Problem with $470 Gucci bathers ... they can’t ‘come into contact with chlorine’

THERE are bathers ... and then there are Gucci bathers. The Italian fashion house has confused shoppers with a pricey one-piece that you can’t actually get wet.

Gucci's controversial $470 swimsuit ... that isn’t actually functional. Picture: Gucci

THERE are bathers ... and then there are Gucci bathers.

With Australia’s swimsuit season only months away, the Italian fashion house has confused online shoppers with a $470 one-piece that you can’t actually get wet.

Gucci’s so-called “sparkling swimsuit” is made of 80 per cent nylon and 20 per cent elastane.

The catch? The sold-out racer-back togs can’t “come into contact with chlorine”.

“Due to the nature of this particular fabric, this swimsuit should not come into contact with chlorine,” a statement on Gucci’s website says, in the pricey item’s product description.

Gucci's controversial $470 bathers, as styled on its website. Picture: Gucci

So where can you wear them? Picture: Gucci

Gucci styled the bathers with a biker-style leather jacket and a pair of high-waisted denim jeans, along with a gold crown (as you do).

The strange swimwear is not the first item Gucci has stocked that has raised eyebrows.

Gucci is currently selling a $350 stretch-knit headband (aka a tennis-style sweatband) and a $255 wool balaclava.

It is also pushing the bum bag trend, with a $950 version dubbed the “belt bag”, and a $650 hot pink leather baseball cap.

For the frill of it ... Gucci showed its spring/summer 2019 collection in Paris today. Picture: Getty Images for Gucci

If the crown fits ... Picture: Getty Images for Gucci

An ode to Dolly Parton. Picture: Getty Images for Gucci

Meantime, Gucci showed its spring/summer 2019 collection in Paris today, at a show attended by Jared Leto, Salma Hayek and Petra Collins.

According to US Vogue, it featured “Janis Joplin–inspired hats and a sleeveless denim jacket painted with Dolly Parton’s face and name on the back”.

Thankfully, the runway did not seem to feature any bathers.

White hot. Picture: Getty Images for Gucci

In the shade. Picture: Getty Images for Gucci

She’s red-y. Picture: Getty Images for Gucci

Purple reign. Picture: Getty Images for Gucci

Gucci muse Jared Leto. Picture: Getty Images for Gucci