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. Obviously, 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 a bit 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, you just have to get creative with your styling. A few cute accessories (with the occasionally ready-to-wear item) can transform the swimwear in the back of your closet in a split second. Don’t believe me? Ahead, I’m sharing the 7 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 pulling together the perfect beach-bound look without breaking a sweat.
In case you missed our previous reporting, let us set the record state 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.
The tropics are calling. Pair with the matching Cruise Hoop Bottoms ($135).
Mark my words; resin bangles will be everywhere for the rest of the summer.
That’s hot.
Don’t be afraid to stack ’em on.
Floral prints, ftw. Pair with the matching Marie Bottom in Uzbek ($110).
Wearable art.
Opt for a metallic suit if you want to tap into the mermaid-core aesthetic. Pair with the matching Calla Lily Bikini Bottom ($132).
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 over a notch from “foundational basic” to “statement accessory.” That switch, in part, is due 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. But also that 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.
This color!
Pro tip: don’t be afraid to take a more formal belt and style it with your one-piece swimsuit.
In order to make your belt pop, try to opt for a minimal swimsuit.
Saving up for a Chanel chain belt? This one will hold you over for the time being.
Now, here’s a color that feels signature of summertime.
What’s not to love about this belt?
So chic.
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.
You can shop this suit in fuschia, white, and solid black.
You can wear these well into the fall.
Spice up a tank top and denim shorts this summer by styling them with a trendy metallic suit.
Bermuda shorts are back, baby!
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.
Just a dash of Y2K vibes. Pair with the matching Martini High Rise Cheeky Bottoms ($50).
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).
Cue the childhood memories.
Lean into the nostalgia fully by opting for a swimsuit with vintage-inspired textiles (e.g., the suit above is made from broderie anglaise).
An added benefit of headbands? You can prevent your hair from getting wet.
You can’t ever go wrong with a minimal swimsuit. Pair with the matching micro tanga bikini bottoms ($36).
You might as well stock up on a few headbands.
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).
Yes, you need multiple colorways.
Wait until you see the back of this swimsuit.
Nine times out of ten, it’s expected that you’ll wear some type of sandal 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 than now. Of course, you don’t want to just opt for an old pair of kicks—otherwise, you might end up looking like a typical tourist. Instead, you’ll want to invest in a trendy sneaker like the retro-inspired silhouettes that have been 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.
Maybe it’s just me, but this swimsuit just gave me a boost of serotonin.
Insider hack: invest in a pair of multi-color sneakers to style them with different-hued swimsuits.
Balance out the sweetness of this suit by pairing it with cool sneakers. Pair with the matching Jeanie Bikini Bottom ($69).
Living for the subtle pink stripe on these sneakers.
Why pick between a white or black bikini when you can have both? Pair with the matching Billie Bikini Bottoms ($92).
It doesn’t get more classic than these Puma sneakers.
While I love this suit’s white version, it’s also available to shop in 11 other colorways, including black, olive green, and even fuschia.
Don’t think you pair your walking sneakers with your swimsuit while traveling? Think again. Simply throw these on with a cool coverup and you’ll be 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.
Dreaming of packing this crochet jumpsuit for a trip to the Caribbean.
You already know this suit would look so fly underneath any form of a crochet coverup.
Fair warning: you may make onlookers green with envy if you wear this crochet coverup.
Embrace the rainbow fully.
The multi-colored beads on this coverup are everything.
Imagine this vibrant yellow hue peeking out underneath a colorful crochet coverup. Pair with the matching Mid-Rise High-Leg Moderate Bottom ($45).
Here’s a cardigan that pays homage to the “coastal grandma aesthetic” but with a bit more color.
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 non-negotiable for the summer, that doesn’t mean that 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. Disclaimer here: 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 of the other trends listed in this story) can make any bikini bolder.
A more sporty frame can make any swimsuit feel cooler.
Much like black sunglasses, this sultry bikini will never go out of style.
Leave it to Loewe to make the perfect pair of sunglasses.
The scallop detailing on this one-piece swimsuit makes it look more expensive than its price tag.
These are the best sunglasses in my own collection, hands down.
Everything about this swimsuit is jaw-droppingly gorgeous—from the cutout detail to the ruched bodice to the asymmetrical strap.
These round sunglasses will have you feeling like a movie star.
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 type of black sunglasses.
