At this point in the season, we’ve pretty much been sticking to a uniform that involves bikinis, denim shorts, sandals, and little else. Typically, there’s only one objective during these summer weekends, and that’s to get as much sun as possible, wearing one of the barely there bikinis that are designed to maximize sun exposure and minimize tan lines. But if you thought settling for a plain triangle bikini was good enough, you thought wrong. Instead, we’ve noticed a new crop of barely there bikini trends on the rise—and these styles are so minimal they’re shocking.
Like most controversial swimsuit trends, celebrities and fashion girls are leading the pack here. We’ve spotted them in bikinis that are redefining what “barely there” even means and some that are straight-up optical illusions. I might be slightly shook at the thought of donning any of these styles, but I can’t deny how fire following ‘grams are. To see these six new daring bikini trends and how they’re worn, simply keep scrolling.
Exactly as the name suggests, “floss” bikinis feature super-thin straps for a barely-there look that’s also great if you’re trying to minimize your tan lines, but be warned: These are definitely on the minimal side when it comes to coverage.
Next up, we have the loincloth bikini trend. Featuring ruched or scrunched-up material, this skin-baring trend seems to be really taking off this summer. Color me a little shocked to see dozens of trendsetters sporting the look and even more surprised at myself for wanting to try it.
Pretty sure this one speaks for itself, but I’ll spell it out in case anything’s not clear. (See what I did there?) Transparent and see-through straps are the ultimate trompe l’oeil, giving off the illusion that nothing is there.
With a healthy dose of nostalgia, we’re seeing the return of ultra-high-cut swimsuits that give a nod to retro style. Cool as they may be, I’d be lying if I said that I’m used to baring that much skin above my hips. Maybe it’s just me, though!
Another inventive way to wear the barely there swim trend right now is via cutout bandeau tops. Whether cut out in the middle or underneath to highlight a little underboob action, this trend is quickly gaining steam.
Thong bikinis have been on the rise since last summer, and now they’re a full-blown trend. As in, they’re no longer only popular with a select group of fashion girls—they’re everywhere.
