Bikini season made its grand arrival here in the UK last month when the unusually hot heatwave turned up on our doorsteps.  And when the mercury climbs into the sweltering 30s you know it’s unarguable: it’s time to bust out the bikinis.

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Amidst the current trends leaning heavily toward garish geometrics and busy botanical prints, it’s nice to find something a little sweeter.  Florals are still big business, and one sure way to pretty up your summer wardrobe with a softer colour palette.

You could easily overlook Freya‘s Coral Bay simply because it doesn’t scream itself at you.  But if you take a moment to really look at it, you realise that it’s actually a gorgeous looking collection that’s super clever and functional.  In bra sizes 28-38 D-J, and with swim options ranging from bikini tops to tankinis, a choice of two brief styles and incredibly a playsuit, Coral Bay is like a one-stop beach clobber shop.

Coral Bay’s exotic print is a flurry of succulent tropical florals in pink, cream and a hint of sunset yellow tones.  It’s delicate and feminine, while emanating a vibrant pulse.

The playsuit (large) is one fantastic addition to the Coral Bay collection that I would say plays a crucial part to the game.  It fits the theme perfectly, since you can wear it so easily right over your bikini, slipping it on and off in one simple motion.  It’s also an ultra fine fabric that’s cool to the skin and quick drying, so if you do get it wet it’s no real bother.

Designed to be stepped into and pulled on, the relaxed fit playsuit features a deep v neck allowing optimum room to manoeuvre it into place, and a discreet snap popper allows you to secure the cross over neckline a little.  Gentle elastication draws in at the waistline highlighting the bottom skimming, boxer style shorts that make the playsuit so cute and wearable.

I wore the playsuit on that hottest day of the year (so far!) when temperatures were well into the 30s, and it was the most perfect choice of clothing to wear that day.  Even through the baking heat I felt cool and comfortable.  Any light breeze blew the wafer thin fabric so it provided a welcome degree of windswept looseness.  Anything else would have had me sweltering, but I barely sweated because I felt so free and unrestrained by the playsuit.

The convertible bikini top (30GG) is something really refreshing to see, even more so in a full bust bikini.  Not only do you have the option to wear it as a halter neck top but you can choose to wear it cross-over style for a funkier, sporty look.

The fit is reminiscent of previous ranges including Fever, as it features a lower centre gore for a plunging effect.  The fastener is fairly narrow for a full bust bikini, as are the straps, which are slim enough without looking wide and bulky.  Yet, you still get a fantastic degree of support – one big reason why Freya excel at catering for the fuller bust who crave youthful design.

With my last Freya bikini review seeing me try out a 30H in the Rumble collection, and finding it a touch too spacious in the cup, I decided to try a 30GG this time around – I probably shouldn’t have.  I ended up finding the cups were on the small side, as my boobs were trying to spill out over the top.  This could have been in part due to the difference in design, as the crossover back creates a slightly more compressed shape; it altered my natural shape to the point it was obvious I was clearing wearing a too small a size.  So in hindsight I would have stuck to the 30H size again (remembering the rule that it’s much kinder to your boobs to size up rather than down.)

The hipster brief (large) is a fab bikini bottom option.  While it looks a fairly standard bikini style, a closer look reveals a much cuter design.  The front features fabric ruching; gathered sides that aid a comfortable fit while looking that little bit stylish.

The large size translates to a 14 and fits as I’d expected.  Perfect enough not to dig in around my hips and medium cut so it sits comfortably across my lower tummy.  Freya bottoms seem to be consistent once you’ve found your size, so they’re always a dead comfy wear.

I just adore this collection from Freya; it’s super cute, easy to wear and easily one of the most cheerful summery prints I’ve seen this season.

Have you seen the perfect bikini this summer?  Maybe you struggle finding cute full bust options?  Are you still bikini shopping?  Maybe you’ve already been on holiday with your favourite swimwear – I’d love to hear about it!