As with many great success stories, it all began with a woman full of new ideas. After finishing her studies at the Sorbonne, Irène Leroux took over her family’s swimwear shop and set about giving it a new lease of life.

A sales assistant presents an Eres swimsuit in the original Paris boutique
Where it all began: a family shop taken over and reinvented

At the time, swimwear was strictly seasonal—available only at the first hint of summer. Irène Leroux, however, set out to sell it all year round, even designing pieces for the lucky few heading off on winter sun holidays.

A woman wears a silk-satin Eres nightdress by a bedroom window
The silk-satin nightdress: delicate straps and a fluid drape
Close-up of a strap and lace detail on the shoulder of an Eres nightdress
Satin, lace and spaghetti straps: the detail that changes everything

Success came quickly, and young Mademoiselle Leroux had more than one trick up her sleeve: she did away with underwires, boning, heavy lines and uncomfortable fabrics to offer her customers a new generation of swimwear. To do this, she adopted the era’s newly launched material, Lycra, and designed light, discreet, elegant and soft lines for swimwear that felt like a second skin—stylish and comfortable.

A woman emerges from the water in a black Eres one-piece
Lycra as a second skin: a black swimsuit with invisible lines
A woman sits on a bed wearing a beige Eres lingerie set
A beige lingerie set: subtle lace and everyday comfort

Eres’s reputation crossed the Atlantic, and the American department stores Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys began stocking the brand.

In the early 1980s, Eres expanded its range with beach skirts, sarongs, beach shirts and other accessories to complete the beach looks of affluent fashionistas with a taste for perfection. Within about a decade, the brand became a must-have on beaches far beyond France.

A woman on the beach wears an Eres swimsuit and a voile sarong
Voile sarong and one-piece: the 1980s beach look

In 1996, Chanel acquired Eres; the following year, Eres launched a lingerie line in keeping with its swimwear: design-led, modern, feminine and pared back.

A woman seen from behind wears a sleek black Eres lingerie set
Sleek lingerie: the Eres line in the 1990s

But enough history—on to the collections! Something to look forward to as we dream of our first steps on warm sand…

A woman walks by the water in an Eres triangle bikini with openwork trims
Triangle bikini, low-rise briefs and openwork trims

Flattering fabric of impeccable quality, a triangle top and low-rise briefs, spaghetti straps and openwork trims on both top and bottom: the swimsuit is both incredibly simple and ultra chic—proof that you don’t need to go overboard to look great.

A woman seen from behind in an Eres one-piece with tied straps
The retro one-piece: gathered bust and tied straps

Eres is also the art of the one-piece: a touch retro, perfectly on-trend and effortlessly sexy, even without revealing the navel. We love its simple colourways, gathered bust and straps that tie behind the neck.

A woman in a purple Eres one-piece with eyelets and side lacing
Purple swimsuit with eyelets and lacing at the sides

Minimalist straps, a purple that looks perfect against tanned skin, eyelets at the sides where the drawstrings tie and a beautifully flattering shape: a sleek, elegant swimsuit that’s original and classy. We adore it!

A seated woman wears a black Eres one-piece with a rounded neckline
Black one-piece with a rounded neckline and fine straps

The comfort of a one-piece, the refinement of clothing and the neckline of a bikini: we love the fine straps, the rounded neckline, the chic of black and its perfect lines.

A woman on a dune wears a belted purple Eres kaftan over swimwear
The purple voile kaftan, belted, to wear over swimwear

This one-piece swimsuit has a bustier-style top: straps are out, while lacing and eyelets at the neckline are in—original and fashion-forward. A word of warning, though: this style is best suited to smaller busts rather than fuller busts, which will prefer a cut offering better support.

A beach essential: a floaty cotton-voile kaftan to throw nonchalantly over swimwear—this one in purple and violet, with a belt to define the waist. We can already imagine the lightness and softness of this lovely piece!

Coral and silk satin for this triangle bra with delicate details. Spaghetti straps, Calais lace and a lustrous fabric: summer will be hot and bright with Eres.

A pin-up set with a vintage feel: a balconette bra edged with tulle, high-waisted briefs and a pearl-grey colourway printed with white motifs—a set that’s full of charm and delightfully retro.

A silk-satin nightdress in luminous lemon yellow, with fine straps and embroidered tulle, comes together to make it the lingerie piece of the moment, in the colour of the moment… what more could you ask for?

The casual style, covered in extra-soft lace, with impeccable support, flattering fabric and assured comfort, all sprinkled with pretty vintage lace in an ecru shade: a bralette on top and a shorty brief below—easy, feminine underwear at its best.

Sleek lines as always, a triangle bra free of frills, a shorty with minimal seams, but a sheer marl-blue tulle whose originality and smoky effect we love.

Sleek lines, flattering cuts, shaping fabrics and softness: it’s well known that Eres is the Rolls-Royce of swimwear and lingerie. But at Eres they love bows, frills and lace—never without comfort and discretion, and never without the touch of originality and modernity inherent to the brand. As you’ll have gathered, this delicious cocktail of qualities has earned it well-deserved success—and that’s certainly true of these utterly feminine pieces, renowned as far as the United States and now part of the Chanel house.

Budget

When it comes to budget, expect to pay around £215–£340 for a one-piece swimsuit and £170–£300 for a two-piece, depending on the cut and season. In lingerie, bras sit between £75 and £155, and complete sets between £130 and £255. These ranges vary according to fabric, level of finish and collection; pieces are available in boutiques, at department stores such as Harrods and Selfridges, on the brand’s own website, and occasionally at outlet stores. For a first purchase, try pieces on in the fitting room before ordering online: with Eres, getting the right size is half the battle.