire on timeless elegance, and its swimwear follows exactly the same philosophy. There are no loud logos or trend-led prints here, just beautifully made shorts in sophisticated colours that will look every bit as stylish ten years from now.
Expect muted shades of navy, sage, cream, tobacco and sky blue, often paired with subtle detailing rather than anything overtly decorative. The fit strikes an excellent balance too, tailored enough to feel refined without becoming restrictive.
They’re the ideal choice for anyone whose holiday wardrobe already revolves around linen tailoring, loafers and lightweight knitwear. Quiet luxury may have become an overused phrase, but Brunello Cucinelli remains one of the few brands that genuinely embodies it.
Onia
New York label Onia helped pioneer the minimalist swim short long before clean, understated resortwear became fashionable. Its collections remain refreshingly simple, proving that good design rarely needs unnecessary embellishment.
The brand focuses on clean lines, technical quick-drying fabrics and modern tailoring, producing swim shorts that feel sleek without becoming overly sporty. Branding is subtle throughout, allowing the quality of the cut and fabric to do the talking.
For men whose wardrobes lean towards neutral colours and minimalist styling, Onia is an easy recommendation. These are swim shorts that work quietly with everything else you already own.
CDLP
Swedish label CDLP first built its reputation through exceptionally well-made underwear, but its swimwear deserves just as much recognition. The same minimalist aesthetic, premium construction and attention to detail run throughout the collection.
The designs are clean and contemporary, favouring refined colours over loud prints and incorporating recycled performance fabrics that dry quickly while remaining soft against the skin. Everything feels streamlined, functional and quietly luxurious.
CDLP is particularly appealing if you appreciate Scandinavian design. The swim shorts look just as good with an oversized linen shirt and leather sandals as they do on their own, making them an excellent choice for modern holiday dressing.