At a certain point I knew what I found fantastic when it came to swimwear, and Maygel Coronel had it all. The most beautiful pieces had ruffles and unusual lines. I also increasingly discovered that, aesthetically, I found South American brands gorgeous. So I went searching online for, among other things, the best swimwear designers according to the big fashion experts. That's how I came across the brand Maygel Coronel in a list, characterised by unusual lines and lots and lots of ruffles.
Maygel Coronel; the brand
The brand is named after its founder. Maygel is from Colombia, where their atelier is still located and where they have a gorgeous flagship store. They also source their fabrics from Colombia or from Italy, where her husband is from. She's known for her feminine silhouettes and playing with ruffles (rouches). She doesn't just make swimwear, she also makes clothing from the same material. The swimwear is available in three sizes; petite, one size and extended. It's a bit of a challenge to get the brand here in the Netherlands, especially if you want a size other than one size. Nevertheless, the brand is gaining more and more ground in Europe, so availability is slowly increasing.
Kai
This was the first two-piece I saw from the brand, and what made me fall in love with the brand. The top is completely over the top 😉 and you couldn't wish for more ruffles. Kai is available in multiple colours, and via Maygel Coronel itself, in multiple sizes. What I love most about this set is that you can also wear the top without it looking like swimwear. When we were out on Zakynthos, in one day I got several compliments on my Kai bikini in the colour brick. People were especially surprised to hear it was a bikini and not 'just' a top. I bought the Kai Two Piece in the sale at Brulee Beachwear.
Kai Two-Piece, in the colour black, Maygel Coronel, €145,- via Brulee Beachwear
Nereida
Then came the winter sale of 2022/2023. To (almost) my shame, three bikini sets from Maygel Coronel were added that January. It started with ordering the Nereida. A black bikini, much more minimalist than the Kai bikini, and therefore also a bit more practical. The bottom has a higher waist and a higher leg cut, for a sexier look. The top ties at the back, and on the left shoulder there's a flower shaped out of fabric. Because of the colour and the fit, a beautiful deep neckline, I love wearing this bikini and I'd recommend it to anyone.
Nereida Two Piece, in black or off white, Maygel Coronel, €216,- via Maygel Coronel
Odina
What a fantastic model this is. Fortunately the model is still for sale, and right now it's even for sale for a really nice price at Matches. Maygel Coronel itself also still has the Odina available, but only in black and off white now. The two seasonal colours Grotta Blue and Fiaba pink are unfortunately sold out through them. Sometimes you can still find the model in those colours wandering around online, but then you have to search carefully.
Odina in the colour Grotta blue has a bandeau top, with thin straps, and has three shaped flowers on the front. I found ordering it really exciting, but when I put it on I had to giggle with excitement. What a lovely, hysterical bikini, again with a gorgeous fit. On this fabric (a bit shiny) you can eventually see where you, uh, sweat. The Kai and Nereida don't have that, because of their colour and a different fabric. Looking for an unusual bikini? Then I really recommend this one.
Odina Two Piece, in black, Maygel Coronel, €318,- via Net A Porter
Atenas
Maygel Coronel released a collection in which she made a lot of use of a kind of mother-of-pearl stones in her swimwear and other items. It didn't seem all that practical to me, so I didn't want to order it for too much money. Matches had a good sale, and on top of the sale price I also got an extra discount. In the end I ordered the bikini for 75 euros via Matches. The Atenas has a bottom with a high waist and again a somewhat higher leg cut. The fabric is similar to that of the Odina. There's a subtle shimmer to it.
The straps run from front to back across your back. I wear the straps crossed at the back, but that's not required. I cross them because I feel like the top then gives me just a bit more support for my boobies. To my surprise, I don't feel the stones on my back at all while wearing it, and the bikini sits really comfortably.
Atenas Two-Piece, in Bolero pink, Maygel Coronel, €89,- via Saks Fifth Avenue
Caan
Then my most recent addition, which I'd been keeping an eye on for a few months already. Because of the colour, black, and the model, bandeau. Except I've made a deal with myself that I buy bikinis for a maximum of around 100 euros, regardless of the brand. When Caan then went on sale, I patiently waited until the site would offer an extra discount on sale products. That way I could order Caan via Matches for 83 euros. It's a bottom with a higher waist, but not a higher leg cut. This makes it a somewhat more covering bottom and a bit more conservative. I feel really comfortable in it. The top is genuinely gorgeous. The model is simple, but because of the twisted knot in the middle at the chest and the twisted strap on the left shoulder, it's just that little bit different.
Caan Two-Piece, in black, Maygel Coronel, €104,- via Matches
Maygel Coronel; to wrap up
Do I have too many bikinis? Absolutely. Do I spend too much money on them? Probably. Except every single time I go to the beach or lie by the pool, I feel incredibly confident and it feels like a celebration. I think it's important to invest in beautiful, nice swimwear, because that's when you walk around feeling most confident while wearing relatively little clothing.
Just a few tips. First of all, look closely at the size charts before making a choice on size. More and more websites offer the three size options, but far from all of them do.
Maygel Coronel pieces mostly go on sale twice a year, and some pieces even end up in the outlet. In that outlet they're then offered with easily 60-80% off the original price. Search carefully online for where it's cheapest to order!
Lastly, have lots of fun with these gorgeous swimwear pieces, and wear them to your heart's content.
