Emilio Pucci started designing in the late 1940s after a photograph of ski clothes he had made ran in Harper's Bazaar, and the house has been associated with resort dressing ever since. The prints are the entire product and they were designed for exactly this context: strong sun, blue water, bodies in motion. A pucci bathing suit works because a swimsuit is a small, curved surface, which is the best possible canvas for a kaleidoscopic print that would overwhelm a larger garment. The names matter too, since each print is a distinct archive pattern rather than a seasonal decoration.

Fiamme means flames and is the most graphic of the group, with strong directional shapes. Marmo means marble and reads as a swirled, organic pattern, appearing here on both a full swimsuit and a bikini. Labirinto is the labyrinth print, geometric and maze-like, and the most structured of the five. Iride takes its name from the iris and is the most colourful, appearing on both a swimsuit and a bikini top. Orchidee is the floral and the softest. The silhouettes are simpler than the prints: one-shoulder maillots on the Fiamme and Orchidee, conventional swimsuits on Marmo, Labirinto and Iride, and separates on Marmo and Iride. One-shoulder is the most distinctive shape and the least practical for actual swimming.

If you take one thing away, buy the print you actually like and ignore the silhouette conversation, because these are all well-cut and the pattern is what you are here for. Separates are the more practical purchase because bikini tops and bottoms can be sized independently, which solves the most common fit problem in swimwear. One-shoulder styles are the most photographed and the most likely to leave an uneven tan line, which is a real consideration. Printed swim fabric fades with chlorine and sun cream far faster than plain, so rinse in cold water immediately after every wear. Marmo is the most versatile print here and Labirinto is the boldest.