Beachwear has long since ceased to be limited to a choice between a classic bikini and a simple one-piece swimsuit. Contemporary collections show that swimwear can be just as thoughtfully designed as a dress, a blazer or a sports jacket. It’s not just the colour and pattern that matter, but also the construction, the neckline, the waistline, the way the straps are designed, and the fabric, which should perform well both in and out of the water.

Designers are increasingly drawing on retro aesthetics, sports-inspired elements and minimalist forms. Particularly noticeable is the return of the 1990s aesthetic, which is once again bringing high-cut legs, clean lines, solid colours and understated details back into beachwear fashion. As a result, a single season can feature geometric swimsuits, high-cut styles reminiscent of old-fashioned seaside resorts, and bikinis with bold cut-outs and asymmetrical details.

The classic one-piece swimsuit remains one of the most versatile items in beachwear. Its simple design is ideal for swimming, but a well-designed style can also resemble an elegant bodysuit. A deeper neckline, an asymmetrical shoulder, decorative draping or cut-outs are enough to give this sporty base a completely different character. The variety of one-piece styles and ways of styling them also shows that such a swimsuit is increasingly serving as a purely fashion-oriented item of clothing.

A bikini offers greater freedom of combination. A bandeau top can be paired with classic bottoms, a high-cut bottom or high-waisted bottoms. This latter style has made a particularly strong comeback in contemporary collections. We’ve already written about how the high-waisted bikini has evolved and why a cut once associated primarily with a retro aesthetic has once again become part of current fashion.

An alternative is the tankini, in which a longer top combines the features of a bikini and a one-piece swimsuit. Alongside this, we’re also seeing swim dresses, sporty styles and designs with a more covered-up top. When looking at contemporary swimwear, it is easy to see that the differences today concern not only designs, but also the way the bust is supported, the width of the straps and the degree to which the figure is covered.

The most popular designs can be divided into several basic groups:

• one-piece swimsuits, which combine stability with considerable freedom in the design of the neckline and back,
• bikinis with a classic or high-waisted cut, allowing you to choose the top and bottom separately,
• tankinis, which provide greater coverage of the torso without sacrificing the two-piece design,
• sports styles with wider straps and firmer support,
• styles featuring cut-outs, asymmetry and ties, which serve primarily as fashion statements.

A cut that works in harmony with your figure

In a well-designed swimsuit, even the smallest detail affects comfort. Wide straps distribute weight differently to thin straps, whilst an adjustable design allows for a more precise fit of the top. Soft cups, underwires, an extra layer of fabric and a well-positioned underbust band are also important.

The bottom half of the swimsuit also behaves differently. A high-cut leg line visually elongates the proportions, whilst a more covered-up style provides greater stability when moving. A high waistline emphasises the centre of the figure more strongly, whilst a classic low-rise cut leaves more of the body exposed.

Increasingly, however, functionality does not mean sacrificing decorative elements. Ruffles can add texture to the fabric, contrasting trims emphasise the design, and ties and metal details become an integral part of the design. As a result, the line between a sports swimsuit and a typical fashion piece becomes much less clear.

Polyamide, polyester and elastane. What does the fabric offer?

The appearance of the garment is only one part of the design. The fabric must retain its shape when wet, allow for freedom of movement and dry relatively quickly. For this reason, synthetic fibres dominate swimwear, primarily polyamide and polyester combined with elastane.

Polyamide is lightweight, smooth and elastic, which is why it works well in close-fitting designs. Polyester is valued, amongst other things, for its durability and the ability to create striking prints. The addition of elastane, on the other hand, is responsible for the fabric’s stretch and its ability to return to its original shape.

Recycled fibres are also appearing more and more frequently in new collections. However, the origin of the raw material alone does not replace the quality of the construction. The fabric’s weight, tensile strength, colour fastness and the finish of the seams remain crucial. The garment’s subsequent life cycle is also important, as the regulations in force in Poland concerning textiles and their reuse include, amongst other things, separate collection and measures to support the recycling of materials.

In swimwear designed for regular swimming, resistance to chlorine is an additional consideration, whilst a holiday swimsuit may prioritise softness and a more decorative style. It is also worth paying attention to the lining, the elasticity of the seams and the quality of the edge finishing, as it is precisely these elements that largely determine how the swimsuit holds up after repeated contact with water.

Beachwear goes beyond the beach

Contemporary swimwear is increasingly being used as part of a summer outfit. A one-piece can be treated like a bodysuit and paired with loose-fitting trousers, shorts or a skirt. A bikini worn under an unbuttoned linen shirt, in turn, creates a simple outfit that works just as well on the beach, the promenade or at a seaside restaurant.

The colour palette is also changing. Alongside classic black, navy and red, we’re seeing earth tones, pastels, bold cobalt and intense green. Some designers are opting for monochrome designs, whilst others are using large floral motifs, geometric patterns and contrasting colour-blocking.

The ability to use a single item in several different ways is playing an increasingly important role. A bikini top can be worn as a crop top, whilst a one-piece swimsuit works well paired with a skirt or wide-leg trousers. Beachwear therefore does not exist in isolation from the rest of the wardrobe, but adopts the same colours, proportions and inspirations found in collections designed for everyday wear.

PARTNER ARTICLE