Gingham swimsuit: the BICHOCO collection, pearls and retro charm

A gingham swimsuit has a charm that never seems to wear out: a simple pattern, a hint of holidays past, a clean silhouette. With BICHOCO, atelier culotté makes it in textured black and white, trimmed with mother-of-pearl beads, in three pieces sewn by hand in the workshop in Andoins. It is also the designer’s favourite set.

Gingham, a summer pattern that never dates

Gingham, the small even check created by weaving threads of two colours, has long been linked with summer: picnic tablecloths, beach dresses, holiday shirts. On a swimsuit it brings a retro touch without ever looking like fancy dress.

Black and white gives it a more graphic character than pastel versions. It goes with almost anything: denim shorts, an open white shirt, a red jacket thrown over the shoulders, a wicker basket. And it reads clearly from a distance, so it is a swimsuit that gets noticed without trying too hard.

At atelier culotté, the BICHOCO gingham is textured, which gives it depth to the touch and in the light. The pieces are made from a French fabric, which the triangle and tanga pages describe as 49% polyester, 42% polyamide and 9% elastane.

The pieces in the BICHOCO collection

The whole collection is gathered in the BICHOCO collection page.

• The BICHOCO triangle (€45): black and white gingham, with “a flattering cut for small & large busts”. Adjustable straps, fully lined, trimmed with mother-of-pearl beads on the upper straps. Sizes S to XL.
• The BICHOCO tanga (€45): set off by mother-of-pearl beads, fully lined, with a gathered centre back “for a nicely rounded bottom”. Its page calls it “ultra comfortable” and “ideal for making peace with high-cut shapes”. Sizes S-M or L-XL.
• The BICHOCO bralette (€50): “ultra comfortable”, it shapes the bust. Lined, with pearls on the straps. Sizes S to XL.

The triangle and the tanga are both described as an “iconic piece that stands on its own”. Together they make up the favourite set of Chloé, the designer.

Triangle or bralette: which gingham bikini top to choose

Both tops share the same gingham and the same pearls, but they are not worn the same way.

• The triangle has a more open look, with adjustable straps to fine-tune the support. Its cut is designed to flatter small and large busts alike.
• The bralette covers more and shapes the bust. It is the comfortable choice for anyone who wants to swim, play ball or walk along the beach without a second thought.

Both tops also sit alongside the shop’s other bikini tops, if you would rather pair the gingham tanga with another colour.

The gingham tanga, a gentle way into high-cut

The tanga is the piece that gives BICHOCO its personality. Its gathered centre back shapes the bottom and its high-cut leg lengthens the leg. For anyone hesitant about a higher cut, it is a good first step: the full lining and the gathering make it feel secure.

If you are still torn between this kind of cut and a more classic brief, Brazilian briefs or tanga explains the difference between the two.

Choosing your BICHOCO size

The product pages give the size each model is wearing:

• Triangle: Marie and Chloé are a D cup and wear L.
• Bralette: Marie, a D cup, wears L.
• Tanga: Chloé, a French size 40, wears L-XL; Marie, a size 36, wears S-M.

Tops and bottoms are sold separately, so you can take a different size for each, which is often the key to a well-fitting bikini.

Caring for a gingham swimsuit

For the triangle and the tanga, the product pages state:

• Wash at 40°C maximum
• Do not bleach
• Iron at low temperature
• Do not dry clean
• Do not tumble dry
• Rinse in clean water after every swim

Black and white needs a little attention: white is prone to sunscreen marks, black to fading in prolonged sun. Rinse in clean water after every swim, dry flat in the shade, and wash separately from bright colours. The mother-of-pearl beads are best handled gently. The bralette’s page gives no care instructions: if in doubt, ask the designer.

Frequently asked questions

Is the BICHOCO gingham swimsuit see-through?

No. The triangle and the tanga are fully lined, their pages state “no see-through effect”, and the bralette is lined too.

Does the BICHOCO triangle suit larger busts?

Its page describes a flattering cut “for small & large busts”, with adjustable straps. Marie and Chloé, who are a D cup, wear it in L. If you want more support, the bralette shapes the bust more.

Can the BICHOCO tanga be worn with another top?

Yes. The pieces are sold separately, and black and white gingham pairs easily with a plain top, in black, white or a bright colour.

Where is the BICHOCO gingham swimsuit made?

It is sewn by hand by Chloé in her workshop in Andoins, in south west France, from a French fabric. Orders are prepared in 2 to 5 working days and sent by tracked Colissimo.