Summer is just around the corner, which means it’s high time we refreshed our swim collection in preparation for beach days, pool visits and all the summer vacations. And while you could always stock up on yet another classic black bikini, why not opt for something a bit trendier this year? Here are the top swimwear trends for summer 2022 so you can hit the water in peak style. Just don’t blame us when everyone starts asking, “OMG, where’d you get that?”
5 Swimwear Trends That'll be Huge for Summer 2022
Published Apr 22, 2022
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Our favorite trend of the year has to be the rise of super bright hues from all across the rainbow. These eye-catching colors, which aren’t quite as vivid as neon shades, are incredibly easy to pull off (yes, even if you’re pale) simply because the trend is so broad. Choose whatever silhouette you like best, then opt for electric blue, hot pink, Prince purple, vibrant orange or even Baywatch red and you’ll be sitting pretty all summer long.
Left On Friday
1. Left On Friday Sunday Top And Hi Hi Bottom
Left On Friday is well known for its incredible color options, and even has a mix-and-match guide on its site to help you build your ultimate color combo. But two of the most popular styles are the Sunday top, which is super flattering in addition to offering ample support, and Hi Hi Bottoms, which have a higher cut leg to lengthen those stems without going full ‘80s retro.
Cupshe
2. Cupshe Street Art Ruffle Bandeau Bikini Set
This adorable bikini could easily double as a top for post-beach drinks—all you need is a high-waist skirt or pair of jeans to cover up a bit and you’ll be good to go. Our only gripe is that it comes as a set, meaning you can’t buy separate top/bottom sizes.
J.Crew
3. J.crew Ruched Shoulder-tie One-piece
There are multiple J.Crew bathing suits that come in this über-bright shade of pink, but this ruched one-piece is our favorite because it also plays into the texture trend (more on that below) and is incredibly flattering while still feeling fun. And yes, those shoulder ties are both adjustable and removeable so you can play around with knotting them in all sorts of new ways or just take them off entirely to prevent unwanted tanlines.
Solid & Striped
4. Solid & Striped The Anne-marie
This classic silhouette (with a low back and medium bum coverage) is one of Solid & Striped’s bestsellers year after year, looks fabulous on so many different body types and those fluorescent blue hue works on both warm and cool skin tones. Talk about a win-win!
Cut-outs have been a popular trend, in both swimwear and ready-to-wear, for a few summers now, so if you haven’t invested yet, now might be the time to do so. Even if you’re not a fan of the super-exposed suits seen on celebs like Kylie Jenner, you can still get in on the skin-baring fun with a one-piece that offers more coverage with just one or two strategically placed cuts instead of a fully slashed suit, like the Aerie style above.
Aerie
5. Aerie Cut-out One-piece Swimsuit
There are multiple ways to rock this sleek black one-piece, and the straps can be tightened or loosened to exaggerate or minimize those cut-outs. Plus, the material is composed of 80 percent recycled nylon for an eco-friendly twist.
Swimsuits for All
6. Swimsuits For All One-shoulder One-piece
This cute colorblock suit has an adjustable tie at the side so you can cinch it together to highlight your waist, or loosen it to show a little more skin. And that one-shoulder neckline is great for elongating your frame to give you a long, lean silhouette.
Revolve
7. Lovewave The Aden One-piece
For the gal who’s willing to go all in on funky cuts, this suit is a super-fun combination of sexy and sporty. Just don’t forget to apply ample sunscreen to avoid getting weird tanlines.
Shopbop
8. Mikoh Lana One-piece
On the flip side, if you’re looking for something more modest, try this peek-a-boo bandeau that more closely resembles a (very) high-waist bikini. The top is fully adjustable and there are also straps you can add for extra support if needed.
We’ve been over the idea of sporting denim shorts at the beach for a long time (why did we ever think that was comfortable?), but in 2022 we’re taking things even further with cover-ups that actually match our favorite swimwear. This can mean wrapping a sarong in the same banana gingham print around your coordinating banana gingham one-piece (as seen above), or layering a rainbow caftan over your rainbow bikini. It might even mean simply tossing a white button-up shirt on over your white swimwear.
Everything But Water
9. Trina Turk Gemini Pareo And One-shoulder Ruffled Bikini
There are multiple styles all featuring this same bright tropical print that you can mix and match to find your perfect pairing. But we’re particular fans of this ruffled one-shoulder top, which feels just as festive as the bold colors of the pattern and makes us want to plan a pool party ASAP.
Farm Rio
10. Farm Rio Lemon Dream Sarong And Ruffle Bikini
Miniskirts, button-up shirts and open robes are never a bad option, but a long sarong, like this lemon and floral print version, can be tied in so many different ways it’s almost like buying nine coverups in one.
Kenny Flowers
11. Kenny Flowers Poistano Robe And Bikini
Layer a matching duster over your bikini for a glamorous poolside look mid-afternoon, then slip it on over a mini dress as a light jacket for dinner and drinks in the evening. (Even better if you order a lemony drink to go with that cheery lemon print.)
Madewell
12. Madewell Lightestspun Cover Up Shirt And Shorts, And Bikini
If you find a print you really love, why not buy every piece so you can mix and match at your hearts desire? Madewell went all in on this Mod print, with multiple bikini styles, a one-piece suit and matching shorts and a shirt, so you too can go ham layering them with each other or mixing them into your existing beach wardrobe.
Another repeat trend from 2021, textured materials are back for round two with ribbed and smocked fabrics popping up everywhere we look. Beyond their interesting look and feel, both are great for masking lumps, much like ruching or shirring in clothing. Embrace the athletic nature of these materials and stick to minimalist silhouettes rather than elaborate ties or cutouts.
Triangl
13. Triangl Mica Cirrus Bikini
Of course, you don’t need to opt solely for ribbed or shirred materials—terry cloth, velvet and other 3D designs are just as cool for summer 2022. We love the checkerboard design on this white two-piece for a slightly different take on the trend, plus there are two bottom options so you can decide if you’d like to go cheekier or more demure.
Hunza G
14. Hunza G Square-neck Swim
Hunza G is perhaps best known for creating Vivian Ward’s iconic cut-out dress in Pretty Woman (you know the one). But its swimwear is just as fabulous (and a lot more wearable). The innovative fabric is meant to stretch and conform to your every curve, which is why the brand’s pieces all come in one size. “They’re not the most supportive suits,” says one PureWow editor, “but they are super comfortable, especially if you’re self-conscious about post-lunch bloat or a dreaded muffin top situation.”
Free People
15. Alia Blue Capri Bikini Top And Botttom
We love the combination of the lightweight smocked material and the subtle ring detailing on the sides of the bottom and back of the top. Note, however, this bikini is designed for a minimalist fit, so if you want a little extra coverage consider going up a size.
Good American
16. Good American Always Fits One-piece
Much like the Hunza G suit above, this swimsuit is made with a super-stretchy material that conforms to your to curves to really live up to the “always fits” name. It has a sexy low back and the straps are also adjustable to help you find that perfect fit.
Maybe it’s thanks to our newfound love of all things athleisure, maybe it’s due to Pam Anderson’s recent return to the zeitgeist, but sporty suits are a major hit for summer 2022. High necks, racerbacks, rashguards, zipper detailing and, of course, that signature Baywatch red are all great ways to embrace the trend, whether you plan to get in some laps or not.
Nike
17. Nike Hydralock Fusion One-piece
This Nike suit was specifically designed for working out, with proprietary materials that wick sweat both in and out of the water. The back features a classic racerback with a keyhole for a little extra exposure to balance that full-coverage front.
Carve Designs
18. Carve Designs Sanitas Colorblock Top And Bottom
This high-neck bikini features contrasting stripes down the side for an extra sporty touch that also helps give you a leaner overall look. It also has built-in UPF 50 and offers lots of support for the gals (there are DD specific sizes available in addition to the usual XS through XL) without bulky padding.
The Yes
19. Cynthia Rowley Nazare Colorblock Surfsuit
This two-tone suit was actually designed for surfers, with all the practical and techy elements needed to catch waves in style. But that doesn’t mean you can’t also wear this cutie to chase your little ones down the beach or catch up on a juicy mystery novel by the pool.
Mott50
20. Mott50 Bella Sleeveless Ruffle One-piece
Yes, you could always opt for a more classic zip-front black one-piece, but we just can’t get enough of the adorable ruffle detail on this Mott50 suit to shake things up a bit. It has all the practical elements you want—UPF 50 protection, wedgie-proof back, machine washable—just with a fun, feminine twist. It also comes in six bold prints if you prefer something with a bit of color.
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