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Swimwear is no longer something you pack at the end of your suitcase. In 2026, it is the starting point of the entire holiday look.
Vogue UK has highlighted the one-piece as a major summer essential, especially with asymmetric cuts, cut-outs, sculpted silhouettes, and styles that can move easily from poolside to lunch plans. Vogue’s swimwear brand guide also points to labels like Hunza G, Eres, Matteau, Melissa Odabash, Toteme, Oséree, Missoni Mare, Pucci, Zimmermann, and Agua by Agua Bendita as key names shaping the current swimwear mood.
Celebrities are also making swimwear feel more styled than ever. Dua Lipa has long leaned into bold vacation dressing, making prints, colour, and statement bikinis feel like part of her personal brand.
Amy Schumer was recently seen in a polka-dot Andie one-piece with a plunging neckline, bow detail, and cut-out, proving that the retro dot is very much back. Brittany Mahomes also stepped out in a striped square-neck one-piece, showing how stripes can feel classic, sporty, and flattering at once.
The mood is clear: swimwear is getting more expressive. Marie Claire’s 2026 swim report points to polka-dot bikinis, minimalist one-pieces, surfer-girl layers, rash guards, board shorts, and retro tankinis, while Vogue UK’s bikini trend edit calls out embellishments, pearly whites, metallics, fanciful swim, stripes, and bandeaus.
Animal print is back in a more grown-up way. Leopard, zebra, snake, and cheetah prints are showing up on classic bikinis and one-pieces, giving swimwear a slightly bolder, more confident energy.
Why we love it: animal print adds attitude. It is bold, flattering, and surprisingly easy to style with black, white, tan, gold, or raffia accessories.
Polka dots are having their retro resort moment. They feel playful, nostalgic, and a little bit vintage without looking dated.
Why we love it: polka dots are sweet, photogenic, and easy to style with oversized sunglasses, gold hoops, a straw tote, or a linen shirt.
Printed swimwear is where the fun begins. These are the swimsuits that instantly make your beach look feel styled, even before you add accessories.
Why we love it: prints bring personality. They make a simple swimsuit feel like a full vacation look.
Stripes never really leave swimwear, but this season they feel especially fresh in square-neck one-pieces, bandeau bikinis, and nautical-inspired sets.
Why we love it: stripes are timeless, flattering, and perfect for anyone who wants a swimsuit that feels polished but not boring.
Some swimsuits are not meant to stay quiet. Cut-outs, metallics, embellishments, beads, charms, rosettes, crochet, asymmetric necklines, and sculptural details are turning swimwear into fashion pieces.
Why we love it: statement swimwear does all the work. Add a sarong, sandals, and a bag, and the outfit is done.
This summer, the swimsuit is not just something you wear to swim. It is the foundation of the whole holiday outfit. Whether you choose polka dots, stripes, bold prints, statement cuts, or animal print, the best swimwear now has one job: to make your vacation wardrobe feel instantly more styled.
