L*SPACE vs Frankies Bikinis: California Swim Showdown

There is something about California swim brands that just hits different. Maybe it is the year-round sunshine baked into the design, or the fact that these women genuinely live in their own product. L*SPACE and Frankies Bikinis both come from that world, but after wearing plenty of both, I can tell you they serve very different customers.

Aesthetic

L*SPACE is the quiet confidence of the group. Clean lines, muted tones, classic silhouettes that do not scream for attention but always look polished. Think Malibu farmers market, iced matcha, no make-up. Frankies is louder, and I mean that as a compliment. Bold prints, crochet details, fun cuts, collaborations with everyone from Haim to Barbie. If your swimwear is part of your outfit and your content, Frankies understands the assignment.

Quality and Construction

Both brands use decent fabrics, but they are not equal here. L*SPACE consistently delivers thick, well-lined pieces that hold their colour season after season. The hardware is solid, the stitching tight. Frankies can be a little hit-or-miss depending on the collection. Some pieces feel genuinely premium, others feel like you are paying for the name and the marketing. The collab pieces in particular can lean more towards novelty than durability. I have had an L*SPACE bikini survive three summers of salt water. My Frankies crochet top did not make it through one.

Price

L*SPACE sits at roughly £60 to £120 per piece, which feels fair for the quality. Frankies ranges from £70 to £150, with collaboration and limited-edition pieces climbing higher. Pound for pound, L*SPACE offers better value. But Frankies has that resale appeal on Depop if you catch a popular collab early, which is its own kind of investment.

The Instagram Factor

Let us be real, this matters. Frankies wins on pure scroll-stopping power. The brand knows exactly how to create a moment, and wearing Frankies feels like being part of something. L*SPACE photographs beautifully too, but in a subtler way. It is the brand people DM you to ask about. Frankies is the brand people already recognise in your photo.

Who Should Buy What

If you want swimwear that lasts, looks elegant, and works from beach to bar without trying too hard, L*SPACE is your brand. If you want the piece that gets the comments, the one that feels fun and current and a little bit extra, Frankies delivers that energy. Personally, my everyday rotation is L*SPACE. My holiday statement piece is Frankies. There is room for both, but if I could only pick one wardrobe to build, I would start with L*SPACE and add Frankies as the mood takes me.