When I’m shopping for swimwear, what’s considered “in” is the last thing that comes to mind. Instead, my thought process is this: If I’m paying $90 each for tops and bottoms, they need to last at least a few seasons. Like most, I buy swimwear with a focus on timelessness and quality. However, a swimsuit is an easy way to experiment with your style. At the end of the day, fashion is supposed to be fun, and what’s more fun than a shimmery bikini? When you’re looking for your favorite suit, look no further than summer’s most popular swimwear trends to guide your shopping habits.
To get some insight into this year’s trends, we reached out to 437 co-founders Hyla Nayeri and Andrien Bettio. According to the two, this year’s trends follow the overarching current fashion themes (read: soft pink flirty styles and anything inspired by Western clothing). Regardless of trends, both experts agree that the most important thing is to look for cuts that make you feel good and flatter your body.
Below, we tackle this summer’s most popular swimwear trends (pun intended), from flirty core to understated luxe and more.
1. Coquette
“Feminine tones and details will be extremely popular,” note Nayeri and Bettio. “Think flirty bows, baby pink, etc.” Although the craze for bows has died down a bit since the holiday season, it’s undeniably cute. Although the flirty look may seem unrealistic in your everyday wardrobe, it is undeniably cute and much more subtle in swimwear.
2. Quiet luxury
Sofia Richie Grainge just released her collaboration with swimwear brand Solid & Stripes, showing that calm, luxury-influenced looks (and SRG’s influence!) aren’t going away any time soon. “Popular aesthetics play a big role in swimwear trends,” the co-founders note – and what exactly is the quiet luxury aesthetic aside from simple but effective styles? Simple black suits in typical cuts or one-piece suits with chic details are forever timeless and worth buying.
3. Sporty
If sporty swim looks weren’t on your summer swim trend bingo card, join the club. Although it may feel like a sports-inspired swimmer comes out of nowhere, the opposite is true. Swimwear should be two things: cute and practical, with the latter being far more important. In these styles you get the best of both worlds. Swimwear you can actually swim in? Register with us.
4. Boho-inspired
Is a fashion comeback predicted for the next era? The 70s. There’s no doubt that pop culture moments have a fashion impact – hello, Daisy Jones and the Six – and coupled with the return of crochet looks, ruffled blouses and flared jeans, it only makes sense that boho-inspired swimwear is on trend this summer. The 70s influence can be seen particularly in balconette-style tops, particularly wide-cut bottoms and boys’ short cuts.
5. High shine
Since last year, metallic colors have continued to be at the top of the trend hierarchy, so it only makes sense that they’re popular in the swimming sector too. From all-metallic suits to swimwear in muted tones with glitter dust, high-shine bikinis are a fun way to make a statement. Heading to a tropical destination with lots of nightlife? These are suits that allow you to carry your carry-on luggage.
6. Westerns
This isn’t Texas, this is the pool. Combined with Beyoncé’s influence, western clothing is only getting bigger (if that’s possible). “Western style is a huge trend,” note the founders. So expect to see “everything from plaid and denim for a more literal take on the trend, to things like Coastal Cowgirl with a slightly cuter approach.”
