Charli Howard opens up about her inclusive swimwear edit with River Island

If you're shopping for swimwear for your next holiday, then you might want to check out model, writer and entrepreneur Charli Howard's edit for River Island, part of the label's new holiday shop.

Why? Because not only does it pack a lot of attitude - it's fun with 70s vibes and bold prints - it's also size inclusive, a must for feeling confident no matter what your body shape is. In other words it's about positive vibes and celebrating all women. Here, Charli explains why she loves the collection so much.

How did you pick your favourite styles?

I wanted something that felt quite 60s and cute; an old fashioned, glamorous summer. I love the leopard print and I love anything that accentuates your body & curves!

Do you prefer to collaborate with inclusive brands? 

Yes! I think it’s so important to align yourself with brands trying to make an active difference. What I love about RI is that they think about the tiniest details - even down to the labelling, fabrics and not using as many plastic hangers!

It's all about positivity, please can you expand on that?

It was important that we shot the swimwear of a diverse range of bodies. We want all women to wear the pieces and feel confident and beautiful in what they wear. I know a lot of women get scared going to the beach, but these pieces are fun and I hope it encourages you to love the skin you’re in!

Leopard print plunge bikini - £38 at River Island

Leopard print plunge bikini - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=kXQk6%2AivFEQ&mid=38432&u1=hawk-custom-tracking&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.riverisland.com%2Fp%2Fbrown-leopard-chain-detail-plunge-swimsuit-773159" data-link-merchant="click.linksynergy.com"">£38 at River Island

White and gold plunge swimsuit - £40 at River Island

White and gold plunge swimsuit - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=kXQk6%2AivFEQ&mid=38432&u1=hawk-custom-tracking&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.riverisland.com%2Fp%2Fwhite-cut-out-plunge-swimsuit-773849" data-link-merchant="click.linksynergy.com"">£40 at River Island

Yellow checked cropped cardigan - £28 at River Island

Yellow checked cropped cardigan - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=kXQk6%2AivFEQ&mid=38432&u1=hawk-custom-tracking&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.riverisland.com%2Fp%2Fyellow-checkerboard-cropped-shirt-766819" data-link-merchant="click.linksynergy.com"">£28 at River Island

Do you think we're slowly shedding the 'beach body ready' narrative?

I mean… I hope so! It’s so toxic trying to slim yourself down in the hope you feel better on the beach. Being thin doesn’t mean you’ll be beautiful. It’s about loving yourself from within!

What's your favourite piece from the collection?

I genuinely love them all, but I do love the white low cut swimsuit (it makes everyone’s boobs look like a Bond Girl!) and the yellow cardigan set would be gorgeous to grab lunch in or an early dinner.

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.