Buh-Bye, Thong 'Kinis—These Cheeky Bottoms Are Way Better, and Here's How Cool Girls Are Styling Them

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@cocoschiffer, @meganadelaide, and @mv.tiangue styling swim shorts.
(Image credit: @cocoschiffer; @meganadelaide; @mv.tiangue)
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Maybe you've noticed the recent shift in vibe, but in case you've missed it, there's been a development in swimwear bottoms. Well, it's not entirely new; rooted in 1950s silhouettes with a touch of Y2K surfer girl (I recently rewatched Blue Crush), swim shorts have become a hot ticket item for summer 2026 attire. If you've already accepted this sporty style into your wardrobe but are still questioning how to style it, read on.

Ahead, three editor- and It girl-approved ways to wear swim shorts on your next vacation. Be warned, we're leaning heavily into the surfer aesthetics. Scroll on for inspiration, plus the best of the bikini shorts swimwear trends.

3 Ways to Style Swim Shorts in 2026

Surfer Chic

@meganadelaide wearing swim shorts and a jersey

(Image credit: @meganadelaide)

Monochrome

@cocoschiffer wearing swim shorts and a bikini top

(Image credit: @cocoschiffer)

Mix-and-Match

@mv.tiangue wearing swim shorts and a striped bikini top

(Image credit: @mv.tiangue)

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Josephine Hadjiloucas
Josephine Hadjiloucas
Assistant Shopping Editor

Josephine Hadjiloucas is a New York–based writer. She first interned at Who What Wear UK in 2024 and later joined Who What Wear U.S. as an assistant shopping editor after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2025. When she isn’t covering the latest Gen Z trends or updating her under-$100 Nordstrom wish list, you can find her browsing the racks of NYC’s best vintage stores or rewatching Moonstruck for the 50th time. “Snap out of it!”