"When shopping for swimwear, what’s considered “in” is the last thing on my mind. Instead, my thought process is as follows: If I’m paying $90 each for top and bottom separates, they have to, at the very least, last a few seasons. Like most, I tend to shop for swimwear with timelessness and quality top of mind. That said, a bathing suit is an easy way to experiment with your style. At the end of the day, fashion is meant to be fun, and what’s more fun than a shimmery bikini? If you’re about to start the hunt for your go-to suit, look no further than summer’s most popular swimwear trends as a guiding force for your shopping habits.
This Baggy Dad style from Levi’s is a tried-and-true favorite our team swears by, made famous by an effortlessly cool fit and PJ-like comfort.
To get the inside scoop on this year’s trends, we tapped 437’s co-founders, Hyla Nayeri and Andrien Bettio. According to the two, this year’s trends follow fashion’s overarching themes of the moment (read: soft-pink coquette styles and Western-inspired everything). Regardless of trends, both experts agree that opting for cuts that make you feel your best and flatter your body are the most important things to look for.
Ahead, we’ll dive into this summer’s most popular swimwear trends (pun intended), from coquette-core to quiet luxury and more.
1. Coquette
“Feminine hues and detailing will be extremely popular,” notes Nayeri and Bettio. “Think coquette bows, baby pink, etc.” Although the bow craze has slightly slowed since the holiday season, it’s undeniably cute. While the coquette look might feel unrealistic to work into your everyday wardrobe, in swimwear, it’s undeniably cute and much more subtle.
2. Quiet Luxury
Sofia Richie Grainge just released her collaboration with swimwear brand Solid & Striped, which goes to show that quiet luxury (and SRG’s influence!) aren’t slowing down anytime soon. “Popular aesthetics play a huge role in swimwear trends,” note the co-founders—and really, what is the quiet luxury aesthetic if not simple-yet-effective styles? Plain black suits in typical cuts or one-pieces with chic detailing are forever timeless and worth the splurge.
3. Sporty
If sporty swim looks weren’t on your summer swim trends bingo card, join the club. Although it feels as though sporty-inspired swim is coming out of left field, it’s quite the opposite. Swimwear should be two things: cute and practical, with the latter being largely more important. In these styles, you get the best of both worlds. Swimwear you can actually swim in? Sign us up.
4. Boho Inspired
The next era predicted to make a fashion comeback? The ’70s. There’s no doubt that pop culture moments have a fashion effect—hello, Daisy Jones and the Six—and coupled with the return of crochet looks, flouncy blouses, and flared jeans, it only makes sense that boho-inspired swim is trending for this summer. Specifically, you’ll see the ’70s influence in balconette style tops, extra high-wasted bottoms, and boy-short cuts.
5. High Shine
Since last year, metallics have continued to live at the top of the trend hierarchy, so it only it makes sense that it’s also popular in swim. From fully metallic suits to swimwear with muted tones dusted with sparkles, high-shine bikinis are a fun way to make a statement. Heading to a tropical destination with lots of nightlife? These are suits to bring in your carry-on.
6. Western
This ain’t Texas, it’s the pool. Coupled with Beyoncé’s influence, Western wear is about to get even bigger (if that’s possible). “Western style is a huge trend,” note the founders, so expect to see “everything from plaids and denim for a more literal take on the trend, to [things] like ‘coastal cowgirl’ with a slightly more cutesy approach.”
Kaitlin Clapinski, Contributing Fashion Writer
Kaitlin is a Los Angeles-based writer who covers celebrity style, current trends, and everything else fashion-related. You can find more of her work in Marie Claire, Editorialist, The Zoe Report, and i-D Magazine, among others.