I have a theory that the best swimsuit is the one that does two jobs, and VDM built a label on it. It started in Australia, with Allanah Van Der Mey as its early designer, and the first collections pulled from the late 1980s and 1990s with bright color, bold shapes and a real interest in body confidence.

 

Today it is female-founded and co-owned by Maddy Marchesani and Ninh Nguyen, and the reversibles are still the cleverest part. VDM's about page puts it simply: pieces designed to be worn and styled more than one way. I like that it treats swim as a set of choices, tie sides, bandeaus, graphic prints and two colors in a single piece, not one prescribed silhouette. I went deeper on a related idea in Belle Anna Bikinis: The Pieces to Know.

A reversible piece can change the feel of a whole beach look without adding another suit. I would start with the Polly Bikini Top or the Margot Bikini Top, then make the Livi Merlot Reversible Bottom the dark, easy anchor. The Bailey Reversible Bandeau Bikini Top tidies the neckline, and the Delilah Side Tie Bottom gives you ties at the hip to adjust as the day goes on.

 

For color, the Marley Pistachio Reversible Bottom, the Marley Sorbet Reversible Bottom and the Marley Cherry Pop Reversible Bottom pull the palette three different ways, and the Billie Coco Reversible Bikini Bottom keeps things grounded. Picture her leaving the sea for lunch in one of these, adding only a wrap and small gold hoops. My rule is to let one bright side lead and pair it with a quiet top, so the two sides stay useful and not busy.

VDM uses familiar top shapes and leaves the talking to color. The Margot Merlot Underwire Top brings structure, and the Bailey Pistachio Reversible Bandeau is a clean strapless line. I like the Blair run best for its playful palette: the Blair Sorbet Reversible Top, the Blair Cherry Pop Reversible Top, the Blair Sunburst Reversible Top and the Blair Indigo Reversible Top each have a second side, so one swim drawer covers a few moods (and a few excuses to buy another bottom).

 

The Polly Coco Reversible Underwire Top is the one I would pick for an underwire shape in a neutral shade. Picture her packing a light weekend bag with one pair of bottoms, the Blair Indigo Reversible Top flipped to its other color, and a linen shirt for the walk to a beach cafe. What I would skip is a top whose second side repeats the first.

VDM's best idea is also its most useful: a swimsuit that gives you a second way to wear it. I like that the reversibles sit beside a real point of view, with bright color, retro references and an easy path from beach to resort pieces.

 

For a first piece, I would choose the reversible bottom that fits the rest of my swim drawer, then let the second side decide the color story of the next trip. It is a small, thoughtful way to pack. Although I suspect I would still bring both. If you want to keep reading, Capittana Swimwear: The Bikinis to Know is a good next stop.