Last summer feels like a very long time ago, doesn't it? Many snowflakes have fallen between now and then, but swimsuit season is coming yet again, and there's been plenty of time for retailers and shoppers to move on from some of the biggest swim trends of 2024. I sat down to review our trend reports from last year's swim season and pinpoint the trends that people are embracing and ditching, and I'm revealing the results about what's still around and what's officially cooling off.
While several themes, from bikini-top silhouettes to specific rises and fabrics, are notably on the decline, there are replacements for each on the horizon. Keep scrolling to find out which are the swimwear trends I think are on the decline this year, plus what styles are replacing them.
On the Decline: Highlighter Hues
On the Rise: Black-and-White Swimsuits
Neon was notably one of the biggest trends in swimwear a few years ago, so chances are pretty high that you, too, owned a highlighter-hued bikini. But this summer, we're going back to the classics and seeing a rise in elegant options in black and white, especially styles with contrast trimming.
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On the Decline: Upside-Down Tops
On the Rise: Balconette Tops
I'll be completely honest. I'm a bit relieved to see those upside-down bikini tops cooling off. I always found wearing them to be annoying since you constantly have to adjust them, and I could never quite figure out how to make my triangle tops look good like that. Instead, I've been stocking my swimwear collection with classic balconette bikinis. The fit is always so good, and they give simple swimsuits a bit of a retro feel.
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On the Decline: Brazilian Bikini Bottoms
On the Rise: Retro Swim Shorts
Skimpy, barely-there micro bikinis definitely had their moment in the sun (and we've documented plenty of them), but just like what's happening for dresses and skirts, swimsuit bottoms are also getting more conservative and a little retro. This summer, though, swimsuit bottoms with more coverage—like, much more coverage—are beginning to trend, and I'd venture to say that these '50s-inspired swim shorts will largely eclipse the former.
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On the Decline: Tie-Dye Swimsuits
On the Rise: Nostalgic Prints
There's no denying that the massive surge we saw in tie dye-print swimwear several summers ago has died down. It's still a cute look, no doubt, but the prints that have everyone buzzing instead are playful, nostalgic prints that remind us of the swimwear of our childhood. In bright, saturated colors, these quirky prints are easily the most fun swim trend of the summer—and for good reason. They spark immediate joy and come in a vast range of colors and varieties.
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On the Decline: Complicated Straps
On the Rise: Low-Back Styles
I've also noticed how swimsuits with complicated, wraparound ties seem to have really tapered off and become less relevant in recent seasons. There will always be a place for swimsuits with unique silhouettes in my mind, which is why I'm excited to see that low-back one-pieces are bubbling up this season. The refined look is such an elegant way to show off some skin and is one you can wear for years to come.
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On the Decline: Smocking
On the Rise: Artful Hardware
There's always one or two of those exceptionally pretty styles that pop each summer. Smocking was a big theme a few years back, and this year's trend is already shaping up to be the coolest yet. Swimsuits with beautiful hardware, whether it be a seashell or spiral motif, are popping up everywhere I look, and the statement pieces basically style themselves—no extra effort needed.
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On the Decline: Sparkly Bikinis
On the Rise: Minimal White Bikinis
Swimwear on the whole is taking on a much more refined and pared-back aesthetic this summer, and that means we're not seeing quite as many of those shimmery styles that once dominated. While I wouldn't say they're out of style at all, I've simply noticed that the fashion set is reaching for simplistic styles over these glam ones lately.
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