Some labels shout. Matteau has never needed to. Its pieces are simple, considered and quietly exact: the kind of clothes you reach for on repeat, season after season, until they feel like your own.
It's also one of the labels we're asked about most. Here is everything you need to know about Matteau, from its signature pieces to how its sizing works, and how to shop it pre-loved.
A name made of water
The name says a lot. Matteau joins matt, as in not shiny, with eau, the French word for water. It's a fitting start for a label that began with swimwear. Sisters Ilona Hamer and Peta Heinsen launched Matteau in 2015, after setting out to find, and then make, the perfect black bikini. It has since grown into a full ready-to-wear label.
The brand describes its ethos simply: to be simple and considered. Pieces are humble, without artifice, and designed to last a lifetime. Matteau works in close partnership with its Australian manufacturers, and the result is a silhouette that's instantly recognisable without ever relying on a logo.
The pieces to look for
Matteau's swimwear is where most people start. The maillots are among its best-known shapes: the Petite Square Maillot, the Nineties Maillot and the Balconette Maillot, all cut clean and simple. They're the swimsuits that look as right at a long lunch as they do in the water.
Beyond swim, the label has built a wardrobe around the same restraint:
- Dresses: fluid slip dresses, tiered sundresses and broderie styles that work from beach to dinner.
- Shirting: the Long Sleeve Silk Shirt and the Classic Stripe Shirt, cut generously.
- Tailoring and trousers: relaxed pleat trousers and drawstring pants in natural fibres.
- Resort pieces: the Djellaba and easy tunics, made for long, warm days.
Stylist Tessa Law put it well when we asked her for the one summer dress worth owning: "Matteau does this well." And when designer Innes Heywood showed her first swim collection at Sydney Fashion Week, she chose to wear pre-loved Matteau from The Harmonic.
How Matteau sizing works
Matteau uses its own numbered sizes. Clothing runs from 1 to 7, and the conversion is straightforward:
| Matteau | AU / UK | US | EU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 2 | 34 |
| 2 | 8 | 4 | 36 |
| 3 | 10 | 6 | 38 |
| 4 | 12 | 8 | 40 |
| 5 | 14 | 10 | 42 |
| 6 | 16 | 12 | 44 |
| 7 | 18 | 14 | 46 |
Swimwear runs from 1 to 5 on the same scale. Matteau designs its swimsuits to fit snugly, with a little compression so they don't bag or wrinkle when wet. If you prefer a softer fit, the brand suggests going one size up. You'll find the full details in Matteau's own size guide.
On every Matteau piece we list, you'll find the size on the label, the Australian size it best fits, and the condition, so you can buy with confidence.
Pre-loved or new with tags?
At The Harmonic, you can shop Matteau two ways.
Our pre-loved Matteau comes from private wardrobes. Each piece is inspected and photographed in our studio, with its condition listed in full.
Our Matteau Archive is something different: past-season and archival styles sent to us directly by Matteau, every piece new with tags. It's a partnership we're proud of, and a way for a label we love to give its archive a second chance instead of letting it sit unworn.
“Matteau was one of the first labels we fell in love with. It's everything we believe in: beautifully made, never led by trends, and designed to be worn for years. Being able to offer its archive, new with tags, alongside pre-loved pieces feels like the circle closing.”
— Libby Robinson, Co-Founder of The Harmonic
Why Matteau suits a second life
The things that make Matteau beautiful are the same things that make it last. Natural fibres, a timeless cut, and no trend to date it. A Matteau maillot from a few seasons ago looks as considered today as the day it was made.
That's exactly what we look for at The Harmonic: pieces made well enough to be worn and loved more than once.
Shop pre-loved Matteau → · Shop the Matteau Archive → · Shop Matteau archive swim, new with tags →