From belts to velvet, 11 swimwear trends to flaunt at your next pool party

 

Make a splash and cool off this spring break while wearing the trendiest, best swimsuits of 2018. We devoured the shows at Miami Swim Week and compiled the perfect cheat sheet of the most sizzling looks that push the thermostat off the charts. Start checking flights and befriending that friend of a friend who has a boat because you’re going to want these swimsuits to be seen.

 

1. Best Swimsuits 2018: Tassel Styles

 

 

Tassel trim work was noticeably key at Miami Swim Week 2018 from designers like Agua Bendita, Courtney Allegra, and Silvia Ulson to name a few. And why shouldn’t it be? Tassels are a fantastic way to add movement and sass, whether you choose to don a few or have them all over! There’s no way to go wrong with this trend, just be prepared to want to sashay every time you take a walk along the beach.

 

To buy (from left to right):

 

Tularosa Frida One Piece, $158, Revolve
Nightwalker Floral Bikini Top & Nightwalker Floral Bikini Bottoms, $38 (each), Forever21
Niche at the Beach Reversible One-Piece Swimsuit, $99, Modcloth

 

2. Best Swimsuits 2018: A Crochet Swimsuit

 

 

Get a music festival look this year at the pool with a crochet swimsuit! This less common swimsuit fabric has been around since the early 1970s and is a summer favorite—even Kim Kardashian West was spotting rocking the throwback trend. The mesmerizing patterns are works of art and instant statement pieces for any of your pool day looks. Get dual use out of this swimsuit trend and throw on some palazzo pants and a revealing shirt for a night out to a summer concert.

 

To buy (from left to right):

 

Becca ETC Show & Tell One-Piece Swimsuit, $158, Nordstrom
Rove Swimwear Cuba Crochet Triangle Bikini Top & Cheeky Bottom, $118 (each), Urban Outfitters
Kiini Luna Crochet-Trimmed Triangle Bikini Top, $140 & High-Rise Bikini Briefs, $94, Net-A-Porter

 

3. Best Swimsuits 2018: High-Neck Tops

 

 

A resurgence of modest swimwear has come about, but this fuller coverage up top is anything but frumpy. This cut is an amazing way to show off your shoulders just like you have been all winter (hello, cold shoulder trend). It’s ultra flattering on any bust size, and you can balance it out with a cheekier bottom. The tan lines will be worth the style points.

 

To buy (from left to right):

 

Reissue High Neck Bikini Top, $54 & Hike Bikini Bottom, $45, Billabong
Kenneth Cole Tough Luxe Crochet High-Neck One-Piece Swimsuit, $123, Macy’s
High-Neck Swim Top & Strappy Back Bikini Bottom, $34 (each), Target

 

4. Best Swimsuits 2018: High-Waisted Bottoms

 

 

These are not your grandma’s high-waisted bottoms. Think more pinup star, less sad, saggy diaper. This trend has been gaining major traction for years, and with designers refining the style and fit these suits are sexier than ever. When purchasing this look make sure the bottoms draw attention to your waist and away from your hips therefore elongating your legs. With a range from full coverage, to cheeky, to ’80s high thigh, this swimwear trend is made for anyone and everyone.

 

To buy (from left to right):

 

Striped Bandeau Bikini Top, $27 & Cheeky High Waist Bikini Bottom, $22, Target
Stella McCartney Stella Iconic One Shoulder One Shoulder Top, $195 & High Waist Pant, $45, Zappos
ASOS Faux Pearl Crop Bikini Top, $45 & High Waist Bikini Bottom, $42, Asos

 

5. Best Swimsuits 2018: Lace-Up

 

 

Long live the string bikini! This year the strings are getting longer and more intricate, with designs varying from elaborate tied bikini bottom sides to lace-up tops and wrapped torsos. The style can be a touch risqué, but this trend is extremely functional for adjusting your fit if you need more space or want to feel more secure. It’s not the best option if you’re trying to catch a tan (you’ll have lines for days), so just get a spray on before you head out and make sure you have a strong SPF.

 

To buy (from left to right):

 

J.Crew Stripe Lace-Up One-Piece Swimsuit, $125, Nordstrom
HAH Multiway DIY Top, $98 & Hi-Kini Bottom, $118, We Are HAH
Striped Ruffle Wraparound Bikini Top, $19 & Tie Bikini Bottoms, $14, Forever 21

 

6. Best Swimsuits 2018: Metallic

 

 

Go glam and shine this summer with shimmery metallic swimwear. Channel the disco era with just a touch or all-over reflective fabric—both will make you shimmer and sparkle. Designers like Liliana Montoya and The 8th Continent flaunted some of the shiniest swimwear options in completely bold shapes, while Demadly and Angel Brinks had more subdued metallic touches.

 

To buy (from left to right):

 

Sports Illustrated Swim Chain Mail Bikini Top, $138 & Swim Cheeky V Bikini Bottom, $38, Pacsun
Sports Illustrated Viper One Shoulder, $160, Swim Spot
Oseree Metallic Swimsuit, $241, Farfetch

 

7. Best Swimsuits 2018: Plunging One-Piece

 

 

One-piece swimsuits have gotten a revival and taken a sexy turn with plunging necklines. This trend can be embellished in numerous ways, making it effortless to accommodate your personal style. Frame with loose ruffles, have a high-cut bottom or cut-outs, show off some side boob, flaunt a low back—there is endless potential! A word of caution: This style tends to have less support so if you are bigger busted and want to try this trend look for suits with thicker material that won’t stretch and sag with wear.

 

To buy (from left to right):

 

Missguided Halter Neck Plunge Swimsuit, $32, Asos
Pick And Cruise One-Piece Swimsuit, $100, Modcloth
Tropical Lattice Neck One-Piece Swimsuit, $74, Torrid

 

8. Best Swimsuits 2018: One-Shoulder

 

 

Take a walk on the asymmetrical side in a head-turning, one-shoulder number. It’s flattering across all bust sizes, and it gives a flirty shoulder reveal on one side and strap security on the other. From one-piece swimsuits to bikinis, this cut can look both sporty or glam and it looks great on all generations. And who doesn’t love showing off their collar bones?

 

To buy (from left to right):

 

Araks Phoebe Reversible Bikini Top, $190 & Peyton Reversible Bikini Bottoms, $115, Shopbop
Mara Hoffman Cher One-Piece Swimsuit, $275, Free People
Lenny Niemeyer Draped One-Piece Swimsuit, $250, Anthropologie

 

9. Best Swimsuits 2018: Velvet

 

 

Velvet for swimwear? Hear us out. At first it may sound impractical (how could this possibly hold up and withstand beach elements?) but designers have reimagined the fabric, and the majority of these trendy suits are in fact a true velvet imitation, a stretch velvet made from nylon and Lycra. So take on this beautiful, prismatic fabric trend without buyer’s remorse and jump through the waves trendy and carefree.

 

To buy (from left to right):

 

Triangl Twister – Pink Panther, $89 (set), Triangl
Kovey – Gili Strapless Top Style 1, $68 & Isle Bottom Style 3, $67, Couture Candy
Out From Under Plunging V Velvet One-Piece Swimsuit, $79, Urban Outfitters

 

10. Best Swimsuits 2018: Belted

 

 

Feel like a Bond Girl and take on the latest retro swimwear trend: belted. This trend is taking the high-waisted love affair we’ve witnessed in past swim seasons and adding a lively, new accessory, a belt. Go full Ursula Andress vibes with a sporty style or take on a more modern feminine silhouette with a wrapped belt.

 

To buy (from left to right):

 

Solid & Striped The Josephine Top & The Josephine Bottom, $88 (each), Solid & Striped
River Island Tie Front Mixed Floral Print Swimsuit, $51, Asos
Solid & Striped Belted Ribbed One Piece Swimsuit, $180, M’oda ‘Operandi

 

11. Best Swimsuits 2018: Tie-Front Monokini

 

 

If you’re a fan of the high-waisted trend and love a retro silhouette then we recommend the romantic and retro aesthetic of the tie-front monokini. The cut is stunning on anyone, emphasizing the small of your waist, and the tied-up top is effortless to adjust and accommodate to your bust size. Wrap a scarf in your hair and add some hoop earrings to give your swimsuit a hint of modern.

 

To buy (from left to right):

 

Michael Kors Deco Hexagon Strappy Cross Back Tie Front Maillot, $97, 6pm
ASOS Mixed Spot Tie Front Swimsuit, $51, Asos
Out From Under Tie-Front Textured One-Piece Swimsuit, $72, Urban Outfitters