With temperatures rising worldwide, now is the time when we’re all collectively yearning to be by the water. But unless you’re lucky enough to live right by the coast, chances are you have to make a road trip to the beach, find a nearby pool, or book a vacation to a far-off island. The logistics that go into planning time by the water can be so exhausting that the last thing you want to do is stress about what to wear. You’ll have to wear a swimsuit but after that? All bets are off.
Discerning how to make your beach, pool, or vacation outfits feel as trend-forward as possible requires more guidance. Luckily for you, that’s what I’m here for. Keeping up with swimwear trends may seem overwhelming, but I will let you in on a little secret: You don’t have to buy a new swimsuit every summer to feel stylish. Instead, get creative with your styling. A few cute accessories (with the occasional ready-to-wear item) can transform the swimwear sitting in the back of your closet in a split second.
Don’t believe me? Ahead, I’m sharing the seven biggest trends stylish women are pairing with their swimwear this summer. After doing hours of image research from Instagram and spring/summer 2023 runway collections, I determined these pieces will dominate beaches around the world. Consider this your blueprint for creating the perfect beach-bound look without breaking a sweat.
In case you missed our previous reporting, let us set the record straight: big bracelets are back. We saw a massive tidal wave of S/S 23 collections featuring the formerly “dated” jewelry style, and that surge wasn’t limited to the landscape of the runway. A quick scroll through social media can confirm that bracelets are not only back, but they’re beach-bound. We’ve seen the fashion set take to styling every possible version of this jewelry in every type of way—from pairing single sculptural cuffs with minimal one-pieces to stacking colorful layered resin bracelets with printed bikinis to layering metal bangles with beach coverups. In short, it’s very much a thing this season, so if you happen to be heading out to the coast, there’s no harm in adding some stacks on.
Re-create the trend:
Lizzie Fortunato
Ridge Resin Cuff Bracelet
Resin bangles will be everywhere for the rest of the summer.
Monday Swimwear
Sardinia One Piece in Chili Pepper
Zara
Pack of Metal Bracelets
Don’t be afraid to stack ’em on.
Follow Suit
The Izzy Top in Tangerine Tango
Alexis Bittar
Large Molten Hinge Bracelet
Aquamanile
Heather Bikini Top
Opt for a metallic suit if you want to tap into the mermaidcore aesthetic.
Pair with the matching Calla Lily Bikini Bottom ($132).
Dries Van Noten
Blue & Orange Cuff Bracelet Set
You can style these bangles with your swimsuit or a sundress.
In addition to bangles, we’ve seen another accessory bubble up to the surface again: belts. While belts are an essential part of any wardrobe, that hasn’t stopped them from moving from “foundational basic” to “statement accessory.” That switch is due, in part, to recent collections, which we’re filled to the brim with “unnecessary belts“—i.e., looks with built-in buckles or outfits with layered belts. It also has to do with the creative ways the fashion set is re-embracing this accessory. If the runways were the first stop on the belt’s comeback tour, resort-bound ensembles would be the second. Across the board, the fashion set’s summer travel looks include styling every form of a belt (from chain to leather versions) over their swimwear this summer, showing that this “boring” accessory is just what our summer looks were missing.
Re-create the trend:
J.Crew
Ruched One-Shoulder One-Piece
Pro tip: don’t be afraid to take a more formal belt and style it with your one-piece swimsuit.
Bond-eye
The Mara One Piece Swimsuit
Opt for a minimal swimsuit in order to make your belt pop.
B-Low the Belt
Gissel Mini Belt
Saving up for a Chanel chain belt? This one will hold you over for the time being.
Veronica Beard
Cynzia One-Piece Swimsuit
Now, here’s a color that feels signature of summertime.
Lele Sadoughi
Candy Heart Station Belt
What’s not to love about this belt?
Monikh X Faithfull the Brand
Do Rei One Piece Coffee
Free People
Off the Coast Chain Belt
I can’t think of anything better than wearing a shell-adorned belt by the seashore.
No matter if you’re going to the beach or the pool, chances are that at some point, you’ll want some form of coverage when you’re not in the water. And while you can always turn to those quintessential resort staples (e.g., coverups or sarongs), one other trend lends itself to being a stylish alternative. Enter relaxed denim into the chat. Found on the S/S 23 runways, more casual denim silhouttes that feature baggier shapes, low-rise waistlines, and wide-leg hems have become a fan-favorite among the fashion set. Not only are these styles super comfortable, but they can be worn with just about anything, swimwear included. Whether you choose to style a pair of loose jeans with a cute top or baggy jorts over a bikini for a casual beach day, there’s no shortage of ways you can wear this trend—making it one of the best things you can buy for that upcoming vacation, without a doubt.
Re-create the trend:
Same Los Angeles
Rose Cut Out One Piece
You can shop this suit in fuchsia, white, and black.
Agolde
Low Slung Baggy 30.5″ Jeans
You can wear these well into the fall.
Miaou
Itty Bitty Top in Metallic Taupe
Spice up a tank top and denim shorts this summer by styling them with a trendy metallic suit.
Urban Outfitters
Bdg Denim Longline Board Short
Bermuda shorts are back, baby!
Disco Rojo
California Poppy Bottom in Black
The lucite floral detail on this bikini bottom is divine.
Pair with the matching Mayflower Lotus Top ($82).
The fold-over waistline on these jeans will allow you to show off your bikini bottoms.
Blackbough Swim
Lindsay Wrap Around Halter Top in Cloud Nine Pointelle
And they’re on sale? Say no more.
While most may equate summertime with oversized hats billowing in the breeze, there’s an even more nostalgic accessory slowly taking over: headbands. Remember in middle school when everyone was wearing those stretchy headbands? Well, it looks like they’re back in full force. But unlike the cringe-worthy earlier versions of this hair accessory, we’ve seen a more grown-up approach to styling this item by fashion insiders. For example, while traveling, you typically see these headbands worn with minimal swimsuits in either neutrals or mod patterns. While off the shore, you’ll find that they’re typically paired with those low-key luxury staples—e.g., an oversized button-down, pleated trousers, and sleek sandals. Whoever said relegated stretchy headbands to the past could never foretell how chic this trend could be (with the right styling, of course).
Re-create the trend:
Free People
My Way Soft Headband
Cue the childhood memories.
Peony
+ Net Sustain Recycled Broderie Anglaise Swimsuit
Lean into the nostalgia by opting for a swimsuit with vintage-inspired textiles. For example, the suit above is made from broderie anglaise.
An added benefit of headbands? You can prevent your hair from getting wet.
Scunci
Effortless Beauty Basic Interlock Headwraps
You might as well stock up on a few headbands.
Good American
Satin Shoulder Bikini Top
A simple way you can make your bikini top stand out is by pulling your hair back with a headband.
Pair with the matching Satin Ruched Bikini Bottom ($53).
By Anthropologie
Solid Stretch Headbands
Yes, you need multiple colorways.
Everlane
The String One-Piece
Wait until you see the back of this swimsuit.
Nine times out of ten, you’ll wear sandals to the beach. But what if I told you there’s another option? With sneakers gaining so much traction with the fashion set, there’s no better time to switch up your footwear. Of course, you don’t want to opt for an old pair of kicks—otherwise, you might look like a typical tourist. Instead, you’ll want to invest in a trendy sneaker like the retro-inspired silhouettes dominating social media and style it with other trendy summer items. For example, styling a pair of Adidas with a white bikini under a low-slung skirt and a Y2K-inspired top will set you apart from the crowds.
Re-create the trend:
Maybe it’s just me, but this swimsuit just gave me a boost of serotonin.
Adidas Originals
Torsion Leather-Trimmed Suede and Ripstop Sneakers
Insider hack: invest in a pair of multi-color sneakers to style them with different swimsuits.
With Jean
Jeanie Bikini Top in Candy
Balance out the sweetness of this suit by pairing it with cool sneakers.
Pair with the matching Jeanie Bikini Bottom ($69).
I’m living for the subtle pink stripe on these sneakers.
Lspace
Finneas V-Neck Bikini Top
Why pick between a white or black bikini when you can have both?
Pair with the matching Billie Bikini Bottoms ($92).
Puma
Suede Classic Xxi Sneakers
It doesn’t get more classic than these Puma sneakers.
Eres
Les Essentiels Aquarelle Swimsuit
While I love this suit’s white version, it’s also available to shop in 11 other colorways, including black and olive green.
Don’t think you can pair your walking sneakers with your swimsuit while traveling? Think again. Throw these on with a cool cover-up, and you’re good to go.
Without fail, once temperatures rise, specific items always come back in style—crochet clothing is no exception to this rule. While knitted coverups, dresses, and tops have become a mainstay in many summer wardrobes, that doesn’t mean there are trend-forward twists on this staple from time to time. In fact, after doing extensive image research, it became evident that colorful crochet items are having a moment. In hindsight, it’s not a surprising development, considering there’s no easier way to make the swimsuit in the back of your closet feel brand-new than by adding a bold hue into the mix. Nonetheless, seeing how fastidiously the fashion set has adopted this trend by pairing it with swimwear has given this tried-and-true staple a new tint (pun intended) this summer.
Recreate the trend:
I dream of packing this crochet jumpsuit for a trip to the Caribbean.
Triangl
Mala in Coni Bikini Top and Bottom
You already know this suit would look so fly underneath any form of a crochet cover-up.
Rotate Birger Christensen
Kwamie Crochet Beach Cover-Up
You may make onlookers green with envy if you wear this crochet cover-up.
Mara Hoffman
Idalia One Piece
Embrace the rainbow fully.
Simon Miller x
Mango Crochet Bruma Dress in Black
The multi-colored beads on this cover-up are everything.
Abercrombie and Fitch
90s Triangle Bikini Top
Farm Rio
Striped Crochet-Knit Cardigan
Here’s a cardigan that pays homage to the “coastal grandma aesthetic” but with a bit more color.
It’s Now Cool
The String Bikini Top
Consider this your final reminder: A great swimsuit is the basis for looking great by the water.
Last but certainly not least, it wouldn’t be summer without sunglasses! While shades are nonnegotiable for the summer, that doesn’t mean you can’t use your eyewear to up the heat for your summer ensembles. When in doubt, the fashion set relies upon one fail-proof style to add that sizzle to all their swimwear: black sunglasses. I know that black eyewear is an accessory that’s been elevated to anti-trend status. However, that doesn’t negate that we’ve seen the fashion set lean into the idea of the little black shades.
Scroll through Instagram, and it becomes clear that there’s a clear trend in play here—i.e., contemporary swimwear with sharp cutouts and neutral palettes is often solely accessorized with a dramatic pair of black shades. It could be the push toward general minimalism or the influence of the quiet-luxury aesthetic. Still, whatever the case, it’s clear that accessories, whether black sunglasses or any other trends listed in this story, can make any bikini bolder.
Re-create the trend:
Port Tanger
Black Talid Sunglasses
A more sporty frame can make any swimsuit feel cooler.
Frankies Bikinis
Nick String Triangle Bikini Top in Black
Much like black sunglasses, this sultry bikini will never go out of style.
Loewe Eyewear
Inflated Cat-Eye Acetate Sunglasses
Leave it to Loewe to make the perfect pair of sunglasses.
Mango
Scallop-Textured Swimsuit
The scallop detailing on this one-piece swimsuit makes it look more expensive than its price tag.
Poppy Lissiman
Chesko Sunglasses
These are, hands down, the best sunglasses in my collection.
Léa the Label
Palm One-Piece in Noir
Everything about this swimsuit is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, from the cutout detail to the ruched bodice to the asymmetrical strap.
Anne Klein
Vintage Round Sunglasses
These round sunglasses will have you feeling like a movie star.
Tory Burch
Miller Plunge One-Piece Swimsuit
Not only does this suit have a built-in belt (so you can adopt the aforementioned trend above), but it goes well with just about any pair of black sunglasses.
Next up, French, British, and Italian Women Never Travel Without This One Item
