If style gurus are to be believed, 2018 is the year of “haute swimwear”. Whether it's bright colours or patterns, leather-braided straps, ruffles, belts or beading, this season’s trends are some of the most exciting yet. Here are the key swimwear trends that are making a splash at every poolside this year.
Rainbow Stripes
If you love rainbow jumpers, you’ll be happy with this trend. Almost every item in your wardrobe has been given a multicoloured treatment this summer and the rainbow-stripe trend has now extended to swimwear as well. There’s been a spate of colourful one-pieces and bikinis from almost every big brand across the globe—truly fun and flashy.
High-Waisted Bikinis
Over the last few summers, women have been a little distracted by tanning their tushies in teeny-weeny Brazilian cut bikinis, but now high-waisted bikinis are having a moment. People’s perceptions of high-waisted bikinis often have ’50s housewife connotations, but there’s nothing twee about them, and this season, these bikinis are the high-fashion swimwear of choice.
Ruffles
Statement ruffles have been on the rise for the last few seasons, but 2018 is the year ruffles go big, say experts. Turn up to heat in seductive silhouettes with cutout details, and don’t forget all the trimmings—adorn yourself in dramatic metal eyelets and intricate beading. And if you’re looking for something to take you from the beach to the bar, this is definitely one trend that instantly gives you confidence.
Crochet
Crochet swimwear might make you a little nervous; however, this is the bikini we keep seeing on the Instagram set. This season, it’s about sand-coloured, earthy bikinis that look like they’ve been hand-stitched at home. Of course, pastels like dusty pink, smoky grey, pale cream and off-white are also appearing everywhere.
Sporty Leotards
Taking its cues from the swimming lanes of an Olympic pool or the gymnastics mat, go-faster stripes and belted leotard shapes are your reference points for this trend. These sporty suits have been reworked in of-the-moment primary hues and rainbow palettes to make them one of the most flattering and eye-catching trends of the season.
Smocking
Little girls look their cutest in smocked frocks, but now, young women are sporting smocking too. Not in frocks, obviously, but, hold your breath, in swimwear. Yes, smocking has made a huge appearance in bikini tops around the world’s top beaches—from plains to checks to prints—smocking is making a big splash this season.