Summer 2018 Swimwear Trends

The 2018 swimwear trends from the Miami Swim Week represent the swimsuits equivalent of New York, London, Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks rolled into one. If you want to know what the hottest options will be in and near the water, this is the Fashion Week you want to attend most. The collections are about swimwear – they don’t include swimwear. It’s all about the bathing suits, and nothing else – where and when is it better to spot and call out the upcoming summer 2018 swimwear trends?

The summer 2018 swimwear trends cover every possible aspect and personality that could want to make a debut. Swimwear is a notoriously personal item capable of showing off much more than skin. Personality is always evident in a person’s choice of bathing suit.

Thankfully the options for the 2018 swimwear trends include one and two pieces with an expansion of imaginative styling. The rise of the one piece is in full force as well, and each of the designs is stunning with options to flatter everyone. From sunbathers to surfers and models to the more modest, the summer 2018 swimwear trends strategically cover it all.

#1. Front Tied Swimsuits
Front tied bikinis are typically string bikinis, but can also be a part of tankinis and monokinis as well. One of the best and most interesting examples of front tied bikinis is the strappy, laced tops on the Blue Life swimwear runway. They even had a ruffle top that laced and tied in the front, cleverly designed to not take away from the light ruffle, but still be seen.


#2. Crocheted Swimwear


#3. Swimsuits with Tassels
Tassels actually made their initial ‘big splash’ last year, but the concept has steadily grown and cemented itself into an unmistakable summer 2018 swimsuit trend. The type and size of the tassels varied runway to runway, but the presence was fun and increasingly creative.


#4. High-Waisted Two Pieces
High-waisted two pieces have been hailed as a vintage godsend among the summer 2018 swimwear trends. This trend has been building steam and gaining ground more reliably for the past few years than any other. High fashion options have been shown but it never really took off and picked up to official trend status until last year and thankfully this will continue to be a summer 2018 swimsuit trend.


#5. String Bikinis
String bikinis for the summer 2018 are trending with a lot more strings than before. The designs, which may make them less ideal for tanning unless intricate tan lines are your thing, are still a lot of fun. The best thing about string bikinis is the functionality of some, if the laces are real, not decoration. Need a bit of space, adjust the lace.


#6. Striped Swimsuits
Swimwear always includes patterns, and one of the most predominantly seen patterns on the summer 2018 swimwear runways was stripes. One- and two-piece options came in striped prints, some placed strategically, some covering the entirety of the swimsuit.

The 10 Hottest Trends From Miami Swim Fashion Week

There's good news and bad news. The bad news is that most of the swimsuits that walked the runway at Miami Swim Fashion Week will not be available to buy until 2017. The good news is that many of the trends that made this season so fun and sexy are available right now. You just have to know what you're looking for.

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1 Bridal

 

Lacy and white — perfect for the tropical honeymoon of your dreams.
Clockwise from top left: For Love & Lemons, Beach Riot, Baes and Bikinis, Beach Bunny
 

2 Nude

 

The closest thing to going naked without actually letting all your bits hang out.
Clockwise from top left: Casa Indah, Beach Riot, Hot-As-Hell, Kay & Elle
 

3 Sheer Cutouts

Bold colors and graphic shapes combine to make some seriously sexy one-pieces.
Clockwise from top left: G Saints, For Love & Lemons, Filthy Haanz, Cirone Swim

 

4 One-Shoulder

 

Make sure you wear lots of sunscreen. Those asymmetic tan lines can be a real bitch.
Clockwise from top left: Mint Swim, Myra Swim, Gottex, Sirenes De Soleil, Invista
 

5 (Sky-)High Cut

 

Cut high on the bottom and low on the top, these suits are sexier than even the tiniest bikinis.
Clockwise from top left: Myra Swim, Filthy Haanz, Hot-As-Hell, Sirenes De Soleil
 

6 Strappy Bottoms

 

Like a string bikini on steroids.
Clockwise from top left: OMG Swimwear, Hammock, G Saints, Issa de' Mar

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7 Wrap-Around Tops

 

This season's take on the basic triangle top.
Clockwise from top left: For Love & Lemons, Gottex, Frankie's Bikinis, Versakini x Amanda Perna
 

8 Side Lacing

 

There's no such thing as too many straps.
Clockwise from top left: Kaohs, Blue Life, Issa de' Mar, Frankie's Bikinis
 

9 Crop Tops

 

The next evolution in the high-neck bikini trend, which, by the way, is still totally hot for 2017.
Clockwise from top left: Hammock, Chromat, Indah Clothing, Mink Swim

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10 Tassels

 

A great way to add a little shimmy and shake to your usual beach strut.
Clockwise from top left: Lybethras, Beach Riot, Silvia Ulson, Hammock

How to Put on a Bikini

Are you ready to put on your bikini and hit the beach or pool? Putting on a bikini can be a little tricky. There isn't much fabric to work with, but it has to be in just the right place to keep you covered. Learn how to put on your bikini so it stays snug, as well as prep your body so you look and feel great in your swimwear.​

Steps

Part 1

Putting On Your Bikini

1. 
   Get undressed from head to toe. Bikinis are meant to bare a lot of skin, so go ahead and get undressed. Remove your bra and underwear, too. Don't attempt to wear your bikini over underwear, since it will be nearly impossible to keep your underwear from peeking out when you're active at the beach or pool.      
2. 
   Pull on the bikini bottoms. Bikini bottoms usually provide the same amount of coverage as bikini-style underwear. The top edge of the bikini bottoms should sit along your hips, crossing over each hip bone below your belly button. In the back, they should hug your bottom tightly. Depending on the style you're wearing, they'll provide either full or partial cheek coverage.
• Your bikini bottoms should not sag or droop. If they feel loose, you need a smaller size.
• They also shouldn't cut into your skin and cause bulging. If they do, try a size up.
3. 
   Fasten the bikini top below your breasts. Put on the top as you would put on a bra, fastening the band around your chest first. It might help to put the top on backward so you can fasten the band in the front, then slide it around to position it correctly with the cups in the front.
• If it's a string bikini, first tie a tight knot, then tie the ends in a bow. Tie it so that the bikini will stay in place, but not so tight that it cuts off your circulation.
• If the band of your bikini top is loose enough to easily slip your hand through, either tie it tighter or go down a size. If it's so tight that you feel uncomfortable, go up a size.
4. 
   Adjust the cups. Rest your breasts right in the center of each cup, to keep them securely in place there. Make sure the fabric of the cups completely covers your breasts; if they feel tight, or your breasts and bulging out from the sides, you might want to go up a size. If they feel loose, try a size lower or choose a padded top. Here are the different types of bikini tops, and how to fasten them properly:
• Triangle top: This style provides the least amount of support and coverage, and it works best for smaller breasts. Make sure your breasts are positioned in the centers of the triangles. If your top has sliding triangles, slide them over your breasts to make sure the fabric covers your breasts entirely.
• Halter top: This style provides a more support, making it a good choice for bigger breasts. Position your breasts in the center of each cup, and stretch the cups around your breasts for maximum coverage.
• Bandeau top: This style is strapless, so make sure you choose the right size so that your top won't slide up or down. Adjust the top so that your breasts fit into the center of the cups. It should hug your chest quite firmly; if it sags or droops, you may need to go down a size or choose a different style top.
• Underwire top: This style is similar to a bra, and fits much the same way. Position the underwires so that they sit right beneath your breasts, then lower your breasts into the cups.
5. 
   Adjust the straps. It's important to adjust the straps so that they keep your bikini top secure and provide support for your breasts. You want the straps to be tight enough to hold your bikini top in place, but not so tight that they dig into your shoulders. Your bikini top should feel as comfortable as a bra.
• Adjust bra-style bikini straps just as you would regular bra straps. Use the plastic slides on the straps to loosen or tighten them.
• If the straps are strings you need to tie, it might take a few tries before you're able to tie the knots just right. They should be tight enough to provide support for your breasts, but not so tight they cut into your shoulders. Tie the ends of the strings into bows.
• Some bikini tops are styled as halters, with two strings that are tied right at the nape of your neck. Again, make sure you tie the strings tight enough to support your breasts without being uncomfortable.
• If you find that you aren't able to adjust the straps in a way that allows your breasts to be well-supported without causing pain in your shoulders or neck, you may need a different style top. Try a traditional bra-style top with an underwire for maximum support.
6. 
   Take a walk around the room to check for slipping and discomfort. Try skipping and jumping, too. You're going to be having fun in the sun, and you don't want to have to worry about your breasts coming loose or your bikini bottoms slipping down. Make adjustments where necessary so you can wear your bikini confidently all day long.    

Part 2

Wearing it Comfortably

1. 
   Consider removing hair around your bikini line. It might help you feel more confident to know that no hairs will poke out from your bikini bottoms as you're laying out in the sun or swimming in your bikini. Trimming and shaving is a popular way to do it, since it's inexpensive and not painful. You can also consider waxing the area if you plan ahead.
• To figure out what hair to remove, put on your bikini bottoms and check out the hair that pokes out around the edges. You want to remove enough hair so that your bottoms adequately cover everything that's left.
• Some people also like to remove leg and armpit hair to feel bikini ready.
2. 
   Exfoliate your skin. Since wearing a bikini involves showing off your skin, you might want to baby it a little a day or two before it's time to hit the beach or pool. In the bath or shower, use a loofah or exfoliating scrub to exfoliate your arms, legs and everything in between. This will get rid of dry skin and give you a healthy glow.
• Use gentle circular motions to exfoliate your skin, rather than scrubbing too hard.
• Don't forget your back and other hard to reach areas. Use a scrub brush to get to the places you can't easily reach.
3. 
   Use a rich moisturizer. After exfoliating, apply your favorite moisturizing lotion to protect your skin from drying out. Your skin will be soft and gleaming when it's time to put on your bikini. As an alternative to moisturizer, try coconut or olive oil to soften your skin.
4. 
   Don't forget your sunscreen. Wearing a bikini means using a lot of sunscreen, since most of your body will be exposed to the sun's rays. Apply sunscreen with SPF 16 or higher five to ten minutes before going out into the sun, and reapply as necessary throughout the day. Wearing plenty of sunscreen will prevent you from ending up with a painful burn and provide protection against sun spots and skin cancer.
• Try waterproof sunscreen if you're going to be swimming. You'll still need to reapply it more than once throughout the day.
• If you're trying to get a tan, you should still wear sunscreen. Sunscreen prevents you from getting burned, but it doesn't completely stop the sun from affecting your skin. It's much better to get a gradual tan than to get burned first.
5. 
   Take along a coverup. You may not feel like being exposed to the sun and other elements the entire time you're at the beach or pool. Bring along a cute coverup you can throw over your bikini whenever you want. As a bonus, it will protect your skin from the sun, so you won't have to worry about slathering your entire body in sunscreen when you wear it.

How to Make your Own Bikinis

Making your own swimsuit can be a fun way to completely personalize your swimming experience that goes far beyond accessorizing. Frankly, making your own suit can also save you quite a bit of money on even the lowest-priced of pre-made swimsuits. Whether you are a novice or experienced sewer, below you can find a quick guide to finding the right patterns and materials to help you make your own fun, stylish swimsuit this summer.

The first step in making your own swimsuit is finding a good pattern. If this is your first homemade swimsuit, you will want to choose a simple pattern, such as a triangle bikini, basic tank-style, monokini, one-piece suit, brazilian bikini. Whenever using high-spandex fabric (including most swimsuit fabric), the pattern can and should be very simple. Spandex fabric is meant to mold around a person’s shape; therefore, measurements do not always have to be precise. While most fabric companies will offer some swimsuit patterns, the best two companies for swimsuit and active wear patterns are Kwik Sew and Stretch & Sew. These patterns come in a wide variety of sizes and styles and take torso length into consideration. Torso length is one of the most important aspects of getting a great fit in a homemade swimsuit.

Once you have a pattern, you will need to select a fabric for your swimsuit. Swimsuit fabrics come in a large variety of colors and prints. When buying your fabric, make sure to choose a color or print that you will feel comfortable wearing, that will look good on your body and when wet, and that has the appropriate amount of stretch. Your swimsuit pattern should come with a guide to determine the fabric’s amount of stretch. Swimsuit fabrics come in both four-way and two-way stretch styles. Four-way stretch styles tend to be heavier and a little more expensive and do not run. Either material should work well for your swimsuit, provided you take good care of it. Be sure to buy an extra amount of fabric so you can sew some test pieces with elastics and make any necessary alterations to the swimsuit.

Next, you will need lining to ensure that your swimsuit remains modestly opaque when wet. Most fabric stores carry swimsuit lining in close proximity to the swimsuit fabric. You should find a lining that has the same amount or more stretch as your chosen swimsuit fabric. Because swimsuit linings come in a limited amount of colors, choose a lining that matches the color of your suit as closely as possible. If your fabric is fairly dark in color, you may need only a small amount of lining for the crotch of the suit, but, generally, a front lining is necessary.

After choosing fabric and lining, you will need to purchase elastic for the armholes, leg holes, straps, and neck hole, as well as thread to sew the swimsuit together. You will want to buy elastic that is specially formulated for swimsuit use, as this elastic is more likely to withstand chlorine and maintain its elasticity for a greater amount of time. Cotton-wrapped elastic is the most common and easiest to work with. You will want to select the 3/8 inch width for the leg, neck, and armholes and the _ inch width for the straps. In order to ensure the durability of your suit, you should use a polyester thread or texturized nylon thread in both the needle and the bobbin of your sewing machine. Be creative with the color of your thread, as you can also use this thread to add decorative stitching to your suit and personalize it to an even greater extent.

Once you have all of the necessary materials to make your swimsuit, you are ready to starting cutting and sewing. Be sure to follow the instructions on your chosen pattern carefully, no matter your expertise in sewing. Swimsuit pattern layouts look quite different than other patterns. Your pattern should offer helpful tips and shortcuts for cutting and sewing your swimsuit.

Following your swimsuit pattern should result in a good product for your homemade swimsuit. However, be sure to remember some simple rules when sizing your suit. Follow the size layout on the pattern, but always try the suit on for a final fitting before sewing. Also, remember that swimsuits do tend to enlarge a bit when wet so make sure the initial size is not too large. Finally, enjoy the experience of making a swimsuit that is completely personalized for you!

Stop washing your swimsuits! The right way to clean your bathing suit

Bathing suits are somewhat on the expensive side of clothing and learning how to take care of them will help keep you looking great all season long. Whether you wear a swimsuit daily or just on occasion, the fabric can take a real hard beating from pool chemicals, the sun, sand, temperatures and lotions. So what is the right way to clean your swimsuit? How do you wash a bathing suit?

Wash It Right Away Or Your Suit May Stink

The most important thing you can do when cleaning a swimsuit is to rinse it off right after wearing, then wash it well when you get home. This will minimize the amount of time the fabric is exposed to harsh agents like sunscreen, perspiration, salt, and chlorine. Not to mention how intimately close your bathing suit has been to your body. The quicker you wash it the less likely your swimwear will smell like chlorine, the beach or just plain stink. The easiest way to do this is to wear your suit into the shower

Wash Your Bathing Suit By Hand

The agitation of a washing machine can damage the fabrics even if set on the gentle cycle. The dyes in the fabrics are also more likely to run and potentially ruin your other summer clothes. In fact washing your swimsuit in the washing machine is probably the worst thing you could do to a piece of women’s swimwear. Bathing suits need gentle love and care. 

Follow this guide for cleaning your swimwear and your swimsuits will look like new longer.

Don’t Use Laundry Detergent, You’ll Regret It Later

Many guides out there say to use a little bit of detergent to clean your bathing suits. But laundry detergents are far too harsh for most spandex swimwear and will often cause the color to fade, especially brighter colors. Even just a little bit of detergent can lead to color fading. And even on white bathing suits never use bleach! Instead use mild hand soap that doesn’t have added moisturizers. This will help that new bathing suit last much longer.

Despite Every Instinct To Do So Don’t Wring Out Your Swimsuit

It is very tempting to do this but you need to resist. Wringing your suit is the fastest way to wear it out so the spandex loses its shape and elasticity. Lay it flat on a towel and roll the towel up and squeeze gently. Remove it from the towel and lay it flat to dry.

It Should Go Without Saying, Don’t Use A Dryer on your Bathing Suit

The constant tumbling of a dryer combined with the excessive heat are a quick way to ruin your favorite swim piece.

 How Else Shouldn’t You Dry It?

This may surprise you but it’s best not to hang your swimwear to dry as water pooling at the bottom will stretch out the fibers. Dry the suit indoors or in the shade. Direct sun will fade the colors. Don’t dry it over an air conditioner as you’ll likely make the whole room smell of damp bathing suit. Mmmmmm lovely.

What If You Don’t Have Enough Time To Dry It?

If you must dry your bathing suit quickly, you can use your hair dryer. Just make sure that it’s set to blow cool air. If it doesn’t have time to dry, stuff your wet suit in a plastic bag before you pack it up, it’s a good idea to poke a few holes in the bag for ventilation and then wrap a T-shirt or towel around it to catch any drips. You’d be amazed how quickly mold starts to grow without the ventilation.

Let It Rest

You probably know that Women’s swimwear is typically made from spandex fabric. But did you know spandex is actually a memory fabric? This means when it gets stretched out it goes back to it’s original shape. Make sure you give your bathing suit a break. It usually takes about a day for a swim piece to get back to its normal condition. So don’t wear the same swimsuit on consecutive days. Alternating between suits will allow them to breathe and return to their original shape. Besides, you probably have a bunch of beautiful designer women’s swimwear in your wardrobe just waiting to be worn!

Washing and drying your beachwear can be a laborious task, but it will help make your favorite swimsuit last much longer and help you save money on your summer wardrobe. Remember, it’s a really good idea to have more than one suit when you go somewhere because you should never ever wear a damp swimsuit. Damp one pieces and bikinis are a prime place for bacteria and mold, and it’s is a good way to get a nasty skin rash or even an infection. So if you’re buying a new bathing suit just to be on the safe side, you might as well buy two or three.

What is the swimsuit

Swimwear is clothing designed to be worn by people engaging in a water-based activity or water sports, such as swimming, diving and surfing, or sun-orientated activities, such as sun bathing. Different types may be worn by men, women, and children. Swimwear is described by a number of names, some of which are used only in particular locations, including swimsuit, bathing costume,swimming costume, bathing suit, swimming suit, swimmers, swimming togs, bathers, cossie (short for “costume”), or swimming trunks for men, besides others.

A swimsuit can be worn as an undergarment in sports that require a wetsuit such as water skiing, scuba diving, surfing, and wakeboarding. Swimsuits may also be worn to display the wearer’s physical attributes, as in the case of beauty pageants or bodybuilding contests, and glamour photography and magazines like the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue feature models and sports personalities in swimsuits.

There is a very wide range of styles of modern swimsuits available, which vary as to body coverage and materials. The choice of style may depend on community standards of modesty, as well as current fashions and personal preferences. Swimwear for men usually exposes the chest, while suits for women do not.

Contents

1Materials

2Swimsuit styles2.1Unisex styles2.2Women’s swimsuits2.3Men’s swimsuits

3Body coverage

4Competitive swimwear

5Swimwear and hygiene

6History6.1Pre-20th century6.220th century

7Alternatives to swimsuits

8See also

9References

10External links

Materials

Rayon was used in the 1920s in the manufacture of tight-fitting swimsuits,[1] but its durability, especially when wet, proved problematic,[2] with jersey and silk also sometimes being used.[3]

In the 1930s, new materials were being developed and use in swimwear, particularly latex and nylon, and swimsuits gradually began hugging the body.[4]

Swimsuit styles

In western culture, men’s swimsuit styles include boardshorts, jammers, swim trunks, briefs or “speedos”, thongs, and g-strings, in order of decreasing lower body coverage.

Women’s swimsuits are generally described as one-piece, monokini, bikinis, or thongs. While they go through many trends in pattern, length and cut there is not much modification to the original variety of suit. A recent innovation is the burqini, favored by some Muslim women, which covers the whole body and head (but not face) in a manner similar to a diver’s wetsuit. These are an updated version of full-body swimwear, which has been available for centuries, but conforms withIslam’s traditional emphasis on modest dress. In Egypt, the term “Sharia swimsuit” is used to describe full-body swimwear.[5]

Neoprene Makes Waves as the Summer's Hottest Swimsuit

Neoprene. It sounds like something you might put in your gas tank, but it's really the hottest suit at the beach this season—in every respect. Earlier this year, curvaceous model Elle Macpherson sported a black, thigh-high neoprene number on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, and at that point there was no turning back. From the chichi Hamptons to the funky boardwalks of Venice Beach, America's tautest bodies are now on the prowl in skimpy somethings made of rubbery stuff that used to be strictly wet-suit material. 

"There's something escapist in the look—attractive, sexy, adventurous," says Macy's fashion director, Joan Kaner. Observes Robin Piccone, designer for Body Glove, a Los Angeles-based manufacturer that was first on the beach with neoprene in 1986: "Women who wear these suits look like they belong in a James Bond movie." This year Body Glove, now competing for the wet-suit-look market with Too Hot Brazil and Jag, expects to pull in $12 million from neoprene alone. 

Basic frogman black is a favorite with customers, but so are suits in Day Glo colors including fuchsia, lime, yellow and turquoise. Besides the classic one-piece, neoprene also comes in bustier bikinis and cropped tops with tiny, zip-front skirts. Prices are generally in the $50 range. 

The look may be chic, but the style has its drawbacks. Pure neoprene is too heavy for sunbathing, so manufacturers were forced to cook up a thinner version—a rubber product bonded to nylon. Yet even the substitute is for masochists only. The fabric doesn't breathe, and on hot days it tends to deep-fry the wearer. Some women have complained that the synthetic rubber gives them rashes. "Neoprene isn't real comfortable," concedes Katy Nishida, a Santa Monica teenager. "It's mostly for looks. But it's very sexy." 

If neoprene survives in the swimsuit market, vanity will deserve all the credit. Among other things, the fabric offers the old-fashioned control Grandma used to get from a girdle. "The better your body, the better you'll look," advises Joan Kaner, "but these suits offer support. No one has to be centerfold material to wear them."