Unlike most people, I actually enjoy swimsuit shopping. It gets me excited just daydreaming about the possibility of being somewhere other than my couch—namely, somewhere warm with a marg in hand. Ugh, remember being outside? Those were the days. Plus, I’m pretty sure that online shopping is a form of therapy, and that by buying swimsuits, I’m willing summer into existence. Yeah, I read The Secret and I’m putting this out in the universe. If nothing else, there’s always summer 2021, I guess. Anyway, these are the swimsuit trends we would have seen all over the beach this summer, but now will probably just be seeing all over TikTok.
1. Tangerine
Maaji Orangesicle Ellen Triangle Bikini Top, $69 & Orangesicle Sublime Reversible Bikini Bottom, $60
Lovers + Friends Wiles One Piece, $128
PilyQ Papaya Reef Tube Bandeau Bikini Top, $88 & Papaya Reef Hipster Bottom, $76
Somewhat surprisingly, orange or more formally, tangerine, is the trending color for swim 2020. Now, I’m pretty sure orange is one of the hardest colors to pull off, especially when it comes to a swimsuit. If you’re naturally pale and survive off of self-tanner *raises hand*, then this trend might be a risky choice. But, the good news is, if you decide to embrace the trend anyway then at least you won’t have to worry about your spray tan ruining your suit. Small wins.
2. Covered-Up
Free People Oracle One Piece Swimsuit, $187
Public Desire Bandage Underwire Bikini Top, $24
L*Space Prism Bikini Top, $72 & Frenchi Bitsy Bikini Bottom, $55
Ironically enough, just as thong bikini bottoms have become a thing, so have ultra covered-up swimsuits. You know that weird swim shirt your mom used to make you wear at the beach so you wouldn’t get sunburned while boogie boarding all day? Yeah, that once dorky surf shirt has been now deemed chic by fashion bloggers. Figures, right? It’s now cool right now to wear a high neck swimsuit, swimsuits with long sleeves, and even swimsuits that could pass as actual crop tops.
3. Animal Print
Vitamin A Vinca Neutra Blue Snake Bralette Bikini Top, $110 & Hipster Bikini Bottom, $96
Wolf & Whistle Curve Wrap Bikini Top, $38 & High Waist Bikini Bottom, $26
Boys + Arrows Animalistic Animal Don’t Trip Bikini Top, $98 & Animal Kiki Bikini Bottom, $106
Obviously, animal print has been trending for months now, so it’s no shocker that it’s made its way into swimsuits. From snake print to cheetah print, it’s all trending. To wear the trend yourself in the least basic way possible, I’d recommend trying an animal print in a colored variety, such as the blue snake print one above.
4. Ruching
ASOS DESIGN Ruched Tie Side High Swimsuit, $13.50
Frankies Bikinis Dreamy Bikini Top, $84 & Sadie Bikini Bottom, $79
lovewave Sedona Top, $88 & Sedona Bottom, $80
Ruching can elevate an otherwise basic swimsuit with an added trendy, feminine detail. But don’t just take my word for it—the black one from Frankies Bikinis is a current Revolve best seller. So, needless to say, I expect to see it on all of our favorite former Bachelor contestants.
5. High Waist
Kitty and Vibe Underwire Top, $50 & High Hip Bottoms, $45
Chelsea28 Easy Retro Bikini Top, $22.05 & High Waist Swim Bottoms, $13.50
L*Space Stone Tie Dye Beach Wave Bikini Top, $92 & Tie Dye Hi Waist Bikini Bottom, $99
Every guy’s least favorite swim trend, high waist bottoms, is back. And honestly, screw them anyway. Speaking for myself, I won’t mind the extra coverage, considering I’ve been mostly sitting on my couch for the past six weeks. I like the way a lot of high-waisted bottoms now have high-leg cutouts, though, because it balances out this otherwise conservative silhouette.
It’s kind of crazy how swimsuit trends have become a thing. Like, I remember simpler days when you just ordered whichever swimsuit off of Victoria’s Secret that your mom deemed appropriate enough. And now, here I am blowing an entire paycheck on several swimsuits in the name of fashion! Whatever, fortunately it’s a sacrifice I’m all too happy to make.
Images: Roberto Nickson / Unsplash; South Moon Under (6); Revolve (4); Free People; ASOS (3); Solid & Striped; Kitty and Vibe
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