Are YOU brave enough to wear a slashkini? Stars can’t get enough of summer’s hottest swimwear trend so we sent one brave volunteer to Brighton to find out if it shapes up (with help from a very eager lifeguard)

  • Dubbed the 'slashkini', the cut-out swimsuit is the hottest holiday trend loved by Nadia Forde and Millie Mackintosh
  • The daring design is filtering its way into high street stores, with Lipsy offering one for £35 
  • FEMAIL writer Deni Kirkova headed to Brighton beach clad in the number. But did she like it?

By Bianca London for MailOnline and Deni Kirkova for MailOnline

Published: 02:26 EST, 7 August 2015 | Updated: 03:56 EST, 7 August 2015

It may not be the most practical of designs for tanning but the cut-out swimming costume is fast becoming the hottest swimwear trend of the season.

Dubbed the 'slashkini', the cut-out swimsuit is shaping up to be the celebrity costume du jour - just ask Millie Mackintosh, Nadia Forde and Vogue Williams, who have all rocked the statement piece.

The stars have been championing the one-piece, which has been updated for summer with sliced away sides and scissored sections, on recent getaways to Ibiza and high-end pool parties.

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FEMAIL writer Deni Kirkova road-tested it on Brighton beach
Nadia Forde rocking the trend in Ibiza recently

The 'slashkini', better known as the cut-out swimsuit, is shaping up to be the celebrity costume du jour this summer, with Nadia Forde leading the trend in Ibiza recently (right). FEMAIL writer Deni Kirkova (left) road-tested it on Brighton beach

But can a real woman pull off the quirky swimsuit style on a quintessentially British beach? We sent FEMAIL writer Deni Kirkova, 25, to sunny Brighton to find out.

I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here star Nadia Forde lead the trend during a recent holiday as she soaked up the sunshine at the ME Ibiza hotel in the skimpy statement bikini, which showed off her incredible body.

Millie Mackintosh and Vogue Williams have rocked the daring design, too. Armed with a £35 offering from Lipsy - the exact same style as Nadia Forde - Deni debunked to Brighton to take the style for a spin.

Speaking about the cutaway black design, Deni said: 'I feel much more secure in this slashkini than I do in a bikini - and more covered up! 

'There's something about having your bellybutton covered that makes you look more clothed than you really are. I didn't feel too self-conscious in it as if I might spill or roll out of it. The positioning of the straps was very flattering and curve-accentuating.

'However as a petite 5ft 4in, the body of the size 10 swimsuit was too long for me so my mum offered to shorten it, which was simple enough to do.

'Also - I was slightly anxious about wearing it on the beach for the first time so I made sure to eat light the night before, asking my colleague to stop me form eating anything but cucumber sticks and houmous. That morning, it was black coffee only, until after the pictures!'  

Cameron Rykiel, who works as a lifeguard on Brighton seafront, thought the piece was 'really cool' (pictured with Deni)

Cameron Rykiel, who works as a lifeguard on Brighton seafront, thought the piece was 'really cool' (pictured with Deni)

The lifeguard thought the piece was very attractive
But he noted the unfortunate tan lines it could create

The lifeguard thought the piece was very attractive - but noted the unfortunate tan lines it could create

Luckily for Deni, it was 20 degrees on the shingled beaches of Brighton - but even that wasn't enough to put her completely at ease. Most passers-by commented on the item's unique quality.

Cameron Rykiel, 18, who is originally from Washington DC but now works as a lifeguard on Brighton seafront, thought the piece was 'really cool'.

'You don't see something like that very often on the beach - not that I'm focussed on bikinis,' he said.

'I have to work in a vest and most times I get horrible tan lines. In that swimsuit you're going to have all kinds of spider-web action on your midsection if you stay out in the sun. 

'Saying that, even though it's just a black swimsuit I think it's very attractive. It stands out. I haven't seen something like that before.'

After some fun in the sea near Brighton Pier, Deni skipped over to the Crazy Golf Kiosk for a 99. 

After some fun in the sea near Brighton Pier, Deni - who is a fan of the slashkini - skipped over to the Crazy Golf Kiosk for a 99

After some fun in the sea near Brighton Pier, Deni - who is a fan of the slashkini - skipped over to the Crazy Golf Kiosk for a 99

Emma, who helps run the Crazy Golf Kiosk, said: 'It's aright if you're a size 6 or 8'
Deni felt the positioning of the straps was very flattering and curve-accentuating

Deni felt the positioning of the straps was flattering, while Emma (left), from the Crazy Golf Kiosk, said: 'It's alright if you're a size eight'

Emma, who helps run the establishment, said: 'It's alright if you're a size six or eight but any bigger and you'd have rolls!' 

Passer-by and mother-of-four Claire said: 'I prefer a swimsuit that sucks everything in and fights gravity personally, but I do love that swimsuit. I might have worn it when I was 18!'

Walking through a crowd near the Pier, observant local man Mark decided to snap a photo of the swimwear. 'I think it looks lovely,' he said. 'I've never seen anything like it before.'

Deni said: 'I would wear this again, maybe under some shorts on a night out or to a pool party. If the sun's out I'd say the tan lines aren't worth it!'  

Passer-by and mother-of-four Claire said: 'I prefer a swimsuit that sucks everything in and fights gravity personally, but I do love that swimsuit. I might have worn it when I was 18!'

Passer-by and mother-of-four Claire said: 'I prefer a swimsuit that sucks everything in and fights gravity personally, but I do love that swimsuit. I might have worn it when I was 18!'

Walking through a crowd near the Pier, local man Mark decided to snap a photo of the swimwear
Deni said: 'I feel much more secure in this slashkini than I do in a bikini'

Walking through a crowd near the Pier, observant local man Mark decided to snap a photo of the swimwear

Originally pioneered by Agent Provocateur, the multi-strap costume is now a seriously hot alternative to the standard bikini.

Dodgy tan lines aside, the straps have a contouring effect that draw attention to the smallest part of your waist, while the halter straps and keyhole detail make the best of your assets. 

For those keen to emulate the look, the slashkini is infiltrating the high street. Lipsy dubs its version 'the lattice monokini', which it sells for £35 in black or white.

Describing the item on its website, Lipsy says: 'Whether you're around the pool or on a beach feel glamorous in our range. Make an entrance in this monokini featuring lattice detail, add oversized sunglasses and sandals to complete your glamorous look.'

For a more upmarket offering, Hervé Léger applies its bandage paneling to a £585 figure sculpting swimsuit, whilst Matthew Williams has trialled the trend in a subtle fashion for his Butterfly range at Debenhams. 

Discussing the trend, fashion expert and founder of wantherwardrobe.com, Lydia Jones, said: 'Poolside glam has never been so sexy as it has this summer, with many high street shops replicating the lingerie styles of leading brands such as Agent Provocateur and La Perla. 

'The slashed and cut-out designs of swimsuits and bikinis are the hottest trend for every poolside party this season, whether you're living it up in Marbella or partying the night away in Ibiza. 

'For extra body confidence, Want Her Wardrobe suggests investing in a bandage cut-out swimsuit as this is great for contouring your figure and holding you in at all the right places.'

It girl Vogue Williams, who announced she is separating from Brian McFadden, has also rocked the design
Millie Mackintosh, who works hard to maintain her trim figure, also loves the look and shared a snap of herself modelling a white version

It girl Vogue Williams, who announced she is separating from Brian McFadden, has also been seen rocking the design (left) Millie Mackintosh, who works hard to maintain her trim figure, also loves the look and shared a snap of herself modelling a white version (right)

Dubbed the lattice monokini, the £35 offering from Lipsy is available in black or white
The white version of the Lipsy slashkini
For a more subtle take on the trend, try Butterfly by Matthew William at Debenhams' version (£20 bottoms and £19.60 top)

The slashkini is infiltrating the high street and Lipsy, available online or at House of Fraser, is offering its version - the lattice monokini - for £35 in black or white. For a more subtle take on the trend, try Butterfly by Matthew William at Debenhams (£20 bottoms and £19.60 top)

Deni found that, as a petite 5ft 4in, the body of the size 10 swimsuit was too long
Her mum offered to shorten it, which was simple enough to do

Deni found that, as a petite 5ft 4in, the body of the size 10 swimsuit was too long, so her mum offered to shorten it

Deni said: 'I would wear this again under some shorts on a night out or to a pool party. If the sun's out I'd say the tan lines aren't worth it'

Deni said: 'I would wear this again under some shorts on a night out or to a pool party. If the sun's out I'd say the tan lines aren't worth it'

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