Editors Discuss Every Major Swim Trend to Know This Summer on the WWW Podcast
Welcome to our podcast, Who What Wear With Hillary Kerr. Think of it as your direct line to the designers, stylists, beauty experts, editors, and tastemakers who are shaping the fashion-and-beauty world. Subscribe to Who What Wear With Hillary Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
On this week's episode of Who What Wear With Hillary Kerr, Editorial Director Lauren Eggertsen and Poosh's content director, Michelle Scanga, are here to give you the lowdown on the biggest swimwear trends of 2022. From the most controversial styles to the anti-trend pieces they believe everyone should have in their closets, these two swimsuit lovers are the ones to listen to if you want the tea on the styles you'll be seeing everywhere this summer. Below, you'll see some highlights of what they had to say, but be sure to listen here for the full rundown of every major swim trend to know this summer.
I'm really excited to talk about swim trends for summer 2022. Let's start with some general overall themes, trends, and looks that you're into.
Lauren Eggertsen: First up this summer, we're really seeing high shine and glitter pop. We love this trend because it applies to all kinds of silhouettes, as it's really all about either that textured glitter look or that really rich and silky material. Celeb- and editor-approved brands to shop for this trend are Isa Boulder and Oséree.
Another trend we're seeing that's a bit more niche is tanks, shorts, and tankinis. It's kind of more for that nostalgic, throwback sort of a feel. Think tankinis and little booty shorts with matching swim skirts. Frankie's Bikinis and Triangl do a really nice, more full-coverage short moment, but you can still pair those with a tiny bikini top to get the best of both worlds.
Excellent. What else should we be looking for?
Michelle Scanga: Oh for sure, I have thoughts. I'm playing off of what Lauren said with the high shine and glitter—we're seeing a lot of rich materials and rich moments like the shine and gemstone colors like a deep emerald or ruby hue. Cult Gaia's swimwear is so beautiful and plays into a lot of this. We're also seeing a lot of hardware with gold chains or loops just to kind of lean into that rich, elegant sort of vibe.
Another trend that we're seeing is one that we've coined "happy prints," which is all of the fun retro prints such as big florals and fun '70s mix-and-match prints on swimsuits. And then one other trend to call out is different scoopy silhouettes. This includes super, super deep, low-cut backs on one-pieces that maybe have a nice side-boob situation, which is always elegant but then a little bit sexy as well.
Shop the trend:
Okay, so what about when it comes to styling? Are there any key moments? Are you seeing anything bubbling up for this season?
LE: The first one we saw really come about last summer, but it's still going strong and is continuing to evolve: coordinating looks. We're talking about a full head-to-toe matching situation. So you have your swimsuit that could be a print or a color, and brands are now offering a matching, button-down shirt, swim cardigan, miniskirt, or even a bucket hat. In terms of coverage, if you're nervous about trends and you're nervous about showing skin, this is an amazing way to participate in current swim trends because you could show up to the beach wearing a full-on outfit with just your wrist exposed, and you'd still look like the best dressed person there.
Shop the trend:
LE: Next, we have what's a little more of a micro-trend that we're seeing: layered bikinis. A couple of brands that I've noticed have already been doing it and are selling this as one item are Same Swim and Christopher Esber. So to visualize it, it quite literally looks like you're wearing two string bikinis at once. You can either buy the bikini that is made like that, or a little fun DIY hack is to just go on Amazon and get two bikinis of the same style, and layer them together.
Michelle, can you tell us a little bit about some of the more controversial swim trends—ones that will make people feel a way one way or the other?
MS: First, we have the skimpy one-piece situation Paris Hilton rocked in the early 2000s with the super-big cutouts to the point where I don't even know if we can call it a one-piece because it's basically barely any material. We'll see some of those on the beach, maybe even some celebs supporting it.
Next, obviously, the teeny bikinis. I feel like, at this point, teeny bikinis are just a staple, but that's a personal opinion. That leads to the loincloth trend, which I know Who What Wear talks about a lot. It's the super-teeny string bikini bottom that you can scrunch as small or expand as far as you want for more or less coverage. A brand that does that really well is Monica Hansen swimwear.
Shop the trend:
Because we like to give multiple sides and really report out a story, what is the opposite of a controversial trend? What is an anti-trend?
LE: Anti-trend, as a term, is something we definitely coined on Who What Wear. We have reverted to a simpler way of dressing and placing value and investing in the classics and basics. It sounds contradictory that a basic could be trending, but that's the idea here. We've all noticed the "clean girl" aesthetic that's trending on Instagram and TikTok, which is all about really simple pieces—a white button-down, a relaxed trouser, a tank top, nice classic straight-leg denim. You see a girl walking down the street wearing that, and you know that she looks current and fresh while not wearing a single trend. This concept also applies to swimwear.
With that being said, there are some specific styles that really play into this anti-trend swimwear moment. One is the high-leg one-piece. I think this is such an amazing shape on so many body types. It can be just a classic tank with a scoop back, but I think that higher-cut leg really complements a more full-coverage suit. Investing in black or even a chocolate brown is never going to go out of style, and it looks so chic all the time. Everyone should have a triangle bikini if they feel confident in that style. It will never go away, and the same with underwire bikinis. This is my favorite style as someone who really feels confident with more support on top.
Shop the trend:
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Next up, check out our previous episode featuring our very own Who What Wear editors on the biggest wedding trends of 2022.
Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director of Who What Wear and has worked at the company for over eight years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the fashion editorial space, starting her career with internships at Marc Jacobs, Marie Claire, and The Zoe Report, where she was later hired as their editorial assistant. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New York Who What Wear offices but currently calls L.A. home. It is here where she leads and manages Who What Wear's fashion team and oversees all day-to-day editorial content and large tentpole moments. This includes all of the runway, trend, and shopping-driven content that ultimately helps to build a strong brand reputation within the industry. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many of the celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Kaia Gerber, Normani, and Kristen Stewart.
She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, Milan, and Paris, where her personal style has been featured on sites such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Elle. She prides herself on discovering and supporting small brands and on her knack for a good vintage shopping find. When she isn't working, she enjoys researching and dining at reputable restaurants around both her neighborhood and the globe.
-
I'm in My 20s—Here Are 6 Style Lessons I Learned to Look More Polished and Grown-Up
Sophisticated styling 101.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
8 Copenhagen Street Style Trends I Plan to Replicate in New York
Pared back yet never boring.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
I'm From Miami—4 Affordable Swimwear Brands I Reach For Every Summer
Let bikini season begin.
By Ana Escalante
-
Everything We Tried and Loved From Laura Harrier's Reformation Collab
Plus, listen to Harrier on The Who What Wear Podcast.
By Eliza Huber
-
Crochet Season Is Here: These Are the Best Dresses, Swimsuits, and Bags for Summer
The unofficial texture of summer.
By Caitlin Burnett
-
Every Chic European Woman Is Wearing This Sub-$50 Swimwear Trend
A South of France favorite.
By Ana Escalante
-
The 24 Best Swimsuits in Every Summer Color Trend
Feast your eyes on these bikinis and one-pieces.
By Allyson Payer
-
Our Editors Share the 2024 Met Gala Moments That Captured Their Attention
Jaws dropped.
By Natalie Gray Herder