Behold: Summer's Biggest Swimwear Trends on a Budget

First up on the sartorial agenda this summer: swimwear. Whether you're looking for a bikini or one-piece, there are plenty of seriously chic swim trends, styles, and silhouettes available right now to get us into the summertime spirit.

We know swimwear can get pricey these days (with some suits costing up to $400), but there's no question that you can still look stylish without spending a fortune. Today, we're honing in on the more affordable swim options if you're looking for something trendy and cool that won't cost you your entire paycheck.

Below, I'm rounding up this summer's biggest swimwear trends, all under $100. From terry-cloth bikinis to cutout swimsuits, read on to shop the seven biggest swimwear trends of summer.

Retro Florals

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(Image credit: @amakahamelijnck)

Retro floral swimwear is one of the summer's biggest trends. This year is seeing modern iterations of swimwear that look like they came straight from the '60s, '70s, and '80s. 

Shop the trend:

Cutouts

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(Image credit: @riellibrand)

Cutout swimsuits have been in the limelight for a few seasons now, proving they have real staying power. This year's iterations come in fresh silhouettes, from side cutouts at the midriff to cool keyhole cutouts at the chest, giving the classic swimsuit or bikini a fresh look. 

Shop the trend:

Terry Cloth 

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(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

Time to embrace the towel trend that has been all over our feeds lately. The fashion crowd can't get enough of the retro fabric reminiscent of 1970s poolside glamour. It's fun, fresh, and free-spirited.

Shop the trend:

Strappy Ties

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(Image credit: @ali_tate_cutler)

Super-strappy swimsuits are everywhere this summer. From barely there strings to "midriff floss" ties, there are plenty of alluring styles that are putting thin straps into full focus.

Shop the trend:

Matching Sets

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(Image credit: @laurenegg)

Three-piece swimsuits are having a major moment this summer. To pull off the cool trend, opt for a swimsuit set that includes coordinating pieces such as a skirt, shirt, or sarong in the same print.

Shop the trend:

Glimmer & Shimmer

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(Image credit: @triangl)

Add a little sparkle to your sunny days by the pool. Shimmering swimsuits are trending—we've spotted them on a plethora of fashion girls in every color and cut combination.

Shop the trend:

Textured Fabrics

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(Image credit: @monikh)

From seersucker to crinkled, when it comes to fabrics, sensory textures remain classic and timeless yet altogether on-trend at the same time.

Shop the trend:

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Up next, the 2022 swim report has arrived—here's every trend to know.

Judith Jones
Senior Fashion Market Editor

Judith is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for nearly a decade. Judith started on the Shop Who What Wear team, creating content and managing a team of merchandisers for the Who What Wear shopping app. She later crossed over to the editorial team, where she shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands in her shopping-focused stories and social takeovers. She has become one of the top affiliate earners during her six plus years at Who What Wear. Before working in fashion, Judith was a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) and shared her passion for travel and food. She studied at the prestigious London Academy of Dramatic Arts as well as Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. She later studied fashion merchandising and design, which laid the foundation for her career in fashion.


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