The single most important step in caring for luxury swimwear is rinsing in cold, clean water within an hour of removing the piece. Salt water accelerates the breakdown of elastane fibres. Chlorine bleaches dye and degrades fabric structure. Both continue working on the fabric after you leave the water if not rinsed out promptly.

Cold water is important. Hot water relaxes the elastane in the fabric and reduces its capacity to return to shape. Over repeated washes, this is what causes swimwear to lose its hold and begin to sag. Even warm water is enough to cause this damage over time.

If you are travelling and do not have access to clean water immediately, rinse as soon as you can. A salt-water rinse is better than no rinse at all. The priority is removing chlorine first: pool water causes more rapid colour degradation than sea water in most fabrics.

Hand washing is the correct method for all luxury swimwear, including Italian technical fabric and silk pieces. Machine washing, even on a delicate cycle, causes two problems: the agitation stretches and distorts the fabric structure, and the spin cycle puts sustained mechanical stress on elastane fibres that shortens their working life significantly.

Fill a basin with cool water and add a small amount of specialist swimwear detergent or a gentle, pH-neutral liquid detergent. Submerge the piece and move it gently through the water for two to three minutes. Do not wring, twist, or scrub. Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.

For silk resortwear, the same principle applies: cool water, gentle detergent, no mechanical stress. Silk is more sensitive to alkaline detergents than technical fabric, so check the detergent is pH-neutral before using it on a silk kimono or kaftan.

Drying method matters as much as washing method. Lay swimwear flat on a clean surface away from direct sunlight. Hanging a wet swimsuit from a strap or waistband allows gravity to stretch the fabric while it is at its most vulnerable: wet and relaxed. A piece dried flat returns to its original shape. A piece hung to dry often does not.

Direct sunlight fades even the most colourfast dyes over repeated exposure. Dry in shade or indoors. The piece will dry within a few hours in most conditions.

For storage between trips, fold lightly and store flat in a drawer or box rather than compressing into a tight space. Avoid storing with rough-textured fabrics that can snag delicate surfaces.

For packing: tie side bottoms fold flat and travel well. Structured pieces such as underwire tops should be packed with cups facing up and not compressed under heavier items. Silk resortwear benefits from a lightweight garment bag or being rolled inside a soft layer to prevent creasing.