Since the last cold months of the year have yet to dissipate, it might seem premature to be already talking about the swimsuit trends of spring and summer 2022. Thankfully, we don’t kill the messenger here at Glowsly (particularly since we are the fashion messenger) and instead have focused on reporting on the many trends that have come out of Miami Swim Week.
There are plenty of older trends making a re-emergence as looks from last summer fade to the background. Top among these are cheetah prints, string bikinis, and head wraps. Other trends from last summer also have returned, making it perfect if you don’t feel like darting out to buy the latest swimsuit style. For instance, matching swimsuits are back, cut-outs continue to be ever so stylish, and belly chains and waist beads have yet to leave the summer trend list. As of today, we’ll keep the list of the summer 2022 swimwear trends under 20 so that you can be prepared for summer 2022 – hot girl summer edition.
Popular Swimsuit Styles
#1. String It up
Now dubbed the ‘Tarzan’ bikini, string bikinis have become all the rage. While you might not want to wear one of these numbers on a family vacation, they are perfect for a beach date or sun tanning. If you’re interested, all brands seemingly had their own takes on string bikini designs. The popular itsy-bitsy options were found at Naranja and Furcado, while Leimakani provided a bit more coverage.
#2. Cross My Halter, Hope to Die
There is truly nothing more summer than a halterneck, but the extra detailing on halter top swimsuits was something else this year. While Neena Swim, Luli Fama, and Nia Lynn did simple crisscrossing straps for the bikini tops, others went for more elaborate takes on the 2022 swimsuit trend. The most detailed (and personal favorite) was the one done by PNDMC, where the crisscrossed straps stretched all the way up the head into a headscarf.
#3. Crochet All Day
Maybe it’s Harry Styles’ fault for wearing the J.W. Anderson crochet sweater or, perhaps, it’s model Ella Emhoff and her crocheting skills shown off on Instagram, but either way, it seems that the homespun trend has reached the summer 2022 swimwear. While those of us who consider a crocheted swimsuit to be more risqué might reach for the Sports Illustrated cover-up, others might find their new favorite pool party suit at Boohoo or Sports Illustrated. And if you really want to go big or go home with this trend, then play with matching cover-ups, swimsuits, and I’m sure you could find a hat to create a crochet-themed outfit!
#4. Set It up
Swimsuit sets are the constant trend of swimwear – no matter the year or even season, they tend to be perennially popular. It was, of course, no different for the spring/summer 2022 swimsuit collections. Florals and cheetah print options tended to hold the most sway for Boohoo, Pretty Little Thing, Megan Mae Swim, and Nia Lynn. So, if anyone tells you matching is something only for grandmas, tell them to check their eyes because it’s always on-trend.
#5.Time to Go Strapless
Perfect for those that might have a smaller chest, strapless swimsuits create an illusion of a bit more. Along with this, they are masters of staying up and being sexy in their own – sometimes subtle – way, as Neena Swim proved. However, if you’re after a smaller top, then Eight Swimwear’s strapless option is for you!
#6. Square Necklines
Whereas triangle tops and sculpted bras were the popular swimwear trend last summer, this summer 2022 seems to be all about square-cut necklines. Perfect for showing off a little bit of cleavage and still remaining tasteful, this neckline is great for people who are just starting to veer out of their comfort zone. If you’re tempted to try it, check out the many brands showcasing this swimwear trend, from Liliana Montoya Swim to BFYNE, from Mery Playa + My Happy to Lascana.
#7. Polar Plunge
In opposition to the subtly suggestive swimsuit tops above come plunging V-necks with their blatant sex appeal. But after the time indoors, baring all skin might feel better than not baring much at all. This was clearly the thought process of many brands at Miami Swim Week 2021, from Honey Birdette to Boohoo, who proved that the more skin showing, the better!
#8. Monokinis
This summer 2022 swimwear trend is the original hot girl swimsuit for sure – starting in the 1960s as a “swimsuit without a top,” it certainly rocked the boat. But after one non-existent and one semi-existent summer, it seems that everyone is ready to show off their bodies hit by the pandemic fitness craze. To no one’s surprise, lingerie-turned-swimsuit brand Honey Birdette came out with many monokini styles. Along with Honey Birdette, Neena Swim also created monokinis with the bottom and top only connected by thin strips of fabric and a delicately placed O-ring (more on those later!).
Details
#9. Cut It up
If you thought that cutouts weren’t going to make their foray back into fashion again, then you were definitely wrong. This trend still seems to be going strong and is easily one of the more popular looks from Miami Swim Week. From Emilio Pucci, who created a bikini with holes underneath the belt, to swimsuit brand Honey Birdette slicing peep holes into both the top and bottoms of some of their latest sets, this 2022 swimwear trend is very much in full swing.
#10. Waisted Details
Like ‘hot girl summer’ last year, this year also seems to be filled with waist jewelry. From the popular chains at Simonett and BFYNE to floss ties at Neena Swim, Boohoo, and Nia Lynn, accenting our waists has been all the rage. And if you’re still questioning whether or not to don one, then just know that it’s both Lily-Rose Depp- and Rhianna-approved.
#11. It’s a Wrap
Wrapping up your hair in a cute and simple headscarf is always a fun and flirty summer option. This summer, brands seemed to particularly lean into both bandanas and headscarves that matched their swimsuits. Perhaps it was leftover fabric or maybe the desire to keep our beachy waves out of our faces, but either way, there are many options, from Liliana Montoya using cheetah prints and contrasted florals to BFYNE playing with elegant purple chiffon.
#12. All About the O
O-rings are the easily crafted metal rings that attach the two sides of spandex together. Perfect for either monokinis or strapless tops, it can’t come as much of a shock that O-rings have also risen up in popularity along with the other styles that need them. From Sahara Beachwear using O-rings to create crisscrossing patterns with the straps to Haitian Doll by Jo Bella crafting them for the center hook of a monokini, there is little to doubt this is a summer 2022 swimsuit trend.
#13. Reign of the Cheetah
Last year was the rise of the python, but it seems to be all about the cheetah print once again. The speedy jungle cat entranced designers for swimsuit brands Rys, Lillian Montoya, and Haitian Doll by Jo Bell, who all incorporated the cat’s signature spots into the patterns of their swimwear. Who knows, maybe with these swimsuits, your wild cat might be unleashed?
#14. Orange Grove
Orange was a consistent color trend throughout the shows and the only one large enough to talk about in this article. Instantly noticeable with BFYNE swimwear, the ‘orange of the setting sun’ was the main color since the designer, Buki Ade, wanted to go back to her African roots when it came to the design process. Along with BFYNE, Ema Savahl Couture Swim also highlighted orange, and so did Swim with Poppies. The bright color might have some people question why it was such a major theme considering it isn’t often a popular hue, but like green, orange is a color of rejuvenation and health. Some of everyone’s favorite things when we reach the summer!
Themes
#15. Sustainability
While it’s sad that sustainability can still be considered a trend, all we can do is report on it and hope that the Glasgow Convention might change something in the future, particularly since it seems like things are already changing in the right directions for swimwear brands. The main brands that deserve mention for their sustainable practices are Naranja Furcado, Palmacea, Smeralda, and Mar de Lua, whose creative director Carolina Diazgranado estimated that the brand is 65% sustainable! Considering the lack of sustainability even a decade ago, this is something absolutely honorable, and mother nature is surely pleased to hear it.
#16. Every Body Is a Bikini Body
Like sustainability, it’s sad that body diversity is still considered a trend. However, it also proves how much the fashion industry is changing and improving by highlighting all the different shapes and sizes that people come in.
BFYNE Swimwear presented by Models of Color Matter focused on designing swimsuits for all shapes and sizes, but Leimakani easily wins the gold stamp of approval with models of all shapes and sizes in every part of their campaign. Their founder Kali’a Wasson explained to the audience: “We are a brand that stands firm in changing the narrative on the social standards of beauty and body image. We strive to make all women feel beautiful and confident.”
Along with these superstars, up-and-coming swimwear brand Boohoo had models of all sizes also walking the runway in an effort to show that everyone can wear a swimsuit and look stunning in it.
Cover-ups
#17. Pants-ing Time
One of the latest trends that started to crop up in Miami Swim Week was that of pants as cover-ups. Making a case for throwing on a loose pair of pants while dashing out of the pool to get ice cream were the brands Nia-Lynn, Leimakani, Simonett, and Rys. While you might want to dry off a little bit before tugging on a pair of one of these adorable (and loose) new cover-ups, the reward will surely be worth it – outfit compliments galore! And who knows, maybe you’ll find them your new favorite pair of pants as well.
#18. Peek-a-Boo Cover-ups
If you don’t have time to dry off before putting on a cover-up, then maybe the trend of see-through cover-ups will inspire you to unleash your inner free-wheeling child a bit more. Some of the options featured more elaborate detailing, such as Nalu Swimwear that finished off the royal blue chiffon with sequin fringe. However, I can’t help but fall in love with the more gothic takes of JALU Swim and U-ROCK Boutique X BACCIO Couture, who both designed floor-length cover-ups in black and white.
Photos via Fashion Week Online
