Throwing on a cute swimsuit and heading to the water is a quintessential summertime activity that will keep you cool and refreshed. Lounging poolside sipping an ice cold refreshment, sunbathing on the beach while reading a book, delving into the ocean with a boogie board, or cannonballing into the pool, the water-related activities of summer are endless and categorized by the same uniform: a swimsuit. Staying close to the water is the perfect activity to counteract the sweltering summer days and offers a great excuse to get a cute new swimsuit (or two, or three) to keep you looking as cool as you feel.
Summertime is the time of year when the clothes come off and swimsuits get put on. Fashion trends make way for swimwear trends, and everyone searches for ways to wear less while looking cute but still being comfortable. The days get longer, and the summer season grows warmer, and people care just as much for what they have underneath their clothing and cover ups as they do for the outerwear itself. So, whether you end up in the pool or by the beach, here are the summer 2023 swimsuit trends you won’t want to miss out on.
This past year there has been a resurgence in clothing with cutouts. Whether it’s dresses, hosiery, or shirts, there has been a growing trend towards clothes with unique features or silhouettes that have bits of fabric taken out with stylized intention. These cleverly placed cut-outs offer a way to highlight the body or change the appearance of an article of clothing all without altering the integrity of the garment or its construction. All this makes the cut-out a beautifully stylized feature that allows for aesthetic features without compromising the comfort and mobility of the garment for the wearer.
So now that the time of year for swimwear fashion is here, it should come as no surprise that the latest swimwear trends showcase those same cutouts. The beauty of the swimwear cut-out is that you can maintain whatever level of support or coverage that you would like while still being stylish and on trend. It makes for an incredibly inclusive piece that holds a significant amount of timeless appeal.
Cutouts can be done with both one-piece and two-piece swimsuits like the Black Brandi Bralette Bikini Top from Sunsets and the Celine Solid One-Piece from our very own Bare brand. They also range in level of detailing- everywhere from one small cutout to cut-outs all over the swimsuit. The diversity in cut-out placement also helps to make this trend flattering and inclusive of all body types and personal styles. Because of this, it’s an incredibly versatile swimwear trend that will work for a range of utilities and needs while still being cute and trendy.
Many of the best swimsuits of 2023 have a common theme of revival. Specifically reviving trends that were alive and well during the y2k era. Maybe it’s the maximalism, the modern embracing of trends centered around the female body (only this time with loads more appreciation for all types of bodies), or the fact that many of us grew up around these trends, but the trending swimwear of 2023 definitely has its roots in the late 90s and early 2000s. So, what does this mean? It means the string bikini is back and it’s better than ever.
Whether you like to wear as little as possible to soak up the summer sun or prefer more coverage to be able to move around comfortably and freely, the string bikini now comes with an array of different coverages to fit whatever your needs may be. The string bikini also has the added benefit of being an exceptionally lounge- and sunbathing-friendly swimsuit. If you’re lying on your stomach, it can untie at the back while you are sunbathing to prevent tan lines, and if you are wanting a smaller tan line, it is possible to adjust the parts of the swimsuit with coverage on the string. Overall, the string bikini is the most classic swimsuit on this list. Because while the string bikini may be reaching a peak of popularity in 2023 bikini trends, it never really went out of style to begin with.
The best trends are the ones that allow you to wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable, happy, and most like yourself. When you feel your best, you look your best. It’s as simple as that. Confidence is born from the moments when you feel like your most absolutely amazing self and shines through when the clothes you wear are reflective of your personal style. The beauty of a trend that is related to pattern and color is that they usually encompass a large variety of options which gives the wearer the opportunity to choose pieces that make them feel like their most authentic selves. This freedom of choice is the key point to this swimsuit trend and we could not be more excited.
Out with patterns and in with bold statement colors. Not to be mistaken with the neon trend of last year which came and went by the time summer 2023 came around. The goal of this year's swimwear trend is to blind with beauty and confidence, not with reflective colors. On much the same wavelength, while patterns are fun and beautiful, they can also be hard to style. Bright colors don’t have that problem, in fact, they offer the perfect opportunity to embody summertime in a cute and simplistic way such as with the Geranium Muse Halter Underwire Tankini Top which will remain a timeless staple in your wardrobe. This trend is perfect for a day out because it makes styling around the swimsuit with a cover up much easier. Color block to your heart's content or opt for a more monochromatic look. No matter what, the bright yet beautiful colors stylish this summer will keep you looking bright, cheery, and refreshed.
Earlier this year Carrie Bradshaw’s naked dress from Sex and The City went viral all over again. This meant a couple of different things, but namely, it meant that naked neutrals began to trend. Mini dresses of all skin shades and tones were seen everywhere and now as summertime has arrived, the neutral solid-color swimsuit has reached its cornerstone of popularity. We don’t know what specifically about the neutral toned swimsuit fits the perfect summertime aesthetic, but we do know that they look amazing and can be mixed with any of the other trends mentioned on this list.
Last summer you rocked your tankini swimsuit and loved the comfortable, effortless, and cute trendy swimwear. They allowed you to get different sizes for the top and made it even easier to style with a cover up to appear as if you were wearing real clothes. They were a throwback to the y2k and were loved for every second of modern day nostalgia that they came with. The tankini is also one of the most inclusive swimwear options out there as it caters to all body types and modesty levels. This year, the question is are tankinis still in style? To which the answer is a resounding yes!
Swimwear fashion has shown a pretty big trend towards more nostalgic and classic silhouettes which means that the tankini is very much here to stay. The long top and matching bottoms make for a swimsuit that is functional, easy to wear, and absolutely adorable. The modern twist of this swimwear trend features a more structured bodice and a more form fitting torso which makes the tankini, like the Black Elsie Underwire Wrap Tankini Top by Sunsets looks like a one-piece swimsuit but with all the added benefits that come from it being separate.
As an extension of the cut-out, another swimwear trend of 2023 is a one shoulder swimsuit. Giving you an asymmetric neckline, which is both modest and sexy, the one shoulder swimsuit showcases a visually interesting flare which can be paired with many other swimwear trends or personal preferences. The one shoulder top was originally popularized within the early 2000s and shows another trend where the influence comes from the recent y2k revival. This time period truly showcased the female figure and worked on simple silhouettes and breezy embellished fabrics which translate well to swimwear fashion. It is because of this, along with the cyclical nature of fashion, that the early 2000s trends are being reinterpreted within modern day styles now.
This style of swimsuit translates very well into a trend that is, once again, incredibly inclusive, and able to be worn in many ways. Because one-shoulder is exclusive to the top, one-piece swimsuits such as the Jena Network One-Piece and two-piece Bare One-Shoulder Underwire Bikini Top swimsuits exist with this style. Due to its timeless nature, this style of top can be worn with a skirt or swim shorts to complete an outfit as opposed to a full body cover up.
Perhaps the most uniquely 2023 swimsuit trend is the textured swimsuit. As fashion has progressed so has the use of alternative textiles. Swimsuit trends are no exception. The textured swimsuit had its first origins in the crochet bikini. While crochet can be made of many different compositions, most are made of cotton, wool, or other nonabsorbent materials. Beach trends ultimately evolved to utilizing different material composition or just making traditional swim materials appear more textured. This accomplished a couple of things including allowing for swimwear to maintain its sport function while also creating swimsuits that looked incredibly visually interesting and modern.
A swimsuit with texture detailing can look and come in many different styles. Everywhere from a tankini to a bikini with every other style of swimsuit in between, adding texture is a style choice that elevates the look of the overall piece to add detailing and flatter the wearer. When you think of texture, think of fabric manipulation such as ruching, ruffles, or even the material itself being of a unique texture such as ribbing like this beautiful Freya Sundance Bikini Top. There are a million ways to bring texture into a swimsuit and it is a great opportunity to add dimension to swimwear outfits that have traditionally been defined by color and shape.
There is an exception to the solid color 2023 swimwear trend and that’s gingham. Summertime isn’t complete without picnics and warmth filled days out in the sun and nothing screams summer more than the gingham print. Characterized by a cross between a checkered and plaid pattern, gingham invokes feelings of summertime simplicity. This soft and dainty print comes in an array of colors that are traditionally contrasted with white. Since gingham is a print it can be worn in an array of cute swimsuit styles not the least of which are two piece bikinis like the Check In High Apex Bikini Top and Bottom and one-piece swimsuits such as the Gingham Twist Bandeau One-Piece, this trend is exceptionally versatile and inclusive. No matter your preference for silhouette, support, or coverage, gingham is a great way to incorporate a trend into the swimsuit you are looking at purchasing.
Gingham is a timeless and season-less print. Gingham was created as a popular pattern thousands of years ago and has maintained its popularity due to its nature as a classic and staple design. The ability to choose any color and to come across as bright and cheerful even if the color black is used sets it apart from other summertime prints. Gingham is a print that will never go out of style during the summertime because of how long it’s been around. Thus, it is a beautiful option when looking at the 2023 swimwear trends. Because of the strong feelings of summertime associated with this print, gingham swimwear brings forth the feeling of sunshine and happiness year-round.