Prediction: This Unexpected Swim Trend Will Be Everywhere by June 21

It's hard to even broach the topic of swimwear when, as I sit down to write this, I'm wearing two sweaters and curled up with a cup of tea, but here we are. Perhaps I'm looking forward to the warmer months to come to get my mind off the current winter climate, but if we're really being honest here, I've been anticipating the return of swim season since I said goodbye to my tan lines back in the fall. But summer will be here eventually, and by that time I fully plan on having my swimsuit drawer stocked up with the freshest 2019 swim trends.

Are you with me? Good, because there's one swim trend, in particular, that I can't stop thinking about: surf swimwear, and really anything inspired by surf culture, from rash guards and board shorts to regular bikinis with a sporty or technical influence. Seeing as surf-, skate-, and cycling-inspired fashion is starting to bubble up for spring and summer (see tourist sandals, tie-dye, and bike shorts, obvi), surf-inspired swimwear is only a natural extension.

Even if you never plan on trying your hand at surfing, the sun protection these technical pieces provide is a major perk for your skin. As such, Australians have been the first to embrace the surf swim trend for two major reasons. Firstly, their summer is during our winter (aka right now), so they always lead by a season ahead of us in the swim category, and secondly, the ozone layer has thinned Down Under, requiring that Aussies get serious about their sun protection. Enter tech swimwear.

Keep reading to see and shop the surf-inspired swim trend now (before all your friends eventually do).

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Next, all the new bikini trends to put on your radar.

Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.