The Only 3 Swimwear Trends That Matter This Summer

You heard it here first: Scalloped-edge swimsuits will be everywhere for summer 2026. After years of sporty silhouettes, cutouts and ultra-minimal styles dominating swimwear, fashion is swinging back toward pieces that are a touch more feminine. The scalloped edge softens a swimsuit instantly. It also photographs really well. The curved edges frame the body in a softer way than a straight seam, which gives swimsuits a more vintage-inspired feel.

There’s something about polka-dot swimwear that instantly puts me in a better mood. Maybe it’s because it feels a little retro, a little playful and very “rich woman on vacation in the South of France.” Either way, the trend is about to be huge for summer 2026. After years of sleek, sporty swimsuits and barely-there neutrals dominating the beach, polka dots feel like fashion loosening up again. They’re fun. They’re flirty. They don’t take themselves too seriously. And somehow, they make even the simplest bikini feel styled. Add oversized sunglasses and suddenly you look like you planned your entire beachy-trip around the outfit.

While tiny bikinis and dramatic cutouts will always have their moment, the square neckline is coming back! What makes the trend especially good, though, is that it genuinely flatters almost everyone. The straight-across neckline helps balance proportions, frames the collarbone beautifully and offers a little more support and coverage than skimpier silhouettes. On fuller busts, it feels secure without looking overly sporty. On smaller busts, it creates shape and structure in a really elegant way. It also taps into fashion’s shift toward ’90s-inspired dressing. And, best of all, the square-neck one-pieces often double as actual outfits once you throw on linen pants or a skirt.