It’s national bikini day today (can these day-scheduling types start to do something useful like announce more Bank Holidays?) and it’s really hot here in London so that means it’s time to don a two-piece. 

So if you’re off on holiday this weekend or going to the British beach – it’s going to be 27°c in the south-east, hurrah! – or just pottering around your back garden, be inspired by the best bikinis of all time. These little numbers are practical but provocative, timely and titillating: seriously, just wait till you see Naomi wear a nipple tassels bikini on the 1993 catwalk.   

Click the gallery to see the best-ever bikinis. Still looking for a bikini to buy? See our top picks of colourful bikinis.