What makes a swim trend controversial? It can be anything from how much coverage it provides (or, of course, doesn’t provide) to the potential for unpleasant tan lines to how much it resembles lingerie. That said, just because a swim trend is divisive doesn’t mean it’s not cool or that it’s off limits. In fact, while I, personally, tend to err on the safer side when it comes to beachwear, I can’t help but feel like I might just want to try a handful of the aforementioned suits myself—and I have a feeling you will, too.
From bra-style bikini tops every It brand is backing to the thong swimsuit movement that’s all the rage across the globe to the loincloth bottoms both celebrities and influencers are backing, today I’ve rounded up the six most controversial swim trends that, at least for the time being, are very much a thing. Now, you can choose for yourself whether or not they’re for you, and if they just so happen to be, feel free to shop them along the way. Just keep scrolling to get started.
This lingerie-inspired trend just might be my favorite of the season. In fact, I’ve already picked up the Onia suit Danielle Bernstein designed and is modeling above.
As both our U.S. editor in chief and UK-based editorial Director have pointed out, thong swimsuits are definitely trending on both sides of the pond, even more than they have in decades past.
Since bubbling up last summer, the loincloth bikini seems to be only gaining steam going into this swim season.
Think anything close enough to your skin color to make your friends (or strangers) do a double take on the beach. I’m not going to lie though, with all things neutral trending right now, I’m into it.
Now that we’ve (almost) all come around to bike shorts as a RTW trend, it’s time to consider them as a fashion-forward swim look, too.
If we can look as good as Imani in her Inamorata suit, I think we can all agree that the complicated cutouts trend is worth the weird tan lines.
Up next? See and shop the absolute coolest things I’ve seen online in the last month.